{{Friday, October 28, 2011: the three days Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was officially opened in Perth. The opening ceremony was marked by beautiful dances and music that portray the culture of the hosting country Australia.}}<\/p>\n
The opening ceremony was attended by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who is also head of the Commonwealth, Heads of states and Governments, President Paul Kagame inclusive and also official diplomats from commonwealth member countries. <\/p>\n
In the speech he delivered during the first Executive session, President Kagame thanked governments and officials who facilitated the admission of Rwanda to the Commonwealth. <\/p>\n
His special thanks were addressed to Trinidad and Tobago as well as the commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma.<\/p>\n
He added that Rwanda is contented to be part of the commonwealth and thus embraces the Commonwealth aspirations of mutual respect and understanding that supports cooperation and partnership framed by fair rules equally applicable to all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we work together, we win together\u201d says President Kagame.<\/p>\n
President Kagame, affirmed this fact by elucidating how the economic and political crisis the world has been facing, cast light on the interdependence of the global community. <\/p>\n
Kagame, stated that peace, security and equal opportunities, including gender equality are the keystones of good governance and socio-economic development.<\/p>\n
Her Majest Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating her 60th anniversary as the Head of the<\/p>\n
Commonwealth, said : \u201cAlmost a decade later, we find ourselves confronting new and fresh challenges: insecurity and uncertainty in finance, food supply, climate change, and trade and development.”<\/p>\n
“This Commonwealth meeting is, for its part, the perfect opportunity to address these issues and find responses to today\u2019s crises and challenges\u201d .<\/p>\n
She said that the theme of the year being \u201cWomen as Agents of Change\u201d, calls everyone to determine ways of allowing girls and women to play their full part, and also sustain the theme beyond the year 2011 in their respective country as well as across the commonwealth. <\/p>\n
Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard pointed out that unlike other global bodies united by practical aspects such as commerce or trade, the commonwealth is joined by a different motivation which is \u201cvalues\u201d.
\nShared Values of peace, democracy, racial equality, the rule of law and a commitment to social and economic progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo as the Commonwealth journeys towards its centenary, it is time for renewal.<\/p>\n
To answer the question posed of our organisation \u2013 how do we best pursue our timeless values in a world of change?<\/p>\n
Let us make CHOGM 2011 memorable for answering this question.
\nMemorable for being the Meeting that gave the Commonwealth the direction it needed at a time of global uncertainty and risk\u201d says Gillard<\/p>\n
Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth said, \u201cCHOGMs are an occasion to take the pulse of the Commonwealth, to check that we continue in good health, to review how far we have come in the last two years, and to set signposts for the future\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cCHOGMs have also become the occasion to bring together in celebration the full breadth of our Commonwealth community. All can serve our three aspirations of Democracy, Development and Diversity.” <\/p>\n
“In offering global wisdom and value, we must continue to strive for equity, especially for the rights and causes of the small and the vulnerable, and in the service of our people\u201d. Says Kamalesh Sharma.<\/p>\n
Australia has a remarkable record of serving the Commonwealth. No other country has hosted three CHOGMs. Previous CHOGMS were held in Melbourne 1981 and Coolum in 2002. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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