Media
Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on the occasion of Commonwealth Day March 13, 2006March 10, 2006 “It is a great pleasure for me to join with all Canadians in this year’s celebration of Commonwealth Day. The theme for 2006, “Health and Vitality—the Commonwealth Challenge”, is a test on both an individual and global scale. On a personal level, there is much we can do to improve our own fitness and well-being. We can choose to make time to pursue interests that enhance our physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural experiences in life. Globally, the task is more daunting, but it is absolutely critical; there is much work to be done. Among the Commonwealth nations, there are still several countries that have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. And more than half the people living with HIV/AIDS across the globe are in fact Commonwealth citizens. While these are sobering realities, there is hope that from the combined strength of our knowledge, our experiences, and our ideas, developing nations will be able to chart a steady course on the road to prosperity, health and well-being. Our athletes represent the pinnacle of what can be accomplished with tremendous self-discipline and a dedication to supreme physical and mental fitness. The recent success of our Olympic athletes, the focused determination of our Paralympic athletes currently competing in Torino, and the eager readiness of our Commonwealth competitors for the upcoming Games in Melbourne are all inspirations to Canadians who strive to challenge and better themselves. Together, we must embody hope for humanity. It is our collective responsibility in this new global environment to meet these challenges head-on. Commonwealth Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate our solidarity and to renew our commitment to greater international dialogue and co-operation.” -30- Media information |
