Commonwealth Flag raised at LCCC Civic Headquarters.
March 14, 2022
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council officially celebrated Commonwealth Day on Monday 14th March 2022 by raising The Commonwealth Flag at Lagan Valley Island.
Mayor Alderman Stephen Martin led the event as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Mr David McCorkell raised the flag. In attendance also were County Antrim High Sheriff, Mr John Anthony Lockett OBE, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP and Elected Members. The Mayor was delighted to also welcome Mrs Sarah McNirlan and children from Brooklands Primary School, Dundonald.
2022 marks 45 years since Commonwealth Day became a global celebration, marked annually by the 52 members. Commonwealth Day 2022 centres around the theme for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – 'Delivering a Common Future' – which highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP read the Commonwealth Day Message from Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, which said: “After the change and challenge of the past two years, it is fitting that, in such a momentous year for the Commonwealth, we can meet once again as a family to celebrate our special day.
“In this year of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, we value the opportunity to pay tribute to her unparalleled service. Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has been the epitome of duty, stability and wisdom supported by HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, who is sorely missed, inspiring profound global admiration and affection.
“The scale and pace of technological, economic, social and cultural transformation which have marked the decades since her accession underline the Commonwealth’s own journey.
“Convened after the upheaval and turmoil of the Second World War to “bring a touch of healing” to our relationships, the modern Commonwealth of 54 nations – still rooted in those kinships – stretches across six continents and five oceans.
“Today, we renew the values that bind us, enshrined in our charter, of democracy; peace; human rights; equality; tolerance, respect and understanding; stewardship; promotion of youth and protection of the vulnerable.”
Mayor Alderman Stephen Martin read the affirmation which said: “We affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity. We affirm our respect for nature, and that we will be stewards of the earth by caring for every part of it, and for it as a whole.
“We affirm our belief in justice for everyone, and peace among peoples and nations. Joining together in kinship and affinity, in diversity and unity, as members of a worldwide family of nations, we build on shared inheritances. We cooperate with mutual respect and goodwill to deliver a common future for the good of all.”
“Through Commonwealth connection we learn from one another, and innovate to transform our communities, our nations and our world.”
Caption: (L-R) LCCC Chief Executive David Burns, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Mr David McCorkell, Mayor Alderman Stephen Martin, County Antrim High Sheriff, Mr John Anthony Lockett OBE and children from Brooklands Primary School, Dundonald.