Key values outlined as Commonwealth charter is commemorated

Dar es Salaam. The British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr David Concar, said yesterday that the Commonwealth Charter was introduced in 2013 to capture member countries’ key values of democracy, rule of law, sustainability, peace, and security, as well as equality.

Mr Concar said these values are very important to ensure people’s wellbeing and meet the aspirations of the youth.

The High Commissioner was speaking yesterday at his residence during the Commonwealth Day 2023 celebrations with the theme Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future.

“There is the issue of climate change, which also matters among young people,” Mr Concar noted.

The Commonwealth Day 2023 was also an opportunity to commemorate 10 years of the Commonwealth Charter.

During the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Samwel Shelukindo, said the theme brings reflection about the state of the Commonwealth and the youth in the world.

“They include challenges and prospects for the youth that constitute the majority in most African and Asian countries,” he said.

The Rwanda Ambassador to Tanzania, Major General Charles Karamba, said during a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, that it was agreed that the youth were now supposed to lead.

“Naturally, we know that when mobilised, the youth’s power is massive,” he said.

The regional head of the Commonwealth Youth Climate Changer Network, Ms Khadija Ramadhan, said plans were afoot to increase awareness on issues of climate change among Tanzanian youth.

“Despite the efforts we are making to address the challenges of climate change, we have concerns that the majority of the youth are unaware of,” she said.

“This day reminds us that next year we are supposed to engage more youth on issues of climate change,” she said.