COMMONWEALTH DAY 2009 AND THE COMMONWEALTH AT 60

That this House marks Commonwealth Day on 9 March; notes the importance of the theme for 2009, which is The Commonwealth at 60 - serving a new generation; believes that the Commonwealth is well placed to work with governments and development partners to support young people, being an organisation of great diversity, which includes countries of different sizes in all continents and with a shared commitment to human welfare, political rights and parliamentary democracy; and supports the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK branch's intensive programme of international conferences, exchanges and activities, and the Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedures, 1 to 13 March 2009, which strengthen parliamentary democracy and contribute greatly to the international parliamentary outreach work of the Houses of Parliament.