Fifty-three countries marked Commonwealth Day on Monday, under the theme ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’.

This year’s theme celebrates the diversity of the Commonwealth, which is made up of more than two billion people.

Every person is different, and each has something unique to offer. The Commonwealth Charter asserts that everyone is equal and deserves to be treated fairly, whether they are rich or poor, without regard to their race, age, gender, beliefs or other identity.

The Commonwealth builds a better world by including and respecting everybody and the richness of their personalities.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma says: “An inclusive Commonwealth refers to the values of tolerance, respect and understanding, as well as equity and fairness, set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and the richness of the Commonwealth as a family of nations in which each member state is valued equally and has an equal voice.

“In changing times, the need for the Commonwealth to act as an inclusive network for mutual support, development and growth of opportunity and rights for all is as great as ever.”

Youth Parliament members hosted their annual summit at XL’s offices as a part of the global Commonwealth celebrations.

Youth Parliament members in attendance were Aminah Simmons, Ore Basemosi, Bathsheba Jones, Rakaya Simmons, Taj Donville-Outerbridge, Zaji Smith, Ajai Peets, Stefano Ausenda, Thèo Wolffe, Chaziah Brown, Halle Teart, and Zantae Dill.

Students who attended from various high schools were Marissa Trott, Israel Bennett, Kashantae Smith and Desire Simmons from CedarBridge Academy; Kadaisha Fox, Jahnya Williams and Francis Mussenden from Warwick Academy; Ka’Ri Richards and Charis Pitcher from Clearwater Middle School; Casey Schuler, Colby Mapp and Trey Maybury from Saltus Grammar School; Shane White, Nkenge Boyles, Lauren De Sousa and Yassine Chentouf from Somersfield Academy.

Others present included Michelle Morris and Dawn Broadbelt, the Youth Parliament advisers, and Tyrone McHardy, Zina Francis-Smith and Alicia Jones, advisers from the schools.

The students started the day with a PowerPoint presentation entitle “The Meaning of Commonwealth Day (Inclusive Commonwealth)” followed by an ice-breaking session.

Dame Jennifer Smith shared the knowledge and experiences that helped her to earn her place in history as the first Progressive Labour Party Premier, the first female Senator and the first female Deputy Speaker.

Sarah Fellows of Young Observer and Russell Lister, an alumni of the Youth Parliament, facilitated a 4Cs (critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration and communication) workshop with the students.

The young people then completed their day with a debate, “Why homework should be banned”.