Commonwealth Day Message by Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth

This Commonwealth Day, a baton will set out from Buckingham Palace and begin a long
and extraordinary journey. Over the next twelve months, the Baton will visit people
living in the nations and territories of our Commonwealth family in every continent and
ocean.

Carried on its way by thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds, by the time it
reaches its final destination, The Queen’s Baton will have brought together through its
route and symbolism, almost 2.5 billion people who share the special connection of being
Commonwealth citizens.

Contained within the Baton will be a written message that will be opened and read at the
Commonwealth Games in Australia next year. However, there is an even more powerful
message to be seen and experienced as the Baton passes from hand to hand, from
seashore to mountaintop, through cities, towns, and villages. It is the message of a
peace-building Commonwealth.

The cornerstones on which peace is founded are, quite simply, respect and understanding
for one another. Working together, we build peace by defending the dignity of every
individual and community.

By upholding justice and the rule of law, and by striving for societies that are fair and
offer opportunities for all, we overcome division and find reconciliation, so that the
benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared.

As members of the Commonwealth family we can find much to be thankful for in the
inheritances we have received from those who came before us. Through consensus and
cooperation great things have been achieved.

We can find further reward and fulfilment by continuing to collaborate with others in a
spirit of goodwill to build a peaceful and abundant future for all Commonwealth citizens.

END

IMAGE: Elizabeth in 2015 Wikipedia