Commonwealth Day provides an opportunity for the people of the Member States of the Commonwealth to reflect on a range of global issues and on the international cooperation that has been undertaken, and continues to be pursued, among the 53-nation Commonwealth, for the benefit of its 1.8 billion citizens.

Twelve Member States of the Caribbean Community are members of the Commonwealth, cooperating in a wide array of fields anchored by shared values, principles and aims, and linked by common historical ties in social, economic and political terms.

This year, Commonwealth Day is being commemorated with the theme – “Education: creating opportunity, realising potential”. This theme gives timely focus to an area of critical importance in the process of national and regional development, global progress and socio-economic advancement of peoples everywhere.

In CARICOM, education remains an area that continues to receive priority attention in planning and programme implementation and is accepted as a vital component in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. The Community’s goal in this regard is to facilitate the development of creative, healthy, secure and productive CARICOM citizens capable of functioning in a competitive, knowledge-based international environment.

In carrying forward the mandates of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government of 1997 and 2003 for the concerted development of the human resources of the Community, CARICOM continues to give special focus to quality assurance in education at the secondary and tertiary levels under the theme, “Investing in Human Resources for Equity.” As such, specific attention is given to mechanisms for the rationalization of education delivery and assessment.

We in the Caribbean Community use this opportunity to re-affirm our commitment to the educational development of the people of the Region. We also restate CARICOM’s endorsement of the international initiatives that seek to achieve the goal of universal access to quality education especially in poor countries. We consider education a major catalyst for development as well as a potent force in creating opportunity by promoting the accumulation of knowledge, skills and the social and economic empowerment of individuals. The Community remains committed to continuing to utilize education as a tool for the people of the Region to develop their individual and collective potential.

On Commonwealth Day 2005, CARICOM reaffirms the undertakings entered into in the 1996 Memorandum of Understanding between the CARICOM and Commonwealth Secretariats to strengthen the relationship between our two entities. The MOU creates a durable framework in which we continue to advance the joint implementation of projects, the exchange of information, consultations on matters of common interest, and collaboration in the preparation of technical and policy studies. The active participation of CARICOM Member States in the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the Commonwealth Games, and our ongoing cooperation within the Commonwealth in areas such as the promotion of democracy, education, technical and vocational training, information technology, health, and diplomacy continues to be of immense benefit.

The Commonwealth has proven itself to be a valuable and enduring forum for CARICOM Member States to partner with a number of other nations of the world, drawing on shared historical experiences and a common vision of the future to advance cultural, economic and political relations for the benefit of all our peoples. It is in that context that the Caribbean Community is pleased to mark Commonwealth Day 2005.