Jamaica to Mark Commonwealth Day with Exhibition and Mock Youth Parliament

The Houses of Parliament will observe Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 13, with an exhibition and a mock youth ceremonial opening of Parliament.
The exhibition, which will be mounted in the Chamber Lobby at Gordon House, will depict the Commonwealth of Nations and activities of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, of which Jamaica is a member.
According to the Acting Clerk to the Houses, Heather Cooke, the mock ceremonial opening will feature an address representing the Throne Speech by the Governor General, presentations by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Michael Peart; Leader of the Opposition, Bruce Golding; Ambassador Courtney Walsh, and a representative from the Ministry of Health. Members of the public are asked to be seated by 10:00 a.m. Commonwealth Day 2006 is being observed under the theme: ‘Health and Vitality – The Commonwealth Challenge’.
The theme reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to assist in promoting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in reducing child mortality and maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; empowering women; and ensuring environmental sustainability.