Be inclusive and accept diversity: Queen to Commonwealth

As 53 countries, including India today celebrated the Commonwealth Day, Queen Elizabeth has underlined that being "inclusive" and accepting "diversity" will go far deeper than acknowledging "differences at face value and being tolerant.
In her message on 'Commonwealth Day 2016', the 89 year- old British monarch said the wisdom of mutual respect for each other, is set out in the Commonwealth Charter.
"Its opening words, "We the people of the Commonwealth" convey the conviction that individuals, as well as governments, build and shape our success.
"Being inclusive and accepting diversity goes far deeper than accepting differences at face value and being tolerant. True celebration of the dignity of each person, and the value of their uniqueness and contribution, involves reaching out, recognising and embracing their individual identity," she said in her message.

The theme 'An Inclusive Commonwealth' is an inspiration for all, she said, adding that "Let us give it practical effect by supporting those in need and those who feel excluded in all walks of life. By doing so, we will continue to build a truly representative Commonwealth community."
She noted that wherever one lives in the 53-member Commonwealth, "we can always benefit from being open to the ideas and encouragement of those around us. Each of us can also make a positive difference in the lives of others by being willing to contribute and offer support."

"This is an essential ingredient of belonging to the Commonwealth: the willingness to share, to exchange and to act for the common good.

"By including others, drawing on collective insights, knowledge and resources, and thinking and working together, we lay the foundations of a harmonious and progressive society.
"The greater the diversity of those included in such a shared enterprise, the greater the gains. Each of us has cause to celebrate the sense of belonging expressed in our 2016 theme: 'An Inclusive Commonwealth'," she added.
In his Commonwealth Day message, Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, said: "Globalisation, the digital revolution and interdependence make us both a rapidly compacting but also colliding world.
"The strengths of the Commonwealth were never needed more to assert fairness in global outcomes and trust in the richness of our human identities," he said.

The Commonwealth, a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries with no historical ties to Britain, represents 2.3 billion people, of which 60 per cent are under 30.
Members include Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa.