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| March 2010 | View as a webpage |
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With Commonwealth week fast approaching, this is always a busy and exciting time at the RCS. I know many of you are planning your own celebrations and we would love to hear about them. As our Youth Summits gather momentum and our 2010 Young Competitions are launched, we are grateful for the unstinting support and enthusiasm shown by branches. Your involvement will be particularly crucial to the success of Nakabom 2010 and I encourage you to find out more about this below. In the meantime, it only remains for me to wish you all a very happy Commonwealth Day! Danny Sriskandarajah | Director |
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News |
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Commonwealth Day CelebrationsCommonwealth Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday in March. In London, the RCS organises the Commonwealth Day Observance at Westminster Abbey on behalf of the Council of Commonwealth Societies. The largest inter-faith gathering of its kind in the UK, the Observance is attended by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. This year, they will be joined by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as more than 1,000 school children. Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda will also attend. In 2010, the theme will be 'Science, Technology and Society'. Young scientists from India, Kenya and Malawi are flying in with the generous support of the Wellcome Trust and musical performances from around the globe will add to a vibrant, colourful celebration. To find out more, click here. |
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Young Competitions: A thank you to branchesWhen 40 footballs were delivered to our office we guessed they were the 2009 Essay Competition prize generously donated by Charlton Athletic Community Trust. But, faced with the task of transporting these prizes to their winners, we are hugely grateful for the kind assistance of Mr Shawn Wadeand from RCS Mainland of British Columbia Branch in Vancouver and Mr Encik Wan Shah Bany and the RCS Malaysia Branch. As the opening date for entries into the 2010 Essay Competition fast approaches, we would like to remind branches of several alterations to the competition's rules and draw particular attention to new opportunities to sponsor Island or Local prizes. Click here for more details. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm already shown by so many branches, including Mauritius, South Australia, New Zealand, Cayman Islands, Western Australia, Hong Kong, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey to name but a few. |
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Youth Summits: an updateThe first Commonwealth Youth Summit of 2010, took place in Guernsey from 11 to 12 February. The young people, who threw themselves into the debate with such enthusiasm, were truly inspirational. We are hugely grateful for the financial and logistical support provided by RCS Guernsey branch. Click here to see news stories, photos and the final communique from the event. In the coming three weeks, Youth Summits will take place in Bristol, Northampton and Newcastle. Each event will bring together more than 100 young people to play the roles of Commonwealth leaders, foreign minsiters and journalists. (Although some regions are also planning to add Commmonwealth cuisine, music, dance and art into the mix!) The National Youth Summit will take place in London in April. We have prepared new resources for these events which are available to view and download online. Click here. Our long term aim is to develop these into a comprehensive set of flexible teaching and learning Commonwealth materials. |
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Nkabom 2010 is launchedThe Nakabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme will take place in Rwanda from 5 to 15 September 2010. Following on from the success of the 2008 Cyprus Nkabom, we are excited that this year's programme will be bigger and better than ever before. A number of important partners are already on board, reflecting the growing international prestige of the scheme. However, the support of RCS branches will be crucial. We are enormously grateful for the kind offers of sponsorship already received from Canada and Guernsey. Branches can support Nkabom by sponsoring a delegate, or by encouraging young people between the ages of 18 and 25 to apply. Application forms will be available online shortly, but young people can already register their interest on our website. You can find more details: www.thercs.org/youth/nkabom |
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Events in London |
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Tuesday 2 March, 1pm - 2.30pmLunchtime Discussion on KenyaWe will be hosting Hon. Dr Kilemi Mwiria MP, Assistant Minister for Higher Education, Science & Technology for a discussion on how Kenya is placed to achieve economic and social development in the 21st century. This event will begin with a short presentation from the Minister and will then be followed by an open discussion over lunch. Bookings for this event are now closed. |
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Friday 5 and Saturday 6 MarchEast Commonwealth GamesWe are working in partnership with the 2010 East Festival to hold a two-day East Commonwealth Games at Spitalfields Market. Commonwealth Day falls during East Festival on 8 March and this is a chance to celebrate and preview the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October 2010. Games from across the Commonwealth will be played, from bicycle polo to Kabbadi. Entry is free. Click here to find out more... |
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Thursday 4 March, 6pm - 8pmThe Role of the Media in the Zimbabwe TransitionThis event, held in partnership with the Commonwealth Media Group, will begin with a screening of Sue Lloyd Roberts' film on Zimbabwe. A panel discussion on 'The Role of the Media in the Zimbabwe Transition' will follow. Chaired by the Economist's Middle East and Africa Editor, Xan Smiley, speakers will include Tabani Moyo, Advocacy Officer of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). Email ritapayne@hotmail.com or call 07834-845240 to book... |
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Monday 8 March, 4.15pm - 6pmCommonwealth Day Tea PartyThe Commonwealth Day celebrations continue after the Observance with a Tea-Party hosted by the RCS at the Commonwealth Club. After the exhilarating live music of the Observance and the excitement of seeing Her Majesty The Queen, why not join us and wind-down with a drink? Even if you didn't get to attend the Observance, we would still love to see you. Click here to book... |
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Tuesday 9 March, 12 - 1pmSpeech by President Paul Kagame of RwandaDon't miss this opportunity to hear from the President of the Commonwealth's newest member. Paul Kagame will speak about what joining the Commonwealth means to Rwanda and the importance of youth to his country's future. For any interested members and guests, a discussion over a lunch of Rwandan-inspired food will take place after the speech. Click here to book... |
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Thursday 25 March, 6.15pmThe Worldwide Maternal Health Crisis: 42 women of Sierra LeoneWe are delighted to be partnering with Amnesty International UK to bring you this event. Focusing on the 'Manifesto for Motherhood', a report co-written and endorsed by more than 15 NGOs worldwide, this event will explore the worldwide crisis in maternal health. It will also formally open Lee Karen Stow's exhibition (see below for more details). Click here to book... |
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Monday 29 March, 11.45 - 1pmSpeech by Dr Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize WinnerIn the Commonwealth year of 'Science, Technology and Society', we are delighted to host this keynote speech by Dr Venki Ramakrishnan. An Indian-born US citizen, last autumn, Dr Ramakrishnan won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. This event is being run in partnership with the Indian Journalists Association. Click here to book... |
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Wednesday 2 June, 6.30pmSouth African Wine TastingJoin us for a wine tasting with senior winemaker and cellarmaster, Francois van Zyl of Laibach in South Africa. He will guide us through a four course meal and wines in association with Ellis of Richmond. Tickets cost £60 for members and £70 for non-members. Tables for 10 people can be booked for £500. Click here to book... |
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exhibitions |
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Gallery - February 3 to March 12"The Continuum of Art"This innovative exhibition from South African artist, Johan Lamprecht, analyses the underlying technologies of art, ranging from those which are commonplace in the public arena, to art forms of the underground. From photography to code-based work, this exhibition shows us art as we've never seen it before. |
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Gallery - March 17 to April 30"42 Women of Sierra Leone"Following a long and brutal civil war, peace has returned to Sierra Leone. But the country remains shattered by trauma and abject poverty. Photographer Lee Karen Stow captures the images of 42 Sierra Leonean women in a stark reminder that their life expectancy remains just 42. The Opening Event for this exhibition is taking place on 25 March. See above for details. |
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Partners |
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New OpportunitiesThe RCS offers attractive partnership and advertising opportunities through our printed publications, online presence, projects, events and influential networks. For more information please visit the Supporting Us section of the website or contact Zoe Ware on 020 7766 9240. |
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All feedback welcomePlease let us know if you have found this information helpful. Is there anything else you would like to see included? Did you have any issues opening the email? All feedback is welcome. Email Communications Manager, Joanna Bennett at joanna.bennett@thercs.org or call on 020 7766 9230. If you have an issue or query regarding membership, please contact Member Services Assistant, Geyson Relaut at geyson.relaut@thercs.org or by calling 020 7766 9231. If you would prefer not to receive this communication again, please reply with the word unsubscribe in the title.
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