A diamond miner in South Africa, an engine driver in Australia and a blues musician in Canada are among Manx emigres to the Commonwealth featured in a new exhibition of work by Manx schoolchildren which can now be seen at the Isle of Man Airport. The exhibition is the initiative of the Isle of Man Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and includes work by children from Ashley Hill School. It is currently being displayed in the Isle of Man Airport to coincide with the Commonwealth Youth Games. In October the exhibition will move to the Legislative Buildings in Douglas. As well as highlighting the contribution made by Manx people to Commonwealth nations both in the past and the present, the exhibition also celebrates the centenary of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which was founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association. Meanwhile at Westminster the CPA centenary Commonwealth Youth Parliament is underway. As part of its proceedings Manx delegate Graeme Osborn was on 8th September 2011 elected “Prime Minister of the Commonwealth”. In opening the Commonwealth Youth Parliament on 7th September 2011, Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Committee said “It is important that people who aspire to be Parliamentarians and who are interested in politics attend these programmes. More than that though, we encourage these friendships which may form and grow and be useful to you many years from now as political leaders. I hope you will not lose the focus you have on politics to help with the process of change. We all have similar problems, issues and opportunities... I hope that the Commonwealth and CPA can be a force for good and change across the world and I look forward to working with you all in the future.” -ends-