Manx students to attend Commonwealth Day observance celebrations in London
Two Manx students are to attend the Commonwealth Day observance celebrations in London on Monday March 12.
Kirsty Renshaw, 23, from Crosby and Abby Dixon, also 23, from St Judes, have been selected by the Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to join other young people nominated by CPA branches throughout the UK in the celebrations, the theme for which will be Connecting Cultures.
Ms Dixon, a former pupil at The Buchan School, is at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) reading for an MSc in migration, mobility and development. She is also learning Swahili and, once qualified, is hoping to relocate to East Africa to work in humanitarian development. Former Buchan and King William’s College student Ms Renshaw, a Durham University BA (Hons) graduate in history, English and politics, is now reading law at BPP law school, London.
The pair will attend presentations led by UK and visiting parliamentarians during the one-day programme that will focus on issues affecting the Commonwealth and, more specifically, on the CPA’s work in promoting parliamentary democracy.
They will also join the Observance Day multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey attended by the Queen, in 2012 celebrating 60 years as UK monarch and head of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty will be joined by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Commonwealth High Commissioners in London, other VIPs and more than 1000 schoolchildren. The day will conclude with a reception - also in the presence of Her Majesty - at Marlborough House in Pall Mall, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, hosted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr Kamalesh Sharma.
Ms Dixon said: ‘It’s a great privilege to have been selected by the CPA to attend the celebrations and a unique opportunity to see the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee year.’ Ms Renshaw added: ‘I’m very proud to have been given this opportunity, alongside Abby, to represent the Isle of Man on such an important occasion.’
CPA Isle of Man branch chairman Mr Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the Commonwealth and the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in bringing nations, and young people especially, together in a spirit of mutual understanding to further the aims of parliamentary democracy. I am pleased the Isle of Man branch of the CPA has been able to offer Abby and Kirsty this unique insight into the modern-day Commonwealth with the theme of Connecting Cultures.’
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