Commonwealth Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday of March. However many events take place the weekend before. Every year there is a different theme. For the last few years the theme has been "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming" and it is the same this year. This theme was chosen because the governments and people of our diverse family of 54 Commonwealth countries connect at many levels through extensive and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill.
Benefits of membership
Commonwealth countries benefit from being part of a mutually supportive community of independent and sovereign states, aided by more than 80 Commonwealth organisations. The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965, supports Commonwealth member countries to achieve development, democracy and peace. Together, the countries and people of the Commonwealth tackle issues such as climate change and its impacts. They work to find sustainable ways of using the natural resources of our planet, its land and ocean, so that our environment is protected.
Together, they work to build peace and harmony through social and democratic development. Together, they encourage inclusive economic empowerment and fair trade so that all people, particularly women, young people and those in marginalised communities can share the fruits of progress and prosperity. Together, they deliver a common future by connecting, innovating and transforming our societies.
To comply with restrictions made necessary because of COVID-19, the Commonwealth Secretariat is not planning for any events to take place at Marlborough House this year. But there are some events taking place:
• 5 March, 1:00pm to 2:00pm: Sea the She: Recognizing women's contributions to ocean science
• 7 March, 5pm: A Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day 2021, from Westminster Abbey
• 8 March, 2-3:30pm: International Women’s Day 2021 event – women’s leadership in building back better after COVID
• 8 March, all day: #SheLeadsTheWay campaign
• 10 March, time TBC: 2021 Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony
Commonwealth Day is annually held on the second Monday of March. it commemorates the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a union of some countries that used to be part of the British Empire. The date was chosen because it did not have any previous historical connotations.