Commonwealth Day 2023 educational resources including a map, kids booklet and posters are available in this online gallery.
Download educational resources
Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Commonwealth Day 2023
Commonwealth Day took place on Monday 13 March, 2023, marking the beginning of a week-long series of events and activities around the globe – including faith and civic gatherings, debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural events.
Commonwealth Day 2023 marked the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which was signed by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 11 March 2013.
This was the first Commonwealth Day since Her Majesty’s passing, and the first presided over by His Majesty King Charles III as King and Head of the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth Day photo gallery
Photo gallery
All photos from Commonwealth Day events can be found in our Flickr photo gallery.
Commonwealth Day theme
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2023 was ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’. The theme combines the active commitment of member states to support the promotion of peace, prosperity and sustainability, especially through climate action, so as to secure a better future for our young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
Schedule
In London, Commonwealth Day 2023 was celebrated with a multicultural, multi-faith service held at Westminster Abbey which featured a procession of young flag bearers representing each of the 56 nations of the Commonwealth, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates, and a flag-raising event for the Commonwealth Flag for Peace.
The event was broadcast live from Westminster Abbey on BBC One, in the programme: 'A Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day.' The event included performances from musicians from New Zealand, Rwanda and Cyprus.
If you are outside of the UK, the service is available to watch on the BBC's YouTube channel.
Commonwealth Day Affirmation and Messages
Document
Commonwealth Day Affirmation 2023.pdf
(55.99 KB)
Commonwealth Day 2023 Message from His Majesty King Charles III
Commonwealth Day 2023 Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General
Resources
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2023 is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’. The theme combines the active commitment of member states to support the promotion of peace, prosperity and sustainability, especially through climate action, so as to secure a better future for our young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
You can also use the Commonwealth logo kit. For a full guide to using the Commonwealth brand, view our brand guidelines.
Below you will find sample posts and links to share on social media, to support us in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2023.
In all posts, please include hashtag #CommonwealthDay and use assets from our multimedia Dropbox library or our Flickr photo gallery.
Key accounts
Commonwealth Secretariat accounts:
The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth accounts:
Social media posts
In all posts below, please use graphics, videos or photos from our multimedia library or photo gallery.
Twitter posts
📢 Commonwealth Day is being celebrated today with activities across the #Commonwealth.
#CommonwealthDay observed annually by the 56 member countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific & Europe.
Learn more via @CommonwealthSec: http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
🎉 Today 56 independent countries celebrate #CommonwealthDay
🌍 This year’s theme is 'Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future'
👉 Explore @CommonwealthSec's schedule of activities, download free home learning resources and more: http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
Today, 56 member countries come together to mark #CommonwealthDay under the theme:
🕊️ ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future'
➡️ Learn more about #Commonwealth Day 2023 on @CommonwealthSec: https://bit.ly/41kWR1y
Young people across the Commonwealth raise a Flag of Peace to celebrate #CommonwealthDay and the #Commonwealth Year of Peace on March 13.
The @CommonwealthSec initiative is supported by @QueensComTrust and @RoyalCWSociety.
Learn more 👉 http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
🎉 Today #CommonwealthDay 2023 is celebrated with a multicultural, multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey in London.
📺 The event will be broadcast live on BBC One at 2.15pm GMT.
🌎 If you are outside of the UK, you can watch on YouTube.
Learn more at @CommonwealthSec: http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
📢 Calling all home learning families, groups or organisations!
Celebrate #CommonwealthDay and learn about the history of the #Commonwealth by downloading FREE resources, including:
🗺️maps
❓quizzes
🖼️posters
Explore more on @CommonwealthSec: http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
The #Commonwealth is one of the world's oldest political associations.
From the birth of the modern Commonwealth in 1949, to the latest member countries to join - Gabon and Togo in 2022 - explore @CommonwealthSec's history in the timeline below: http://ow.ly/U1pM50DGBa4
#CommonwealthDay
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the #CommonwealthCharter by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Charter brings together common values of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Learn more at @CommonwealthSec: https://thecommonwealth.org/charter
#CommonwealthDay
Facebook and Linkedin post
📢 Join me in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2023 today! Learn more: http://ow.ly/jxVw50DGBa5
#CommonwealthDay is an annual celebration observed by people across the 56 member countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
#Commonwealth #democracy #peace #trade #GenderEquality #HumanRights #SustainableDevelopment #CommonwealthSecretariat
Instagram post
📢 Join me in celebrating Commonwealth Day 2023 today!
#CommonwealthDay is an annual celebration observed by people across the 56 member countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Link in bio or more info at @Commonwealth_Sec: http://ow.ly/LAEY50DGCZ8
#Commonwealth #democracy #peace #trade #GenderEquality #HumanRights #SustainableDevelopment #CommonwealthSecretariat
In all posts above, please use graphics, videos or photos from our multimedia library or photo gallery.
Latest news
56 countries honour common values, purpose and joint action on Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Secretary-General raises Peace Flag to mark Commonwealth Day
Wreath Laying Ceremony for those who served in the two World Wars on Commonwealth Day
Commonwealth Day to be celebrated around the world
Commonwealth Day 2023 theme announced: 'Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’
Commonwealth launches Flag for Peace to celebrate 10th anniversary of Charter
Commonwealth Day Affirmation and Messages
Document
Commonwealth Day Affirmation 2023.pdf
(55.99 KB)
Commonwealth Day 2023 Message from His Majesty King Charles III
Commonwealth Day 2023 Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General
Photo gallery
Commonweal Day 2023 photos on Flickr
Media contact
- Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- +44 20 7747 6476 | E-mail
Commonwealth Flag for Peace
The Commonwealth Flag for Peace features a white dove of peace in the bottom right-hand corner of the Commonwealth flag, symbolising the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth, including co-operation on economic and social development, diversity, respect, friendship and the promotion of peace around the world.
Year of Youth 2023
Young people are encouraged to participate in Commonwealth Day activities as part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth 2023.
Commonwealth Day 2022
Commonwealth Day 2022 was celebrated on Monday 14 March 2022, with a service held at Westminster Abbey. See highlights below and view our summary and photo gallery here.
