Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC
|
04 April 2016
– Today, in London, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC began her first day in
office
as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. Nominated for the
post by Dominica, she is the first woman to hold the post.
To
the rhythm of a steel band, the sound of a gospel choir, and the flair
of Quadrille dancers, hundreds of guests welcomed the new
Secretary-General at Commonwealth
headquarters in Marlborough House. They included well-known figures
from the world of politics, sports and broadcasting. The event was
hosted by Garth Crooks, the former English footballer, and included
performances by singer Heather Small of M People, tenor
Franz Hepburn and actor Hugh Quarshie.
“I
am determined that we are going to work together on tackling violence
against women and girls, deal with the existential threat of climate
change, promote trade and good governance, champion
the health, well-being and human rights of our citizens, and ensure
young people have the opportunities they need for the future,” said the
Secretary-General in her first official
address in London.
Arriving straight from a visit to
the Caribbean,
she was escorted into Commonwealth Headquarters by the Caribbean High
Commissioners and introduced by Dominica’s acting High Commissioner to
the UK, Janet Charles.
The new Secretary-General shared her vision for the Commonwealth,
stating “Working and acting as one people – one family – we can make a
different future”.
In
her speech, she described herself as “a classic child of the
Commonwealth” - born in the Caribbean and brought up in London. She
highlighted her journey of “firsts” - from the first black
woman to join the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom, the first
woman to hold the position of UK Attorney General and the first woman
Commonwealth Secretary-General. She said she had been “rather sad” at
being first and looked forward to supporting new
generations of female leaders.
She
highlighted tackling domestic violence as one of her top priorities, a
problem, she said, that is “literally stealing our futures”. She
underscored that allowing women to be abused and
disregarded would continue to hamper the health and well being of
societies.
Born in the small village of St Joseph in Dominica, she said she knew only too well about the threat
of climate change.
She urged members of the Commonwealth to work together and make good on
commitments agreed at the global Paris Climate Conference last
December. “We can show
the world about building resilience and finding innovative solutions.”
Boosting
Commonwealth trade and creating better opportunities for young people,
who make up 60% of the Commonwealth population, she commented, would
also be at the top of her agenda.
“I
am confident that we can change things for the better. I want the
Commonwealth to be a voice for everyone who shares our common values and
hopes,” she concluded.