QUEEN ELIZABETH'S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE: THE COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGE

Released on March 13, 2000

Queen Elizabeth has chosen The Communications Challenge as the theme for the

first Commonwealth Day of the new millennium.



"For much of the millennium just ended, the challenge was to relay information

as speedily and accurately as possible," the Queen said. "But the advance in

technology brings a new challenge, of how to use rapid communication

responsibly and for the common good. We need to remember that exciting though

the new ways of communicating undoubtedly are, what matters most is what we say

to each other."



The Queen concluded her message by saying, "The challenge for the century just

started will be to find ways to use ever faster communications to bring greater

harmony and understanding both within each of our societies and between them,

and thereby to strengthen the Commonwealth."



Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock supported the Queen's message. "The world

is more accessible because of communications technology. There is always a

risk, however, when face-to-face contact is replaced by electronic forms of

communication. Saskatchewan's reality of a sparsely populated vast land

presents its own communications challenges. I am confident that we will use

new technologies wisely in order to meet Saskatchewan's unique needs."



The Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly is an active member at the Commonwealth

Parliamentary Association, which brings together elected representatives from

54 nations in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth promotes fundamental

political values, such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, the

independence of the judiciary, and just and honest government.



The Queen is head of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the

second Monday of March each year. Flags will be flown on the Albert Street

Bridge in honour of Commonwealth Day and the Commonwealth Flag will be flown on

the Legislative Building.



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For more information, contact:



Sean St. George

Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-7151