Dr Zimar Sivardeen with H.E. Euripides L. Evriviades, High Commissioner, Cyprus High Commission

Commonwealth Future celebrated the connected Commonwealth at a luncheon in Knightsbridge, London on 14th March 2019. The event bought together a coalition of distinguished guests from international diplomatic missions, Commonwealth organisations and accomplished individuals in shaping the future of the Commonwealth.

H.E. Manisha Gunasekera, High Commissioner, Sri Lanka High Commission with Dr Desmond Biddulph CBE and Prof John McIntosh CBE

Dr Zimar Sivardeen, Chairman of Commonwealth Future, began the event by paying tribute to the remarkable contributions of Her Majesty the Queen’s patronage of the Commonwealth and recognition that members of the Commonwealth are ‘guardians of a precious flame’. Today’s Commonwealth represents 53 nations and more than 2.3 billion individuals.

Dr Sivardeen further commented that the organisation “brings together a collective of likeminded individuals from all over the Commonwealth to act as thought leaders and instigators of change towards a better future for the Commonwealth”. This was centred within three key themes of youth employment and engagement, the technology and digital revolution and enterprise and entrepreneurship.

The Rt Hon. the Lord Naseby

Announced at the event included the formation of a coalition of Commonwealth Shapers matching highly experienced individuals and organisations with talented young people and projects seeking to make a difference in the Commonwealth. This would be supported by plans for an intensive programme of global experience and mentorship for individuals.

The event was supported by leading speakers including The Rt. Hon. the Lord Naseby who spoke on the importance and enormous potential of international trade within the Commonwealth. The Lord Sheikh then spoke of his background within the Commonwealth having grown up in Kenya and Uganda and the common values shared across the association.

The Lord Sheikh

Hosted by leading MC Mark Jones, the event brought together a diverse coalition of attendees including Vice Lord-Lieutenant Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL, H.E. Euripides L. Evriviades, High Commissioner, Cyprus High Commission, H.E. Manisha Gunasekera, High Commissioner, Sri Lanka High Commission, H.E. John L Mugerwa, Deputy High Commissioner, Uganda High Commission, Martin Forde QC, Independent Advisor To The Home Office Regarding The Design Of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, Professor John Marshall MBE, Professor Emeritus UCL, Professor John Mcintosh CBE, Vice Chairman Of Council, The University Of Buckingham, Miss Katie Watson, Manager of Partnership and Institutions, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Colonel James Gaselee, former Commanding Officer of The Household Cavalry in Knightsbridge and The Officer In Charge Of Engagement In the UK and Ms Elizabeth Van Der Valk, Royal Commonwealth Society.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL

H.E. John L Mugerwa, Deputy High Commissioner, Uganda High Commission