Commonwealth Day 2017: Queen Elizabeth Talks World Peace In Speech

Queen Elizabeth II espoused values such co-operation and collaboration as the key to world peace, in her annual message on the occasion of Commonwealth day as part of this year’s theme "a peace-building Commonwealth" for the 2.4 billion citizens from the fifty-two countries that comprise the group.

Held annually on the second Monday of March, the Commonwealth Day is described as an “opportunity for individuals, communities and organisations to promote the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, democracy and equality, and to celebrate the association’s rich diversity,” according to the organization.

The event celebrates tradition in the form of a service held at Westminster Abbey and is expected to be attended by a host of royals such as Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex. For this year’s theme of peace building, the Queen shared a message with her commonwealth citizens.

"The cornerstones on which peace is founded are, quite simply, respect and understanding for one another. Working together, we build peace by defending the dignity of every individual and community. By upholding justice and the rule of law, and by striving for societies that are fair and offer opportunities for all, we overcome division and find reconciliation, so that the benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared,” wrote the Queen, according to a press release.

"As members of the Commonwealth family, we can find much to be thankful for in the inheritances we have received from those who came before us. Through consensus and co-operation, great things have been achieved," she emphasized

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland also conveyed a similar message, emphasizing the greater need for co-operation between the commonwealth nations.

“By linking governments and institutions – both public and private – and bringing together in a spirit of goodwill people of all ages and from all walks of life, Commonwealth gatherings and networks lay foundations of respect and understanding that enable lasting peace to be built,” she said in a press release.

Several events such as performances by musical artist Cody Simpson and Maltese poet and writer Immanuel Mifsud will also be held as part of the Commonwealth service, according to the Sky News. As part of the tradition, the service will also mark the launching of the Queen's baton from Buckingham Palace, where it will travel in all continents represented by the commonwealth country, before reaching Australia for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.