Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration
On Monday, the 9th of March 2026 I travelled to London for this incredible opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey. Walking a short distance, I was met with raised, colourful flags of 56 Commonwealth member countries in Parliament Square.
When I saw the statue of Nelson Mandela and the South African flag, unexpected tears rolled down my face because I remembered life as a South African mixed-race person and the brutal, devastating pain of Apartheid and colonialism negatively impacting the lives of Brown and Black South Africans. I also recalled February 1990, watching Nelson Mandela’s prison release after serving 27 years for his fight against Apartheid. To this day, his words are imprinted in my mind: “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison”. Thus, for me, attending The Commonwealth Day event held great significance. I am also powerfully reminded of the Commonwealth nations’ collective strength and resolve to have constructive debate, develop partnerships and establishing collaborative projects focussed on improving the lives of nearly three billion people from member states.
The Celebration Service centred on the Commonwealth nations’ values of justice, democracy, opportunity, compassion, and mutual respect. The King and Queen with other senior members of the Royal Family were in attendance, and honoured guests included the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Shirley Botchwey and the Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo (Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. Religious leaders of faith communities included representatives of different Christian Churches, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, Sikh, and Baháʼí community delivering prayers. Sat in Westminster Abbey, I was surrounded by vibrant sounds of music, and people from diverse races, religion, ages, sexuality, ability, and cultures spanning continents. This image struck a chord as it embodied a semblance of unity across human differences, yet outside the Abbey political conflicts were raging in other parts of the world.
This year, the Order of Service highlighted artistic collaboration and shared cultural expression, commissioning different artists to perform at the event. Including the Commonwealth Symphony, Melodian Steel orchestra, Collaborative Dance Performance of Rays of Rhythm and Sapney Entertainment. Celebrity speakers included Oti Mabuse and Geri Halliwell-Horner. Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM performed her poem, ‘How to Make a Commonwealth Quilt’. Listening to this poem, I am reminded that as a British Association of Social Work (BASW) member, serving on the BASW International Committee, and Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW), we are part a tapestry of global networks actively contributing to collaborative work across international states to enhance life outcomes for citizens, including social workers.
Dr Carlene Cornish is Associate Professor of the School of Social Work at The University of East Anglia
