Queen commends positive change in science and technology

In her address to the UN General Assembly this week, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, Head of the Commonwealth reflects on global changes since attending last in 1957.

Speaking at the organisation’s headquarters in New York on 6 July 2010, the Queen praised the United Nations for its remarkable achievements in reducing conflict, offering humanitarian aid and tackling the effects of poverty.

In her capacity as Queen of sixteen UN Member States and as Head of the Commonwealth she praised the positive changes in science and technology, echoing the intentions of the Commonwealth’s theme for 2010: Science, Technology and Society. Her Majesty placed particular emphasis on the part played by civil society in this achievement, commenting:  “Remarkably, many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives - although all these have played a part - but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.”

Science, Technology and Society was chosen as the Commonwealth theme for 2010 to raise awareness around issues of science and development in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Foundation supports the theme through events including an annual Commonwealth Lecture, which this year welcomed Dr James Martin who addressed the audience on the impacts of science and technology on society.

The Commonwealth Foundation are also supporting talks, seminars and conferences throughout the year which aim to bring people together and raise awareness of the challenges faced by Commonwealth countries in relation to the theme.

A recent example was the conference “Science Diplomacy: Applying Science and Innovation to International Challenges”.  In addressing delegates, Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation commented: “Many of the challenges the Commonwealth faces today have strong connections to science – climate change, depletion of fish stocks, and pollution of the environment are but a few examples. No doubt these challenges will test the resolve of member states in the future as they balance national priorities against global responsibilities.”

The Queen spoke about the significant growth in the Commonwealth since her last address to the UN and referred to the same opportunities she offered when opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, last November: “Since I addressed you last, the Commonwealth, too, has grown vigorously to become a group of nations representing nearly two billion people. It gives its whole-hearted support to the significant contributions to the peace and stability of the world made by the United Nations and its Agencies. Last November, when I opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, I told the delegates that the Commonwealth had the opportunity to lead. Today I offer you the same message.”

To find out more about the Commonwealth theme, visit www.commonwealthday.org