Students mark 100th anniversary of the Commonwealth

Some of our international students took part in a service at Chelmsford Cathedral to mark the 100th anniversary of the Commonwealth.

The event follows the recent London-based summit – the last presided over by the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth – in which government leaders from all 53 member states met to discuss global challenges and agree actions to make the world a better place.

The Chelmsford service was organised by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex to recognise the Queen’s role in The Commonwealth and celebrate the rich diversity it has brought to the UK and Essex in particular.

Students from the University joined local school children, in national costume and carrying flags, for a service with a mix of singing, dance, reflection and thanksgiving.

Chief of Staff, Monica Illsley, who attended the service to represent the University said: “It was wonderful for the University of Essex to be invited to be part of this community celebration of diversity. It couldn’t be more appropriate or relevant to us given how proud we are of our global staff and student community, our diversity, and our inclusive spirit which we have celebrated in recent years through our own ‘One World, One Spirit, One Essex’ campaign.”

The students, from Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Bangladesh and India, met some of the dignitaries in attendance including the Lord Lieutenant, Jennifer Tolhurst, Philip Tolhurst, who is a former member of our University council, John Aldridge, Chairman of Essex County Council, Akbar Khan, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Rt Revd Trevor Mwamba, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chelmsford