The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in Hong Kong
Celebrating Commonwealth Culture
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in Hong Kong
Celebrating Commonwealth Culture
Royal Commonwealth Society, Hong Kong, was established in 1983 and provides a valuable network for Commonwealth citizens, local and expatriates in Hong Kong. The branch fosters friendship between people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, supports small local charities and promotes the values of the Commonwealth.
RCS organises a wide range of cultural, charitable, educational, and networking events. Examples include speaker lunches, meetings with Commonwealth Consuls-General, charity events, cultural performances, receptions and dinners. Annual flagship events include an interfaith service and reception on Commonwealth Day and the Commonwealth Cricket Cup at the Kowloon Cricket Club as part of the Commonwealth’s wider ‘Peace at the Crease’ initiative. Every year, we also support the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, the oldest English language essay competition in the world.
Over the last few years, we have provided significant fundraising support through our annual charity concert (hosted at the Official British Residence or Official Canadian Residence in Hong Kong) for local Hong Kong charities, including:
The Modern Commonwealth is a free association of 56 independent nations with close historical links, a shared language (English) and shared values of democracy, rule of law, tolerance and diversity. It can also facilitate global trade as doing business with a fellow Commonwealth country represents a 20% saving in cost due to shared language, legal systems and civic organisation. Membership of the Commonwealth is defined by the principles espoused by the Commonwealth Charter, the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and the quadrennial Commonwealth Games.
With a population of 2.3 billion (nearly a third of the world’s total) the majority under 25, it represents a very strong soft-power network, which HM The King, Head of the Commonwealth, has called ”a precious…force for unity” in an increasingly “fragmented world” and a “family defined by youth and possibility”.
Commonwealth Day is held every year on the second Monday of March. The day is celebrated around the world and from the Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty the King, a special message is issued through Prime Ministers and Presidents to the citizens of the Commonwealth particularly school children.
The Royal Commonwealth Society in Hong Kong was founded in April 1983 by the late Sir Denys Roberts KBE SPMB QC, who served as Chief Secretary and Chief Justice of Hong Kong.
The Society’s affairs are governed by an elected Council. The following constitute the Society’s Office Holders:
Commonwealth Day is held every year on the second Monday of March. The day is celebrated around the world and from the Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty the King, a special message is issued through Prime Ministers and Presidents to the citizens of the Commonwealth particularly school children.
We affirm that every person-of whatever colour, class or creed-possesses unique worth and dignity.
We affirm our respect for the world and pledge that we will be its stewards by caring for every part of it.
We affirm our belief in justice for everyone and peace between peoples and nations.
We affirm faith and love as the foundation of all human relationships.
We affirm that we each belong to our own nation and to the whole human family: to the service of both we pledge ourselves.
We affirm that diversity is a gift to humanity and that all peoples are worthy of respect; in pursuit of which, we pledge to promote understanding and reconciliation in our communities and around the world.
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) was founded in London in 1868 and is comprised of 70 self-governing bodies in over 56 countries around the world. It is an international organisation and educational charity which works to promote knowledge and appreciation of the Commonwealth and to support its fundamental values. Through educational and youth outreach programmes, RCS seeks to encourage young people to develop their role as global citizens and to engage with challenges facing the international community.
RCS is an international network of over 10,000 members of autonomous, self-governing RCS groups and societies across over 100 countries and territories. Regional and international conferences are held on a regular basis to enable members in different parts of the world to interact, exchange ideas, and cooperate on projects of mutual interest.
