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Commonwealth 'means little' to Britain's youth
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth. But a Saga Holidays* survey has revealed that the institution is a mystery to many of Britain's young people
The results of our poll show a huge gulf in knowledge between the generations. For example, more than one-in-ten 16-24 year-olds questioned believed that George Bush was the leader of the Commonwealth.
Just under half of the same age group knew the head of the Commonwealth was the Queen, while 87 per cent of the over 50s answered correctly. But only a quarter of 16-24 year-olds are aware that the USA is not a Commonwealth country.
But perhaps we could all do with a refresher course. Two-thirds of those questioned couldn't correctly say how many countries there were in the Commonwealth. The answer is 53; these independent states are mainly former British colonies, plus territories with historical ties to Britain.
Emma Soames, Editor at Large of Saga Magazine said: "It's not surprising there is a knowledge-gap between the age groups; more mature generations, like our customers, grew up in a time where the Commonwealth was fundamental to the British way of life.
"But let's not forget it remains important today for young and old, and that people of all ages should refresh their understanding of the Commonwealth."
To celebrate the diamond anniversary of the Commonwealth next year, Saga Holidays has launched an exciting new world cruise itinerary.
Departing from Southampton on January 5, 2009, the 104-day Commonwealth Cruise onboard the Saga Rose will be your chance to celebrate the diversity of 21 Commonwealth nations.
Covering 32,499 nautical miles and stopping in 39 ports, this promises to be a holiday of a lifetime and an opportunity to visit many of the world’s most interesting and exotic destinations.
Idyllic islands feature strongly, starting with five Commonwealth islands in the Caribbean. After calling at fascinating Latin American destinations, a host of South Pacific islands await, all equally beautiful but offering different cultural experiences.
Saga Rose continues to New Zealand and Australia, before heading to Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India. On the return home, Saga Rose also visits Cyprus and Malta.
On the Commonwealth Cruise you will sail through both the Panama and Suez canals, while Saga Rose visits a number of ports for the first time, including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
For further details of the full itinerary of the 2009 Commonwealth Cruise and other Saga cruises please call 0800 056 5880 or visit www.saga.co.uk/travelshop
* Research conducted by BMRB among 1002 people aged 16.
Reader comments
A few years ago in Portugal I met an ex Kenyan farmer, of British descent, who had been paid a pittance by the UK government for a very viable farm when Kenya gained independence. He held a British Passport but with no right of abode, even though he had returned to the UK during World War II to enlist in the RAF. I found this situation insulting and was ashamed of a country which opens its doors to seemingly everyone but those who have made a real contribution to our country's welfare. Our politicians would do well to start listening to the grass roots in this country instead of following blindly the agenda of the minority. Welcome to Britain the land of the free but free for whom? Certainly not for ordinary citizens whose freedoms are being increasingly stifled. I might add, I don't live in a bubble, travel extensively and have had lively exchanges on the subject with a cross section of society at home and around the world.
Posted by: Eileen Anderson | 20/04/2008 14:47:43
This ignorance of the Commonwealth is a disgrace, especially as so many members of our multi-racial society either come from the Commonwealth or are descendants of those who have done. What is being taught in our schools if this ignorance prevails? Perhaps as well as part-funding trips to Auschwitz, our government should encourage our school children to travel to London. There, they can visit Hyde Park Corner and look at the Australian and New Zealand war memorials, then stroll down Constitution Hill through the Memorial Gates commemorating those from Black Commonwealth countries, and finally go into Green Park and look at the Canadian war memorial. They should be told how much they owe their freedom today to the sacrifices of those from overseas who helped us when we stood alone. The Government's proposal to phase out ancestry visas for those with a British grandparent equally fills me with horror. On the one hand, the Government claims it wants to promote Britishness; on the other, it ignores one element of that same Britishness, those descendants of Britons living in the Commonwealth.
Posted by: Eric Brown | 14/03/2008 19:17:14
