Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II says that Commonwealth nations should encourage their young people to participate in the “exciting new opportunities” that technology provides.
She however acknowledged that the internet is still unaffordable to many citizens of the 54 nations of the intergovernmental grouping.
The British monarch said that youth involvement should be encouraged “in the knowledge that progress is something which must be sustained and shared by all”.
In her Commonwealth message on Monday, the Queen said science and technology play a vital part in modern societies’ search for ways to improve their quality of life.
She said that experimentation, research and innovation, mean that more opportunities for improving people’s lives exist today than ever before. (Follow I Witness-News on Facebook)
She noted the impact of technology in reducing the limitations of geography and time on communications across the globe.
Technological advances are also having a marked economic effect on people from developing nations in the Commonwealth, helping to transform small to medium-sized businesses, she said.
“The internet is playing an important part in helping to nurture these fledgling markets but, as yet, it still remains an unaffordable option for too many of our Commonwealth citizens.
“Progress in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing, and education have, for the most part, helped improve people’s lives throughout the world. In the health sector, the Commonwealth has shown how collaborative schemes can successfully assist member states to fight pandemics and diseases.”
Her Majesty said that in making these advances the, the Commonwealth recognised that the best innovation are those that unite, and help build resilient partnerships and better societies as a whole.
“This is particularly important for the more than half of the Commonwealth citizens who are under 25 years of age. It is vital that their potential to build on the exceptional scientific expertise that exists in member states is also fully supported through education and social development.
“The Commonwealth understands this, and should continue to aid and encourage our young people to participate in the exciting new opportunities that lie ahead, in the knowledge that progress is something which must be sustained and shared by all,” Her Majesty said.
Her Majesty is head of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation of 54 independent member states, 52 of which were formerly part of the British Empire, 15 of which still retain her as their head of state.