LAHORE: The British High Commission (BHC) hosted a Commonwealth Big Lunch to celebrate the commonwealth community and build connections through a culinary gathering at the British Council library in Lahore on Thursday.
The focus of the lunch was to highlight the importance of 12 years of quality education for girls and boys in Pakistan.
Acting British High Commissioner Richard Crowder was the chief guest at the event which was also attended by the British Council Pakistan Deputy Director James Hampson, Department of International Development (DFID) Deputy Head Kemi Williams, members of civil society, the media, as well as, students from DFID, the British Council and supported schools in Lahore.
Students got the chance to participate in a number of exciting activities including a sports quiz, creative writing, sketching and a drawing workshop.
The gathering in Lahore is one of many Commonwealth Big Lunches happening across the 53 commonwealth nations from March 12- Commonwealth Day – until April 22.
Launched by the Eden Project – a UK educational charity and social enterprise in partnership with the UK government, thousands of people from across the commonwealth are coming together to celebrate, discover and share their commonwealth links, stories and experiences with one another over a shared meal.
Lunches are being held ahead of and during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018.
Unfolding over five days, leaders and foreign ministers from up to 53 countries and over 2,000 delegates will gather in London and Windsor, UK, from April 16 – 20 to discuss and agree how to work together to address shared global challenges.
“We are delighted to hold our own Commonwealth Big Lunch for the students of DFID and British Council supported schools in Lahore,” said Acting British High Commissioner Richard Crowder. “Commonwealth Big Lunches are about celebrating being part of the Commonwealth, encouraging people to come together and making new connections,” he added.
“I am proud of the fact that Pakistan and the UK share such a strong connection. I would like to see this connection grow even stronger in the years to come,” he further added.
“From Commonwealth Day onwards, we’ve been encouraging people to come together to share friendship, food and fun with people where they live,” said Eden Project Executive Director and MVO Peter Stewart.
The celebration in Lahore is one of many taking place across 6 continents.
“Commonwealth Big Lunches bring people together, show the diversity we all have and importantly celebrate the commonality we all share which showcases the true spirit of the Commonwealth,” concluded Peter.
The Commonwealth Big Lunches were inspired by the Eden Project’s annual Big Lunch, which launched in 2009 as a way to connect people with their communities over a shared meal. The Big Lunch has since seen millions of people get together.
The Big Lunch will take place later this year on Sunday 3 June in the United Kingdom (UK).
