Middle schoolers visited the House of Assembly and the Senate for Commonwealth Day earlier this week, at the same time members of the Youth Parliament attended the Commonwealth Day celebrations in London.

The theme of Commonwealth Day 2009 was "The Commonwealth at 60 – Serving a New Generation".

Students who visited the Parliament buildings were given a tour of both buildings, explained the process of British politics and quizzed on matters concerning local parliament and democracy. They were given a series of questions that ranged from: "What does MP stand for?" to "Why are there debates in Parliament."

Queen Elizabeth II said: "Nearly one billion people of today's Commonwealth are under 25 years of age. These are the people that this association must continue to serve in the future.

"It is they who can help shape the Commonwealth of today, and whose children will inherit the Commonwealth of tomorrow. To help them make the best of their opportunities, our young men and women therefore need the opportunity to become active and responsible members of the communities in which they live. I am pleased that the Commonwealth recognises this, and is determined to continue to put young people at its centre."