LONDON, UK, March 16, 2009 - Commonwealth Week concluded in London on Friday 13th March 2009, with a High Level Seminar to commemorate International Women’s Day and the 30th Anniversary of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at the Commonwealth Secretariat. The event, which was chaired by Deputy Secretary-General Masire-Mwamba, was opened by Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma with remarks by Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith. The panel was drawn from different regions advocating the importance of gender equality in the Commonwealth. The High Commissioner for Grenada HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, was among colleagues who participated in the forum. The High Commissioner on March 13th also met with representatives (Louise Service, President and Marjorie Rennie) of the Commonwealth Countries League, which provides scholarships for girls of high academic ability to complete their secondary Education. The High Commissioner was pleased to note that there are currently nine (9) girls from Grenada who are in receipt of scholarships. The High Commissioner wishes to encourage the young ladies to make the most of this opportunity, and keep their grades at the highest level always. Over £32,000 annually is spent on the programme raised from CCL Events, Charities and the Annual Commonwealth Fair. The High Commissioner also participated in the Commonwealth Day Activities (with special emphasis on the Commonwealth @60) on Monday 9th March in the presence of HM the Queen. At an earlier forum, hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, High Commissioner Rouse addressed Commonwealth Young People on her role and mandate as High Commissioner. On Tuesday 10th March, High Commissioners were briefed on developments within the Commonwealth by the Chairman-in-Office, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. Later this year, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Honourable Patrick Manning, will assume this role when CHOGM is convened in Port-of-Spain in November. The Grenadian flag was proudly carried by Mondelle Williams at the Westminster Abbey Observance. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS