The British Council, in collaboration with the Royal Commonwealth Society, in the build up to this year Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad & Tobago, are inviting you to put a date in your diary and participate in a series of live and interactive Virtual Events being held throughout the day on Tuesday 3 November 2009.
Each of these Events will focus on a particular theme and will include a live web video broadcast, a live Q & A / Debate session, Issues polling and links to relevant documents/links.
In order to participate in any of the sessions, you need to ensure 
you have the latest Flash Player installed.
Additionally, you will need a fast internet connection to view the live video.
The Event Schedule for the day is:
Session 1 – 11.00hrs GMT
Climate Change and the Environment
Climate change is not just an environmental issue: it’s an economic issue, a security issue and an issue which is already affecting all of our lives. All the science that has been produced over the last year shows growing urgency, and climate change negotiations are probably the most complex international negotiations ever undertaken. What will be the consequences if there is no positive and definitive outcome in Copenhagen? What should Commonwealth leaders, who are meeting in Trinidad just days before Copenhagen, be saying?
Presenter(s):
Mr David Hill, Deputy Director International Climate Change, Department for Energy and Climate Change
Representative from the Young Commonwealth Climate Summit
Dr David Viner, Programme Leader - Climate Change, British Council (Chair)
Link to the event: http://www.modcommslimited.com/virtualevent1/
Session 2 – 13.30hrs GMT
Youth Voice
Nearly two billion people now live in the Commonwealth, and half of these are under 25. The future of the Commonwealth belongs to young people and they should be empowered to be part of decision-making processes that affect their social, economic and political well-being. Take part in this session and hear what young people themselves think about the critical issues of today.
Presenter(s):
Tom Le Feuvre, British Youth Council
Barbara Soetan, Young Advocate of the Year
Claire Anholt, Youth Programmes Manager and Chair
Link to the event: http://www.modcommslimited.com/virtualevent2
Session 3 - 15.15h GMT
The Commonwealth in the 21st Century
The Commonwealth is 60 years old this year. How can it stay relevant to its people in the 21st Century? What should its global priorities be for the next 10 years? People across the Commonwealth are debating its future through the Commonwealth Conversation and this is your chance to have your say in shaping the future of the Commonwealth.
Presenter(s):
H.E Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General
Gerard Lemos, Acting Chair, British Council
Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Director Royal Commonwealth Society
Link to the event: http://www.modcommslimited.com/virtualevent3
Session 4 – 17.00hrs GMT
How does Communication technology enhance the work of civil society organisations?
From President Obama to major pop bands, people are using the Web to change their fortunes and chart new courses – running successful political campaigns, selling out concerts or raising funds. In this session, UN information technology specialist, David Galipeau will show you how social media and online communication can enhance advocacy and empower policy makers, civil society and local activists.
Presenter(s):
David Galipeau, United Nations
Matt O’Neill (Chair)
Link to the event: http://www.modcommslimited.com/virtualevent4
