His Worship the Mayor, Councillor John Skinner JP, raised the Commonwealth Flag in support of Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth 2017 on March 13, Commonwealth Day.

Accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Gill Skinner, his Worship was joined by Council members and officers, before whom he read the Commonwealth Affirmation, the document articulating the commitment of member nations. 

More than 950 Commonwealth Flags were raised across every continent as public and collective acknowledgement of the Commonwealth's aspiration to promote and uphold shared values and principles of human rights, democracy, and mutual understanding. 

Douglas was among town and parish councils, local authorities, communities, school children and college students, members of Girlguiding and the Scouts from around the UK and Commonwealth, Sea and Air Cadets, charities and community groups, Commonwealth ex-servicemen and major shipping lines, training ships crewed by disabled crewman people and many others to mark Commonwealth Day 2017.

The 2017 Commonwealth Day theme is 'A Peace-building Commonwealth' which reflects the focus of the Commonwealth in 2017 on peace-building and a commitment to seeking ways to resolve conflict and create more peaceful and stable communities. This focus also draws on the role of individuals and groups in acknowledging and realising the Commonwealth values to proactively contribute towards the strengthening of peace through their work. 

For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, and to celebrate this family of nations, young members of the United Kingdom Army Cadet Force (ACF) took the Commonwealth flag to the top of the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Commonwealth Day. As well as the mountaintop ceremonies, Army Cadets observed Commonwealth Day by raising the flag at 53 other locations throughout the United Kingdom.