A conference to discuss the Duke of Edinburgh Award is being held in Malta, bringing together members from around the world to decide how the award can benefit the lives of even more young people.
Prince Edward, as chairman of the award, will also be attending the conference.
The award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of leisure activities for youths aged 14 to 25, designed to offer a personal and individual challenge.
Since the award was founded by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 over eight million people have takin part in it from over 140 countries and territories. It was launched in Malta in 1961as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Malta Branch, but later became The President’s Award – Malta, to reflect the tremendous support it receives from the Presidency.
The award, which is divided in bronze, silver and gold levels, focuses on individual challenge, with participants designing their own award programme, setting their own goals and recording their own progress.
Participants choose a service, physical recreation and skills activity, go on an adventurous journey and – in order to achieve a Gold Award – take part in a residential project.
The only person they compete against is themselves, by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve.
The award is co-ordinated around the world by schools, colleges, universities, employers, social clubs, uniformed and non-uniformed youth organisations, young offenders’ institutions, religious organisations, sports clubs, and other civic organisations.
Recent award projects around the world have focused on involving young offenders, street children and former child soldiers. The impact of the award on these and many more young people is extraordinary, with many saying that it transforms their lives.
“Every single day over 1,200 young people embark on their award journey. Our ambition is that every young and eligible person in the world, whatever their situation or circumstance, should have the opportunity to participate,” said John May, secretary general of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
“The forum in Malta will be a unique experience both in terms of Maltese hospitality and also in terms of the conference content,” Kenneth De Martino, chairman for the host committee added.
www.presidentsaward.org.mt