Schools and youth organisations should embrace the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People

The Award programme, which was initiated by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth of England, is an exciting one for young people. It was established in the 1950s.It empowers young people aged between 14 and 25 years with life and practical skills that prepare them for adult life. It challenges young people to work towards achieving their full potential.The programme operates in over 120 countries world wide. Its headquarters are in London. In Africa, the program operates in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana and Senegal among others. The Africa Regional office is situated in Nairobi, Kenya.The programme operates in high schools and youth organisations and has three progressive levels: bronze medal (six months), silver medal (12 months) and gold medal (18 months). At each level, there are four mandatory activities which include community service, skills development, physical recreation and adventurous journey.In the section of community service, the participant offers service to those in need. It can be in form of public clean-ups similar to Umuganda of Rwanda, creating awareness on HIV/Aids and other diseases, supporting the elderly, street children and other disadvantaged people. The objective is to inspire the young people to become responsive to the needs of the society.In the section of skills development, the participant identifies a skill that he develops over a specified period. The list of activities to choose from may include writing, public speaking, photography, entrepreneurship, commercial farming, music, dance, drama, carpentry, hair dressing, counselling, cookery and art and design among others. The objective is to equip the young people with practical skills that make them job creators and increase their employability.The section of physical recreation requires the participant to identify a sporting activity and practice it over a period of time. The activities that the participant chooses from may include football, volley ball, basketball, rugby, swimming, baseball, athletics and martial arts among others. The participant is able to keep fit, develop talent and refresh the brain.The section of adventurous journey requires the participants to undertake a journey in a group to a new place probably in the wilderness. They use maps to determine the routes but they are monitored by the Award leaders who are teachers or youth leaders. At Bronze level, the participants spend two days and one night on the journey. At Silver level, they spend three days and two nights. At Gold level, they spend four days and three nights. While undertaking the journey, the participants develop various life skills which include team work, adventure, camping, leadership, organisation, map reading, problem solving, self reliance, cooperation and perseverance among others. Adequate preparation and training of participants is required before the commencement of the journey. The Award leaders mentor and assess the participants and ensure that the participants use the available resources to participate in the program. The Award unit has to seek consent of the participant’s parent or guardian. The various Award units within a country are licensed and operate under the National Award Authority but since the Authority is not yet in place in Rwanda, it is the Africa Regional office in Nairobi, Kenya which offers the licences.At the end of a given level, the participants are awarded medals and certificates in recognition of their achievements. The accolades are internationally recognised and they bear the signature of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.The programme is very enjoyable to the young people and it transforms them through skills empowerment.The Award programme’s website is: www.intaward.org.The writer is a trained Award leader, member of the National Training Panel of the Award in Uganda and a teacher at Riviera High School.