Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme |10 March 2018
44 get Gold
Forty-four high achieving young ladies and young men have received their Gold Award from President Danny Faure after having successfully completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme.
This was during the gold standard ceremony held yesterday at State House in the presence of the families of the new Gold Award holders.
The awardees are the 8th cohort to join the programme since it was re-introduced in 2000, and form part of the 389 Seychellois to have reached the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme’s gold standard.
Also in attendance on the auspicious occasion were Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Mitcy Larue, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development Joel Morgan, British high commissioner to Seychelles Caron Röhsler and the principal secretary for Youth and Sports Fabien Palmyre.
Before they were awarded their certificates and pins, PS Palmyre -- who is also the chairperson of the National Awards Authority -- addressed the audience and requested that the recipients and their parents try their utmost in encouraging other youths to embark on the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme.
This is with the aim of driving young people away from peer pressure, drug abuse and a general lack of purpose and ambition.
PS Palmyre stated that the activities designed by the Edinburgh programme, such as development skills, physical recreations, volunteer work and youth camps overseas, help create the environment and opportunity for youths to develop healthy lifestyles and good values.
“The government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, recognises the fundamental role played by the Edinburgh programme and this is why we continue to support the National Award Authority and its secretariat,” he continued.
PS Palmyre also took the opportunity to announce the introduction of a new digital platform called the ‘Online Record Book’ (ORB) to help the Award’s participants, leaders and assessors of the programme.
Participants, in particular, will be able to set up activities, record their efforts, upload evidence and submit assessor reports.
Minister Larue also addressed the participants and urged them to continue to foster resilience, perseverance and empathy even in the face of adversities.
“Youth empowerment and development is top on our government’s agenda, and we want you all to reach your full potential. We invest in you because we believe in you, now we want you to believe in yourselves and sail through the journey,” Minister Larue stated.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from one of the Award’s recipients, Kwantema Simara, and presentation of a token of appreciation to President Faure by the director of the National Awards Authority Gerard Pierre.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, 21-year-old Nerry Barbe and 20-year- old Trevor Rose both expressed their enthusiasm at reaching the gold standard.
“I was encouraged to join by a family member who also participated and I am glad I took the advice,” Ms Barbe shared.
Meanwhile Mr Rose, who has joined the police force, said that he has learned a lot of things throughout his journey in the programme that will be useful for the future.
The recipients are expected to be absorbed in the Gold Award Holders Association (GAHA).
