DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
The Award Program was first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1956 as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The aim was to motivate young people aged between 14 and 25 years to become involved in a balanced program of voluntary self-development activities to take them through the potentially difficult period between adolescence and adulthood.
The Award’s concept is one of individual challenge, giving young people a balanced, non-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourage personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to their community. Those who participate in the Award are expected to follow its requirements in a non-competitive manner with a determination to succeed, either individually or as part of a team. The Award therefore is challenging, and can be undertaken at your own pace. Hence The International Award for Young People (IAYP) is the most adaptable and successful youth empowerment program. Around the world, more than 140 countries use this model for positive youth empowerment. IAYP is the Program of choice for over 11 million people in the world today.