“I was surprised at the difference energetic and supportive Award leaders can make to young people. They truly inspired me to try to become an understanding, dedicated, passionate adult – as one of them. Working for or with youth is a challenge but yet so rewarding. The communication with young people is the key and it helps the most, so that is the basic starting point for getting a sustainable team to form a Gold Award Holders Assocation. As one of the youth I still want real, ongoing opportunities to learn, work and make a difference. And thanks to my mentors, they showed me how I can achive that and encurage me to take the challenge.

Interactive informative Award workshops presented by Award Holders in Slovenia

I can say that there is a large involvement from the youth in Slovenia, even if the Award is very young and we are working as an IO. We want to make a difference on many different aspects. So one small group of Award Holders divided into even smaller groups, will in that way allow us to even more. We are all inspired by each and everyone’s story which gave us a power and a will to make a difference.

On the way to new opportunities - Best way for getting new ideas.

Since I returned from the IGE in Kenya in September 2011, we have worked hard on extending the Award into different organisations that work with or for the young people in Slovenia. So we- Gold Award Holders Assocation team plus some of the award participants who are doing their gold Award- started delivering interactive informative Award workshops (among schools).

On the way to new opportunities - members of the Gold Award Holders Assocation in Slovenia

In this April our national coordinator and a member of GAHA team held Award leaders course for 12 schools in Užice (Serbia). And in October we held the Slovenia-Serbia Award project in Slovenia. We are all trying to establish the Award program in Serbia, so that is why our group helped with the project by taking several tasks (leaders of workshops, promo team ect.).

Slovenian GAHA team meeting British ambassador at his place.

Currently we are working on another issue of our award magazine and trying to establish our new Award page. We also had our first meeting for our 2012 Award summer camp for children from youth centers in Ljubljana. I am in charge of that project and the staff is based on GAHA group. We are trying to represent youngsters the Award through interactive workshops and camping outdoors.

We have finally succeed to conclude a collaboration agreement between Ministry of Defence and our Award IO office, but we still have to declare the tender for this project, because we want for patricipants to have a fee free attendance to our camp.

Meanwhile we are all eager to gain new knowledge, so we are participating in different educational trainings, also in Award leaders course. Some members of the team are already mentors and instructors in schools. We are also trying to represent Award in another youth organizations in Slovenia. And after the presentation (for Award members) of Guardians of the Earth, we are thinking to support them in a way that one part of volunteering service could be focused on their work. I think this could be interesting for whole EMAS region or Award itself.

Members of Slovenian GAHA team with the president of Slovenia.

I agree that youth engagement is a basic element to the success of the Award programme and its future sustainability. Skills, attitudes and values grow more quickly when there is relevant and external purpose. Together as a team, we can move mountains and we know that now for sure. We see some opportunities for changes and that makes us even more willing to make a difference. ” – Irena Dokl, member of sLOVEnian GAHA 

The conference was convened to raise the profile of volunteer action as a tool for promoting people’s participation in SADC regional integration and development’

Duncan describes his experience of the conference below and also the importance of volunteers within society and the Award Programme.

“The most memorable thing I have taken from this conference was the fact that I, representing todays youth, had the opportunity to be exposed to the most innovative minds deliberating on volunteerism and using it as a tool for development in the Southern African region.

Meeting and hear how these delegate think on such issues, was an eye opener over and over, constantly changing the way I think not only about the topic at hand, but through discussion the way we traditional think is shaped and transformed, hearing so many different perspectives always broadens our understanding.

This is what I want to carry with me, not what I learnt about volunteering (which is very valuable) but an understanding of society, civic society and how youth, us, me, are referred to as the change makers. Now being put in this environment, I was able to learn/ and see ‘how it is done’ by the more experience leaders of today and hold true to that experience and the thinking of that, and more importantly delivering that message to my fellow young people of Southern Africa.

Driving back the airport it all made sense, I received a call about a development project I am involved in, and immediately I noticed that the way I thought and the way I spoke of the project before the conference had changed, and this came from a slight perspective adjustment and deeper understand of this issues at hand.

That sort of experience is most valuable and something I’ll only be able to fully understand in the near future, for now I understand opportunity and how to put myself out there and let the rest take it place, standing for what we believe in and holding true to that of which we have been bless to be apart of.

The conference certainly brought some things within my means to my attention which I can push in my own circles, or as Seth Godin puts it ‘tribes’ and he explains this in saying, we don’t need everyone to buy into our concept or idea, we just need key people in groups to activate it in their own means.

Volunteers and the ‘Volunteer’ brand or association.

Volunteers are key to changing civic society and the way we function in them. This concept was discussed in great detail, the conference was looking at how we can use this concept of volunteerism to benefit the youth, where does volunteerism fit in amongst unemployment in our youth, how does this volunteerism concept influence society. Most importantly the power that come with this tool for civic society engagement, which is being under utilized.

Volunteerism our ‘Ubuntu’

Volunteerism was closely referred to as ‘Ubuntu’ and widely accepted across the whole Southern African representatives.

Interesting people I met

It was incredible to have conversation with all of the delegated, we all had a untied passion that brought us there and could easily add very interesting perceptive into conversations about Africa and African problems and ways in which we are all doing our big to make changes felt in our regions.

It was a very inspirational atmosphere.

The main concept covered was how volunteers have been used as a powerful tool in civic society and how this is still had untapped potential, how the focus is put on us, the youth, to be volunteers and this give us the ability to make the changes we want to see in our society and it is now in our hand through the use of volunteering.”

"Being exposed to community volunteerism work, through the President's Award for Youth Empowerment and various other projects, I have been privileged to be exposed to this from a young age, and have gain this perspective of a volunteer or have had my eyes opened. Something a lot of people and my peers have not had the opportunity to be exposed to. By giving through volunteerism, often more is gained by the giver. " - Duncan

- Submitted by Duncan Luke, November 2011

What are your thoughts on volunteering within the Award Programme Structure? Are there ways that volunteer opportunities can be increased?

A formal election process was undertaken to select 2 youth reps from each of the 4 Award regions. Interested delegates were required to put up a manifesto on their interest and readiness for the role a few days before the election took place. Other delegates were then able to read these manifestos and ask questions if they had any. The enthusiasm and unity shown in this group and the understanding of the importance of the role was very inspiring to experience. The delegates at this IGE have really taken to heart the role that youth play in the Award at a governance level.

As outgoing youth reps, we were returning officers at the regional elections to ensure the process was fair and we had the honour of announcing the elected representatives to all of the delegates. At the announcements, there was pure joy expressed by the delegates at the elected representatives and huge support which be great to lead into the next 3 years of their new term.

President Kibaki launches IGE 2011

In his address to participants, the President acknowledged the role of the International Award Association program in building the leadership skills of the youth and for increasing their capacity to bring about social change and to build sustainable futures for their communities, nations and wider world.

The President also thanked the International Award Association for basing the Africa Regional office in Kenya. The regional agreement gives the Association the right impetus in having visibility in sub Saharan Africa, where it has a presence in 34 countries. He further encouraged delegates to use social networks to practice democracy and pursue lives of integrity, noting that today they were global citizens who ought to espouse clear minds and embrace good virtues.

Tim Smith, head of operations – International Award Association explained that the IGE is strategically held the year before the triennial International Award Forum so as to capture the fresh input of young people. He went on to say that IGE 2011 is in tandem with the 21 Journeys document as deliberated and adopted at the last International Award Forum held in Sydney, Australia, 2009.

The speeches that were given highlighted the Award’s ability to make a difference at the local, national, and international level. Many of the attendees at the official launch were both moved and motivated by the inspirational words of the speakers. Aiman Zaidan, one of the attendees from Israel, “The ceremony highlighted the significance of the IGE and the Award. I am really looking forward to participating and contributing in the upcoming events.”

Al-Karim Khimji from Canada added, “The official launch was a memorable experience. It was great to hear from the President of Kenya and his commitment to the Award. The progress achieved and the vision for the future of Kenya, and Africa, is inspirational!”

I’ve rock climbed before, but the way I see it is that every activity presents a new challenge. For example, there was a point where I got stuck on the course and I couldn’t get a grip with my hands anywhere, so I was just hanging there, in the harness.

But everyone was shouting their encouragement and their words were a great motivation to get to the top without any other problems. Another factor adding to my success was that the belayer wouldn’t let me come down, and that’s a kind of “Each One, Reach One” mentality that was a sort of boost to get to the top.

Rock Climbing in Camp Savage

The amazing part was the reception when I got back down to the ground. It was really nice to get back down to “high fives” and congratulations! It just shows that to these Award holders, it doesn’t matter if you succeed, it’s just that you put in 110% effort.

Teams built on rafts: by Chris Fernander, Kamalsen Coolen & Al-Karim Khimji

Over the weekend, IGE delegates attended the Whitewaters Savage Camp in Sagana to experience the Kenyan outdoors. Attendees participated in rafting, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. These activities further develop the very same elements of the Award Programme that are so highly valued: leadership, teamwork and willingness to take on challenges.

Rafting was clearly the favourite actiivity for many attendees whether it was their first time, as was the case for Anna Martin from the Bahamas: “This was the first time I ever went white-water rafting. The guides were amazing, and I felt in good hands. It was a great advantage!” or for those like Jovanna Douglas from Bermuda who had never tried rafting before: It was a rush for me for the second time around; it was thrilling!”.

White water rafting in Camp Savage

Similar to Award Programme Expeditions, there were 4-6 attendees per raft and one guide as the leader. These experienced guides demonstrated rafting techniques and briefed on the risks of swimming with crocodiles or having a snake join for the ride.

Most attendees left their boats either intentionally or after capsizing and all were given the opportunity to body surf in a section known as The Devil’s Toilet Bowl. Karen L’Oiseau from Canada was one of those whose boat capsized: “We had an amazing time. When we went surfing on the wave, we are the only ones that flipped. I wish we could have done it again!”.

As Helen Keller rightly said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing!” And that is precisely what The Award Programme instills in young people, and that is also what was demonstrated by the IGE attendees during the Adventurous Activities phase at Whitewaters Savage Camp, Kenya.

My team, ‘Nyati’, along with the ‘Mwewe’ team set off from the campsite for a trek to the Donkey Hill yesterday. After having completed our Gold Award some time ago, the IGE attendees surely had lots of fun re-living their Adventurous Journey section all over again. I was informed that this particular stretch of trek was usually chosen for the Bronze Award practice expedition for participants from Nairobi.

From the start of the trek, the beauty of nature was really felt, enjoyed and appreciated by each and every team member. The new vistas opening up at each turn ahead was worth the exhausting climb to the highest point. “We get scratched everywhere by thorny bushes but yeah, they’re all worth it, as the view we get from the top is just awesome”, an overwhelmed Ebrahim Bawa, attendee from Canada, exclaimed.

IGE 2011 Attendees climb Donkey Hill as part of the Adventurous Activities.

And as for myself, I just had one single thought on my mind while returning to the campsite after having scaled the hill together, shared water together, re-lived the Award together, and most importantly, had fun together; the thought was — the Award Programme has indeed been ‘challenging young people everywhere’, and joining the Award family, way back when I started my Bronze Award, had been the very best decision of my life.

By Rajarshi Banerjee (India)

IGE Staff registering incoming Attendees at KCB Leadership Centre, Karen, Kenya

As the IGE gets underway, some attendees and staff were asked to share their thoughts on the days to come.

“I want to learn from other attendees, especially those who are doing amazing things with the Programme. We are still developing the Award in Malaysia so I think I will be able to share things with my friends and colleagues when I return to help develop the Award further.” Ravichandran Balasubramaniam, Malaysia

“I’m pretty excited because it’s a great way to meet different people and to share ideas and experiences but the most important thing I am excited about is that we will be able to give back to the local community.” Lois Kapeza, Zambia

“I arrived at midnight, but have already learnt about a lot of things. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to learn how to improve the Award in my country.” Mihaela Stanciu, Romania

“The excitement of the staff is palpable and it is double for the attendees” James Kinyanjui, IGE operations manager.

Service is one of four Sections of the Award Programme, and requires participants to engage with their community, whether through community service projects, conservation work, voluntary service or specialised training, such as lifesaving. However, there is some evidence that the kinds of activities interpreted as ‘service’ or ‘volunteering’ can be very different by country. This is one of the areas that the research will probe in more detail and what better way to reach all these countries than at the IGE where over 50 countries are represented.

So my question to fellow Gold Award Holders is what impact and value does the Award Programme have to you personally? Is it something for your CV or is it more?

My own preparation for this event began three years ago, when my good friend and mentor, Kate Leroux attended the 2008 IGE in Mauritius. Leading by example, she showed me that there is life after Gold, and what the rewards of staying committed to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme could be. Kate had returned from the IGE having created lasting friendships, experienced new adventures and with a vision of how the Award Programme in Canada can improve and grow.

Maintaining the attitude of I wanting to continue being involved with the Award Award Programme, I have taken every opportunity to stay involved. I have volunteered at the International Secretariat, where I assisted in the publication of Award World, and with other marketing and fundraising research initiatives. I even have had the privilege of interviewing HRH The Earl of Wessex in an promotional YouTube video on the Award, along with fellow Gold Award achiever, Jassin Rezai! Back at home in Ontario, Canada, I help to assess Awards, and help out at Award ceremonies.

Upon hearing that the 2011 IGE was going to be held in Kenya, I jumped at the chance to send in my application! Afterall, I had completed my Adventurous Journey and Residential Project in Kenya! Getting prepared for this trip has been an exciting and educational process, as this year’s IGE theme is “Each One, Reach One”. Armed with the knowledge of the different workshops taking place during our two weeks in Kenya, each delegate must come prepared to discuss these topics and be knowledgeable on what our own NAA is doing within each of these categories. We have had to do our research, talking with our Award leaders and gathering information on our NAA’s policies and viewpoints on the following topics: fundraising, communications, research, leader training, youth policy, and governance.

Every delegate must come at the top of their game – ready to contribute their ideas, stories, experiences. Now just a day’s travel away, I’m ready to come together with 100 other excited and driven delegates from all over the world to try to make a difference, and “Each One, Reach One” by taking our experiences at the 2011 IGE and make a lasting difference within our own communities.”

Julia Wong
Canadian Delegate IGE 2011
Gold Award Achiever 2007

Most people have heard of Gold Award Holders’ Associations (GAHAs), Award Ambassadors and Gold Award holders acting as conference organisers or volunteers, but not many people hear about Gold Award holders who are part of the World Fellowship or Young Fellowship.

Young Fellows are a network of successful, like-minded individuals, united in their desire to ensure the sustainability of the Award. Their support helps the IAA continue their work to expand and develop the Programme worldwide. The Young Fellows category of the World Fellowship is open to all those people of a youthful disposition (the under 50s!) who want to make a difference to the lives of young people.

Sunir Chandaria attended the IGE in 2002 which was hosted by Canada and is also a Young Fellow. He describes below his experience of the IGE in Canada:

“I attended the IGE when we hosted it in Canada in 2002. This was one of the more rewarding and exhilirating experiences of my long relationship with the Award. In addition to being positioned to show-off our beautiful country, I had occasion to build relations with 60-70 youth from 50-odd countries around the world, all of whom were bound by their passion for the International Award for Young People.

I came away from the experience more knowledgeable of how the Award operates globally and better positioned to understand and provide feedback on the relevance and value of initiatives we were considering in Ontario and across Canada. For example, I learned much of the focus of the Award on disadvantaged youth (both, disabled and incarcerated) in other nations of the world. Since then, Canada has injected a more significant focus on this demographic of youth and found some very exciting success along the way, too!

You will build bonds with people that are presently difficult to imagine – true friendships you will maintain for life. In today’s world of online social networking, you will have an easier time than any generation of IGE delegates before you to remain connected, ensure ongoing relevance of the discussions and ideas you develop, and, ultimately, a more real responsiblity for ensuring that at least some of your priorities materialize.”

- Sunir Chandaria (submitted by email).

Further information regarding the Young Fellowship within the IAA can be found at: http://www.intaward.org/supporters/Young-Fellows/