Africa-Press – Mauritius. A batch of 57 Gold Award recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Mauritius were rewarded, yesterday, with certificates and badges, during a ceremony held at the State House in Réduit.
The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, presented Gold Award badges to the young Mauritians and the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Stephan Toussaint, presented them with the certificates.
In his keynote address, President Roopun congratulated the recipients for having successfully completed the Gold level of the programme. Around 10 000 youngsters and 500 volunteers have been involved in the programme from January to December 2022, he highlighted.
He indicated that his Royal Highness Prince Edward has been conferred the title of the Duke of Edinburgh’s in March 2023 by his Majesty King Charles III and had completed the Gold level in 1986. The 57 awardees will, therefore, be the first batch from Mauritius to receive certificates bearing the signature of Prince Edward, he pointed out.
Speaking about the Award, President Roopun underscored that it embodies the spirit of adventure, team work, leadership, and encourages the youth to get out of their comfort zone while ensuring their personal growth.
The Programme, he emphasised, inculcated participants with essential values, a sense of responsibility, resilience, empathy, and self-confidence. These, he added, will help them to face future challenges.
As far as the new digitalised landscape is concerned, President Roopun called upon the youth to strike the right balance between the physical and the virtual world, and to harness the power of technology for a modern Mauritius.
He also urged them to remember the values and lessons learnt as they embark on their next adventure, and to share their experiences while inspiring others to join the programme.
For his part, Minister Toussaint underlined the challenges encountered by the participants during the Programme and congratulated them for their remarkable achievement.
He thanked the awardees’ parents and the stakeholders who accompanied them throughout the programme, before encouraging the youngsters to put into practice what they learnt during their journey.
The Award Concept The Award was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT, in the United Kingdom. The Programme was launched in Mauritius in 1966 by two volunteers from England.
The Award concept, comprising three levels (bronze, silver and gold), is an individual challenge. Each level comprises four sections: Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey.
It thus creates opportunities for young people to, amongst others, develop skills, get physically active, and experience adventure. It also plays a critical role in their development so as to become more confident and resilient.
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