The Award is a leading structured youth development program, empowering all young Australians between age 14 to 25 to explore their full potential regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.
Each young person who takes part in the Award learns a skill, improves their physical well being, volunteers in their community and experiences a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, Supervisors, and mentors.
The Key elements of our program are:
- Open to all between the ages of 14 to 25.
- Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, each progressively more challenging.
- Four Sections: Physical Recreation, Skill, Service, Adventurous Journey
- Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.
Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our Participants:
- Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best;
- Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices;
- Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community;
- Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement;
- Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success;
- Learn important life skills; and
- Increase their career opportunities.
Today more than 140 countries have adopted The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award program with over 8 million young people having participated worldwide. Locally over 700,000 young people have completed the Award in Australia in the past 57 years, with on average 40,000 very diverse participants annually working towards achieving an Award.
The Fundamentals of the Award
Regular participation in activities is required to meet the time requirements of each Award Section and Level.
Focuses on capacity building by encouraging all young Australians to make independent decisions and to negotiate priorities through participation.
Provides a framework that works with all young people in any conceivable situation. This includes youth at risk, Indigenous youth, new refugees, marginalised youth, young people in regional and remote communities, and young people with disabilities.
Assists with the provision of social infrastructure in the community and draws together and connects people, institutions and generations with the common purpose of youth development and inclusion.
For more information go to dukeofed.com.au.