Pictured above:   This is a programme for youths aged 14 to 25, which allows the development of individuals in a non-competitive environment

Prince Edward, Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Council, is currently in Malta to chair the 11^th Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Forum between Wednesday and Sunday at the Corinthia San Gorg, St Julian’s.

This is the culmination of a three-year preparatory process after Malta successfully bid to host the Forum in 2009, when the last Forum was held in Australia.

The Forum in Malta, which will be attended by over 300 delegates from 66 countries, is considered to be one of the most important Forum meetings to be organised in over 50 years and The President’s Award in Malta is proud to be hosting such an event.

One of the major outcomes of the Forum is expected to be a re-branding of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award globally, combined with a new method to deliver the Award to make sure it reaches out to as many youths as possible around the world. It is also expected to enable the delegates from the individual Award authorities to have the opportunity to share experiences and best practice.

The opening ceremony will be hosted by the President of Malta, Dr George Abela, at the Palace, Valletta, with the Forum including opportunities for the youths present to show off their talents, engage in fellowship and develop the strategy for the Award for the years ahead.

According to Chairman of the Host Committee Kenneth de Martino: “Apart from having the support of so many friends and collaborators, we wish to extend our gratitude for the sponsorship received from the Government of Malta, Banif Bank, Corinthia Group, the KDM Group and the Janatha Stubbs Foundation.

“We would also like to thank various event sponsors, including the Office of the President of Malta, Delicata Winery, the Strickland Foundation, the Forestals Group, Alert Communications, The Rug Company, G4S and Studio 7.”

The President’s Award is a programme for youths aged 14 to 25, which allows the development of individuals in a non-competitive environment. It assists them in the development of life skills and enables them to be better prepared for the challenges of life in the adult world.

One of the activities is an obstacle course

Beach cleaning

Although the Award has already transformed countless young people’s lives from young offenders to street children to former child soldiers, the proposed new way of working, which will be launched in Malta, will mean that the Award can reach many more.

Since the Award was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 over eight million people have participated in the Award in over 140 countries and territories, making it the world’s leading youth achievement award. It was launched in Malta in 1961 as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Malta Branch, but it changed to The President’s Award – Malta, to reflect the tremendous support it receives from the Presidency.

For more information on The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and to find out how you can get involved visit www.intaward.org. For more information about the Award in Malta visit www.presidentsaward.org.mt.