Republic of Mauritius- Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award: Gold Award recipients rewarded

​GIS  – 20 September, 2019: An award ceremony, to reward 52 young women and 25 young men, who have successfully completed the Gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, was held, yesterday, at the State House, Réduit.  The Acting President of the Republic, Mr Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Stephan Toussaint, and other personalities were present.

In his keynote address, the Acting President of the Republic who is also Patron of the Award, congratulated all Gold Award recipients for having successfully excelled in the completion of the programme. He enumerated the opportunities created by the Award programme for the participants namely: to develop life skills, serve the community, experience adventure, as well as to enhance their employability skills.

Mr Vyapoory pointed out that this transformative journey has nurtured self-confidence in the recipients and helped them become more resilient as well as demonstrate leadership capabilities as regards problem solving. The acquisition of these capabilities complements their formal education, he added.

The International Award, he underlined, has played a vital role in contributing significantly to the character-building of young participants, with emphasis on key qualities such as integrity, humility, respect, generosity, and patriotism. On this score, he appealed to them, as agents of change, to be dedicated and committed so as to adapt to challenges and achieve ambitious life goals.

For his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports recalled that this Gold Award ceremony recognises the achievements of dynamic and determined young people while adding that all traits of character have been developed and enhanced through this adventurous programme.

Minister Toussaint also commended the commitment of participating colleges and NGOs as well as teachers who have worked during week-ends and holidays to accompany groups of youngsters on training. The Mauritius Police Force, the Special Mobile Force, the National Coast Guard and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services have also provided assistance during outdoor activities, he underscored. 

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

The Award, run under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is the world’s leading youth achievement award, equipping young people for life. It is available to all young people aged 14 to 24 years old in a bid to encourage them to design their own programme of activities, set their own goals and challenge themselves to achieve their aims. It also presents to young people a balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility towards themselves and service to their community.