International Award for Young People now in the Philippines
The Duke of Edinburg’s Award International Association, Asia Pacific Region in cooperation with DLS-CSB SDEAS conducted the first Award Leader Training last February 13 and 14 at the CSB Hotel International Conference Center.
Started in 1956, in the United Kingdom, the International Award for Young People is a challenging self development programme which gives young people aged between 14 and 25, regardless of their background, abilities or circumstances, an opportunity to experience challenge and adventure, to acquire new skills and to make new friends.
The Programme was designed with great care by a small team, led by HRH The Duke of Edinburg; Dr Kurt Hahn and Lord John Hunter. It has since grown and now operates in 68 countries with 800,000 young people participating per year. The Award in Asia Pacific operates through National Award Authorities in 10 countries and with 60 Independent Operators in 16 countries.
DLS-CSB SDEAS is the first Independent Operator in the Philippines and the fi rst to operate in the world to cater to Deaf youth. Twenty one (21) attendees were faculty, coordinators, and staff members from SDEAS, together with Dean Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez, who also heads the Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation, and Ms. Ma. Giselle M. Montero, Director of the Center for Partnership and Development.
The attendees are now certified Award leaders who can help the participant to choose their activities; provide advice, support and encouragement to the participants. The participants can go through four mandatory Sections: Service, Adventurous Journey, Skills and Physical Recreation in three levels: Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Mr. Rob Oliphant, Regional Programme Manager, facilitated the leader training, and was assisted by Ms. Delia Banzuelo-Holohan. Both were from the Asia Pacifi c Regional Offi ce in Sydney, Australia.
Other partners joining the group included representatives from The British School Manila, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross Youth, and The Philippine Christian Foundation. For more information, you may visitwww.intaward.org.
