HRH Prince Edward to promote the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Zambia

This year, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Zambia promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet. This year’s award programme will see a historical appearance by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex right here in zambia.

This will be a first time visit to Zambia for the Prince. He will be in Zambia on 3rd and 4th October 2013 for a series of activities for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia. The main purpose of the Prince’s visit will be to build the profile of the Award in Zambia, highlighting its role in contributing to global development.

About Prince Edward, Earl of WessexPrince Edward is the third son and youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. On his marriage in 1999 he became The Earl of Wessex. Following his father and brothers His Royal Highness was educated at Gordonstoun in Scotland. He spent a year as a house tutor at Wanganui Colleageate School, in New Zealand, and then read history at Jesus College Cambridge, graduating in 1986.

In that same year (1986) Prince Edward achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. To gain this he participated in activities such as tennis, building a sailing hydrofoil, training junior Air Training Cadets, gaining his private pilot’s licence and organising and taking part in expeditions in the Cairngorms.

Since then Prince Edward has been heavily involved in the Award both as a UK and International Trustee, and as Chairman of the International Council. The International Council is the operating authority which controls the programme and standards in 140 countries. In 1999 he established the International Special Projects Group to provide a capital fund to broaden the reach of the Award by supporting young people at risk.

The Earl of Wessex became a trustee of the International Award Foundation in 1987.

The 2013 Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in ZambiaThis year, Prince Edward will officiate at the Gold Awards Ceremony to be held at Government House for 20 deserving Zambian participants of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The Prince will also visit the local International Award offices where he will interact with youth from various backgrounds. Prince Edward’s visit will end on a high note as a special guest at a gala dinner organised to raise funds for the award programme in Zambia, to be held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The aim of the awardsThe Awards vision is to reach more young people from diverse backgrounds and equip them as individuals to succeed in life. Its ambition is that every young person aged 14–24 in the world, whatever their situation or circumstance, should have the opportunity to participate in the Award. The Award has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

With over 1.2 billion 12–24 year olds worldwide, investment in youth development provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to influence the development of essential skills required for the future, especially in today’s increasingly competitive global marketplace.

In Zambia, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has been operating since 2009. Approximately 200 young Zambians have so far taken part in the training offered by this programme. The Award plans to have at least 600 new participants by the end of 2015. It is intended that Prince Edward’s trip will help bring these plans to fruition.

Read more about the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme here and find out who the ambassadors of this year’s awards are here.