Award Awareness Week 2024 Recap

Award Awareness Week 2024 was a remarkable celebration! From October 21 to October 25, the Award community across the country came together to honour the Award’s role in empowering young people. With support from events, flag raisings, education sessions, and social media engagement, this week showcased the inspiring ways the Award community got involved. Here’s a look back at some highlights:

Flag Raisings: Honouring the Award’s Impact Across Canada 

Award Awareness Week began with pride on Make it Known Monday, October 21, as flag-raising ceremonies were held at the Government Houses of Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia to celebrate the Award’s positive impact on young Canadians both locally and nationally. We were honoured to have the support and participation of the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, and the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Their presence marked these events with dignity and enthusiasm, recognizing the Award’s role in building future leaders across Canada. These flag raisings symbolized the growth, dedication, and accomplishments of all Award participants, serving as a public acknowledgment of the Award’s valuable contributions to communities at every level. We are incredibly grateful to the Lieutenant Governors for lending their support to these meaningful ceremonies. 

Flag-raising ceremonies across Canada (From Left to Right: Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan)

Education Info Session: Highlighting Co-Curricular Integration 

On Teamwork Tuesday, October 22, Award Canada hosted an Education Info Session with educators, school board representatives, and stakeholders in attendance. This session provided an in-depth look at the Co-curricular Approach Pilot, an exciting initiative that integrates the Award framework within schools. This pilot is designed to make experiential learning even more accessible, offering students growth opportunities within the school system. Attendees provided positive feedback, expressing enthusiasm for the pilot and its potential. 

Interested in learning more? Educators can reach out to Education Consultant, Laura Briscoe to explore how the Award can enrich student development through our innovative co-curricular approach. Connect with Laura Briscoe at lbriscoe@dukeofed.org.

Advancing Conversations on the Co-Curricular Approach 

We are excited about the ongoing conversations surrounding the Co-curricular Approach, which emphasizes the integration of the Award framework within schools to enhance student learning.  

Progress with the proposed pilot programs in Ontario is being shared with various potential pilots. Award Canada’s CEO Stephen De-Wint met with senior education directors in Prince Edward Island and during the recent visit of the International Award Association’s Secretary General, Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown visited St Mildreds’s Lightbourne School, Toronto French School, St. Augustine Catholic High School to discuss the co-curricular initiative. We appreciate the collaborative conversations and insights shared by the school teams, as these discussions are crucial for removing barriers for students, ensuring greater access to the Award. The pilots will enable educators to integrate the Award within their curricular learning goals, ultimately supporting student well-being. 

Martin was also able to meet representatives of our newest national operating partner, The Ismaili Council of Canada, where we were able to discuss how this organization can best use the Award to enhance their existing education and community development programs, across Canada. 

Visit to St. Augustine Catholic High School in Toronto, ON to discuss Award Canada’s Co-curricular Approach.

Alumni Events: Award Holder Mixer and Award Holder Celebration 

We held two memorable events for our alumni community this week. On Monday, October 21—Make it Known Monday—Award alumni gathered in Charlottetown, PEI for an Award Holder Mixer, where they connected, shared stories, and celebrated their achievements. Then closed out Award Awareness Week, on Saturday, October 26 with an Award Holder Celebration in Ottawa celebrating the achievement of 29 Gold Award recipients, where they were recognized for their dedication and accomplishments. These events allowed alumni to reconnect, foster a sense of community, and celebrate the life-changing journey that the Award offers. 

Are you an Award Holder? Stay up to date with all the alumni events by engaging with our Award Canada Alumni Network (ACAN) where you will continue connecting with the Award and fellow alumni who are passionate about sharing its mission! Learn more about the ACAN here www.dukeofed.org/award-canada-alumni-network. 

Award Holder Mixer in Charlottetown, PEI & Award Holder Celebration in Ottawa, ON

Social Media Engagement: Sharing Stories and Inspiring Others 

Throughout Award Awareness Week, we loved hearing from you and reading the personal stories shared on social media. The outpouring of posts, photos, and messages across Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook showed how deeply the Award has impacted lives. Your use of the #AwardCanada hashtag and social media frames brought new visibility to the Award, allowing its values of resilience, leadership, and community to reach broader audiences. 

Advocacy for the Award Continues Year-Round 

While Award Awareness Week may have wrapped up, celebrating and advocating for the Award doesn’t have to stop here! Every story, conversation, and post you share helps spread awareness of the Award and its mission to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive. Be an ambassador and continue to advocate for the Award’s impact in your community. The involvement and engagement of leaders at all levels are extremely valuable to the growth of the Award. 

We invite you to consider supporting the Award through a donation. Your contributions are an investment in the future of young people and a way to continue celebrating the Award and bringing awareness to its mission. To learn more about how you can give back to the Award, visit www.dukeofed.org/empowering-infinite-potential. 

Keep an eye out for announcements about next year’s celebrations—we can’t wait to see what’s next! 

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