Message from the CEO: Make it Known Monday – Kicking Off Award Awareness Week 2024

Welcome to Award Awareness Week 2024! I’m thrilled to kick off this special week with Make it Known Monday—a day dedicated to celebrating and sharing the impactful work we’re doing at Award Canada. 

As one of the “Big 6” global youth organizations, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award’s mission is clear: to empower young people with the skills and confidence they need to navigate the transition from youth to adulthood. With over 60 years of experience in Canada, and a presence in over 120 countries, the Award provides a globally recognized, non-formal learning framework that positively impacts young people’s lives. 

Why “Award Canada”? 

You may have noticed we’re embracing the name “Award Canada” more frequently. This change reflects a need to ensure Canada is recognized in this global network of Award operators, especially on social media. While we are very proud of our full name The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada, we hope everyone will come to recognize our shortened, informal use of “Award Canada”, which we hope makes our work more identifiable and easily used by more people. 

The Award is built on guiding principles that help young people discover themselves, their likes and dislikes, and helps them develop their strengths and celebrate the achievements they attain outside of the classroom. This structured yet flexible framework encourages young people to ignite their passions and develop their own character through personal goal setting, mentorship, and reflection. 

Increasing Access and Impact 

During this Award Awareness Week, I want to highlight several key initiatives aimed at increasing our access, reach, and impact: 

1. Co-curricular Approach: Our newly developed Co-curricular Approach is designed to provide greater opportunities for students and educators within public education. With the guidance of education consultant, Laura Briscoe, we are testing this approach over the next 18 months. This initiative connects experiential, non-formal, and formal learning, acting as a catalyst to improve student outcomes and achievements. By embedding the Award framework within the school environment, we are addressing critical global educational challenges such as declining student performance, teacher burnout, and the pressing need for transferable skills.

This approach is designed to be flexible, with pilot discussions underway in several provinces across the country. We believe that integrating the Award into the educational landscape will significantly enhance the learning experience for students across Canada.

2. Virtual Award Centres (VAC) Cohorts: We are thrilled to introduce our VAC Guided Support Model, which provides a unique opportunity for participants to engage and collaborate with peers while working towards their Award. Through this model, young people can connect with like-minded individuals, and benefit from enhanced mentorship and support.

Participants will enjoy a buddy system, dedicated 1-on-1 support from trained Virtual Award Leaders, and a comprehensive digital Award Playbook to help them stay motivated and on track throughout their Award journey. 

3. End of Year Giving Campaign: As we reflect on the achievements of our Award Holders, we are reminded of the impact your support has on equipping young people with essential life skills, like resilience, and confidence — qualities that prepare them to become #WorldReady and unlock their #InfinitePotential. 

Feedback from Award Holders highlights the transformative experience of the Award: 

• 72% reported increased confidence in speaking or presenting. 

• 90% felt happier working cooperatively in groups. 

• 86% gained confidence in considering different viewpoints. 

• 84% indicated they complete what they start, regardless of obstacles. 

• 79% experienced increased confidence in thinking creatively. 

If you believe that today’s young people need a better start in life and a better chance to succeed, then I implore you to think about giving to our End of Year Campaign. A small monthly donation from all those who have benefitted from the Award in times gone-by, or who saw what the Award did for somebody else, would have a huge impact on our work. 

The Award framework is a catalyst for positive change, creating pathways for young people to discover what they want to do and the person they want to become. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives. 

Join Us in Celebrating! 

Whether you’re an Award participant, parent, educator, or supporter, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable impact of the Award this week. Share your stories, tag us on social media, and help us spread the word about the opportunities available through The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Canada. 

Together, we can make it known that the Award is a powerful tool for youth development. Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued support as we celebrate the incredible progress we’re making together! 

Sincerely,

Stephen De-Wint
Chief Executive Officer, Award Canada

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