Championing the Change-makers of Tomorrow

 

As The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award) continues to expand globally, so too does the need to amplify the voices of future generations – the change-makers of tomorrow. Young people everywhere are leading the charge on the issues they’re deeply passionate about, from advocating for quality education and equal opportunities to striving for equity in their communities and addressing the impending climate crisis they face. Right now, as youth employment is three times as high as that of adults ¹, mental health is plummeting, with one in seven 10–19-year-olds experiencing a mental disorder ² which largely goes untreated. It’s no wonder that 86% of young people are worried about their future ³.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has a rich history of empowering young people worldwide. It not only helps them to discover their purpose, passion, and place in the world but also equips them with the skills to advocate for transformative change that enhances their lives.

A recent survey of Award participants revealed that 86% improved their team skills, 82% now recognise the importance of contributing to their community, and a staggering Global Social Value of $970 (£762) million was generated in 2022 alone, underscoring the significant impact of the Award ⁴.

As part of our broader advocacy strategy, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is fully committed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to ‘shift the world to a more sustainable path.’ While we champion all 17 SDGs established in 2012, we have identified three that we believe the Award can significantly contribute to, aligning our efforts with the global Goals set for 2030.

3. Good Health and Well-being

4. Quality Education

10. Reducing Inequalities

Here at the Award, we recognise the need to act now.

As a result, we’ve forged vital advocacy partnerships with leading youth organisations dedicated to creating opportunities that uplift and support young people on their journey to adulthood.

Global Youth Mobilzation and the Big 6

In 2021, the Award, alongside the world’s largest youth movements, the Scouts, World YMCA, World YWCA, IFRC, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, joined forces with the World Health Organization and United Nations Foundation to launch the “Global Youth Mobilization” (GYM).

This ground-breaking initiative will continue to invest and scale-up youth-led solutions and youth engagement, directing support towards a generation of young people severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Stand by Me in Partnership with UNICEF

Stand By Me is a ground-breaking partnership, which sees The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia partner with UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, on a two-year project to provide vital support to young people who have been displaced or impacted by the war in Ukraine.

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Unlock Coalition

In September 2021, the UN Foundation brought together some of the biggest youth-led and youth-focused organisations to launch the Unlock the Future coalition.

At a virtual event held during high-level week at the opening of the 76th UN General Assembly, the Award, and leaders of these organisations announced the Unlock Declaration. In it, we set out our intention to join forces to build a high-ambition coalition with and for all young people and future generations.

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World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment Impact Portfolio

The Award has joined more than 6000 members of World Bank’s Solutions For Youth Employment Impact Portfolio; a global programme that brings together donors, governments, foundations, private sector companies, NGOs and youth to support catalytic actions to increase the number of young people engaged in productive work.

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References: 

  1. 2023 World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023
  2. World Mental Health Day, WHO, 2021. 3. Ureport.in, 2020
  3. Ureport.in, 2020. 4. Technology in education, Global Education Monitoring Report, UNESCO, 2022
  4. Survey of 2,738 responses from 37 countries, between January 2023 and December 2023
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