Celebrating 60 years of impact

Throughout 2023, we are commemorating our past and celebrating our future. Our 60th anniversary celebrations are for all members of our community, past and present, and honour the impact the Award has on our communities, individuals, and making a change in the world. 

His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh joined us in April, alongside Award Volunteers and Award Holders, and the Award community to celebrate our 60 years of impact within Canada.  

Here are some of the highlights from the celebrations:  

Award Holder Celebration Toronto  
Our first official event to launch the 60th anniversary celebration- Royal Visit was an Award Holder Celebration to recognize and celebrate the achievements of young people. His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh KG GCVO and The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario met with the Gold Award Recipients and Award Holders to congratulate them and showcase their achievements. 

Photo credit: Curtis Martin

Youth Summit 
Moderated by Silver Award Holder, Fahd Alhattab with special guest, HRH, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario the Youth Forum was an engaging discussion with Award participants and Leaders.   

Participants and Award Leaders from schools across the Greater Toronto Area were asked questions to help us build a stronger Award for the future. The questions were pulled from our recent Brand Awareness study, weaving in the four Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development scenarios and related research on trends in education.  This forum stimulated debate about how the Award might contend with potential future challenges that young people are facing today, how we might better support their formal education, what needs to be done so they get the most out of the Award, and how it can benefit all young people across Canada.  

Photo credit: Curtis Martin

Non-Formal Education Summit
The Non-Formal Education Summit was an engaging discussion on the merits of non-formal learning, hosted by The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario with special guest, His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. Key education stakeholders stimulated debate about how the Award can support formal education structures and benefit young people across Canada. 

Photo credit: Curtis Martin 

Licence Signing
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh witnessed this milestone of growth for the Award firsthand. We are delighted to officially welcome: Scouts Canada, Girl Guides of Canada, Aga Khan Council of Canada and South East Cornerstone Public School Division to the Award community!   

Photo credit: Curtis Martin

Odd Squad
Odd Squad Productions is a charitable organization comprised of serving and retired police officers and volunteers. Odd Squad educates youth, encourages positive goal-setting and healthy choices around risky behaviour, and encourages youth to keep drug-free for a long and healthy life. 

The Odd Squad visit was a true Award in Action event which gave His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh the opportunity to visit the Award Centre and interact with participants. It showcased the positive impact the Award has on the lives of young people at this Award Centre, while giving young people the ability to have personal interaction with His Royal Highness. In addition, it recognizes young people’s efforts and the Award leaders for their mentorship and their continued efforts.  

Photo credit: Lynn Peck

Award Centres Forum 
Award Coordinators and school Senior Leadership representatives from BC were invited to attend a workshop on the merits of non-formal education and utilizing the Award framework within the context of formal education. His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, discussed the merits of non-formal education in helping young people prepare themselves for life and work.

Discussions with educators and Award Leaders around the use of the Award as a co-curricular were the focus of the session. While educators are helping young adults prepare to meet the ever-evolving global challenges of today and tomorrow, experiential and formal learning are both important and necessary. The Award believes that when delivered as separate entities they both offer value to the recipient, but when delivered as co-curricula, they enhance each other and offer a wholistic learning experience for students.  Formal education helps young people figure out what they what they want to do. Experiential learning helps young people discover who they want to be.    

If you are interested in becoming an operating partner, contact us today!

Photo Credit: Lynn Peck

Award Holder Celebration Vancouver
Our last official event to end the 60th anniversary celebration- Royal Visit was an Award Holder Celebration to recognize and celebrate the achievements of young people. His Royal Highness, The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh KG GCVO, The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and The Honorable Angélique Bernard, Commissioner of Yukon met with the Gold Award Recipients and Award Holders to congratulate them and showcase their achievements.

Photo Credit: Lynn Peck

Media Spotlight on The Award
Be sure check out some of the news coverage and other media celebrating our 60th Anniversary here.

The Celebrations Continue
Throughout 2023, the Award celebrates 60 years of supporting young people to become world ready. We invite you participate in our celebrations and help us empower future generations of young people. Click here to join the celebrations. 

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