The region(Asia, Pacific) is pleased to welcome our newest Independent Operator (IO) and the first in Vanuatu – the Stade Youth Association. This follows on from Award Leader Training in 2010, which included several of the young people involved in the local community youth work group. Thirty young people will commence their Bronze Award Programmes. Our region now has over 115 IOs from 18 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Young people growing up in this modern complicated world have many difficulties to face, and opportunities for personal achievement are often limited. At the same time, parents, teachers, volunteer organisation leaders and employers, who recognise their responsiblities towards young people, also have their problems. This programme is intended to help both the young as well as those who are concerned for their welfare. the object is to provide an introduction to worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service, as a challenge to the individual to discoveer the satisfaction of achievement and as a guide for those people and organisation who would like to encourage the developement of their younger fellow citizens.
How the Award changes lives:
"Before I did the Award I didn't have any future plans or vision for my life - how could I think about my future? I lost everything." Vijayaraja Miruthiika, Award participant from Sri Lanka.
"All of the young people I work with through the Award are inspiring in one way or another. Being involved in the Award Programme has had a huge effect on me too.
"It motivated me to further my studies and, in 2007, I completed a National Diploma in Youth Development. The Award gives me the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile. I believe I’ve found my calling in life." Shareen, Award leader from South Africa.
The Award is helping to change young people's lives all over the world, equipping them with skills and experience to make a difference to their lives and their communities.
A participant stated that "
"Before participating in the Award, never in all my wildest dreams did I think I would be capable of handling such challenges. It is an experience which I will treasure for the rest of my life."
Award participant, Hong Kong......
To gain an Award, participants must complete activities in four Sections for a specified minimum period of time. There is an additional requirement of a Residential Project at Gold Level. Participants decide what they would like to do for each Section.
Service
Participants engage with their community and discover the impact they can have through:
- Community service projects
- Conservation work
- Voluntary service in hospitals or community homes
- More specialised training such as lifesaving, first aid or rescue services.
The Adventurous Journey is about adventure and discovery. Participants develop an understanding of the environment, and the importance of working together in a team with a common purpose. It can be on foot, by bicycle, boat or on horseback. Training, preparation, self sufficiency and self-reliance are the key elements.
Skills
The Skills Section is about developing personal interests and learning practical skills. There are almost limitless possibilities to choose from. There is no set standard that participants must reach: they set their own goals and measure their progress against them.
Physical Recreation
By undertaking some form of organised and regular physical activity, participants show perseverance and improve their fitness. Their goal is to record their individual progress. Most team and individual sports are included, such as football, athletics, and archery.
As every individual is different, so too are the challenges that young people undertake to achieve an award. With guidance from adults, each young person shuold be encourage to reflect upon their interests, abilities and ambitions and then set themselves, their hidden depths of character and developing as a human being in the process. Now thats a sense of achievement!
It is important that these challenges are at the right level for the individual participants. Too easy and there will be ni sense of real achievement. Too difficult and the young person may give up in despair.
Participants do not have to be good at anything to get an award, they simple need to set personally challenging targets for improvement and then strive to reach these targets. A young person will get out of the Award what they put into it. There are no short cuts to a real sense of achivement, it has to be earned.
" What i hear i forget, what i see i remember, what i do i understand.." confucius, chinese philosopher.
