Physical Recreation

by

Earning the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Developed in 1956 by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh award is meant to foster the development of physical, practical and social skills in teenagers, and engage them in volunteer projects to better themselves and their communities. The programme resembles the Scout Association and other youth programmes, but does not require any sort of uniform or membership in a particular organisation. From its origins in the UK, the Duke of Edinburgh award and variations thereof are currently dispensed in over 140 countries.

Earning the Duke of Edinburgh award requires achievements in four fields: service, skills, physical recreation and adventurous journey. The Duke of Edinburgh established the award in coordination with Kurt Hahn, a German educator who established a philosophy of youth education that remains influential today. The four categories of achievement the award requires are based on Hahn’s “Six Declines of Modern Youth,” which include declines in imagination, fitness, compassion and skill related to technological changes infiltrating modern life. Hahn wanted to cultivate attitudes of social interest and adventurous spirit in modern youth instead. The first iteration of the programme was administered in part by John Hunt, famous for leading the 1953 British expedition to Mount Everest, the first confirmed successful ascent of the earth’s highest mountain.

Tunde Folawiyo Recent participants have screened films at the Cannes Film Festival, competed in National Geographic Magazine’s Mission Cover Shoot competition, and launched micro-financing campaigns in the Solomon Islands. In 2013, the Duke of Edinburgh charity showed a ten percent increase in new participants, and over one hundred thousand Duke of Edinburgh awards were earned in the UK. The number of global participants is currently tallied at 850,000, with over 8 million total participants in the programme’s fifty-eight year history.

In addition to the program for youths, the organisation also coordinates a network of generous donors who wish to work in the support of youth development worldwide. The Fellowship supplies a capital investment which secures the future of the International Award Association. Founded in 1987, the World Fellowship meets all over the world to promote the organisation. The World Fellowship Anniversary Dinner is held once a year, often at a palace in London. Nigerian businessman Tunde Folawiyo is also a fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh’s World Fellowship. For more information on his work in the business world and elsewhere, readers can see a Tunde Folawiyo executive profile here.

by

The growing network of DofE programmes in Africa | Tunde Folawiyo

The D of E has proven to be very popular in Africa; there are now 20 independent award centres, and 21 national operators across the continent. In South Africa, the programme is known as the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, and is run with the help of volunteer leaders. Much like the D of E in the UK, the primary goal of the award here is to offer young people the structure and support they need to develop their unique talents, and boost their self-esteem. Those running the President’s Award place the emphasis on personal development, rather than competitiveness, and encourage participants to focus on fulfilling their own aspirations, rather than worrying about competing with others.

Tunde Folawiyo
In Nigeria – the homeland of Tunde Folawiyo – the D of E is called the Nigerian National Youth Award, and is run by Dr. Jophia Gupar. The Bronze and the Silver awards here are called the Chairman’s and the Governor’s awards, respectively. However, aside from the titles, the programme itself is very similar to the one run in the UK, with four main categories of activities at each level; Adventurous Journey, Physical Recreation, Skills and Services.

It was originally introduced during the seventies by General Yakubu Gowon (the Head of State at that time); however, it wasn’t until 1986 that the programme was officially launched by President Ibrahim Babangida. Eleven years later, Nigeria set up its own independent award centre, with the help of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Tunde Folawiyo, and others who are familiar with the DofE, understand how beneficial this programme can be for young people; the beauty of it, is that it not only gives its participants the chance to thrive, but also encourages them to help others do the same. Take for example, Obinwanne, a Gold award recipient from Nigeria; as part of his Services activities, he decided to use football to reduce the levels of crime in his neighbourhood.

He realised that one of the main reasons so many teenagers were involved in crime was simply because they had nowhere else to direct their energy; that is, they had no goals, ambitions, or hobbies to keep them occupied. After setting up a football club in his local area, the crime rates began to drop dramatically, resulting in a more peaceful and safe environment for the entire community. Moreover, many of those who joined the club have since decided to pursue careers in this sport.