FOUNDATION
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Malta set up a Malta Foundation in May 2014. The purpose and objectives of the Foundation are as follows :
- To operate the Award Programme in Malta and approve such Awards in accordance with the Award Principles of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People;
- To comply with, attain and maintain the Fundamental Standards and the minimum required standards for a National Award Authority;
- To enter into a Full Licence Agreement with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation within five years of the grant of the Conditional Licence given in 2013;
- To support and aid the development of the Award Programme in Malta and to participate in the regional/world promotion of the Award to youths around the globe;
SUPERVISORY COUNCIL (ALSO KNOWN AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES)
The Foundation has a Supervisory Council which has the power and the duty to exercise supervision over the acts of the National Committee whilst also supporting them in carrying out their duties.
The members to serve as Trustees on the Supervisory Council are:
Dr Lara Tonna Grima – Chairperson
Mr George Farrugia – Vice-Chair
Mr Kenneth De Martino
Ms Stephanie Falzon
Ms Vanessa Borg
Ms Angela Borg Millo – Board Secretary
Mr Bernard Micallef Cann
Mr Josef Micallef – Safeguarding Lead
The National Award Office (NAO) is made up of a team of employees and volunteers responsible for the operations and delivery of the Award in Malta.
NAO Staff:
Chantelle Cassar Saguna – National Director
Ritienne Farrugia – Programme Coordinator
NAO Volunteers:
Tania Bezzina
Pam Bonello
Glen Catania
Leondine Gatt
Ivan Grech
Our Patron
The President of Malta, H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono is the Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Malta.
Myriam Spiteri Debono was elected President of the Republic of Malta on the 4th April 2024.
A Parliamentary resolution on 27th March 2024, approved her nomination as the eleventh President of Malta.
On the 4th of June 2024, the Award’s Board of Trustees and the National Committee paid an official visit to the President where she accepted her patronage of the Award in Malta.
HISTORY OF THE AWARD
The Award Programme grew out of the efforts of three men, who were responding to a common anxiety about how best to engage young people. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was set up in 1956, by HRH Prince Philip, Kurt Hahn, a German educationalist, and Lord Hunt, leader of the first successful ascent of Everest. Based on the philosophy of Hahn, the Programme was designed around four sections: Rescue & Public Service Training, the Expedition, Pursuits & Projects, and Fitness.
Although initially only available to boys aged between 14 and 18, there was great demand for a similar scheme for girls, and this was launched in September 1958. The Programme continued to evolve over subsequent decades, until 1980. At this point, the upper age limit was extended to 25, and the Programme took on its current four Section format of: Service, Adventurous Journey, Skills and Physical Recreation.
THE AWARD GOES GLOBAL
As soon as the Award was launched there was great interest from outside the UK. It spread initially through the enthusiasm of international schools, but soon youth organisations across the British Commonwealth were running the Programme.By 1971 the Award operated in 31 countries; this had increased to 48 countries by 1989 as it spread beyond the boundaries of the Commonwealth. Such rapid expansion led to the formation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association (IAA) in 1988. At the same time, the overall title of The International Award for Young People was adopted to describe the Award worldwide. Many countries adopted different names for their Award Programme particularly those outside the Commonwealth. These different names still exist today but whatever the name, the Award’s the same!
AN AWARD FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
Global expansion over the last 50 years has enabled the Award to reach more and more young people. Today there are over 120 countries operating the Award – 60 of these on a national basis. However, the Programme is now expanding in other ways, targeting those who have not previously had opportunities to develop themselves. Recent Award projects around the world have focused on involving young offenders, those with disabilities, street kids and aboriginal communities. The impact of the Award on many of these young people is extraordinary: it transforms their lives. The Award has come a long way since 1956, when it was launched in the UK. It is as relevant as ever and has something to offer every young person in the world, wherever they are, and whatever their circumstances.
