Celebrating the life of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT

April 09th, 2021

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/9/21

An inspirational and committed champion of young people worldwide

It is with great sadness that The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award acknowledges the death of our Founder HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT.

Sixty-five years ago, His Royal Highness established The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK. Since then, it has been delivered in more than 130 countries and territories, equipping and empowering millions of young people to build the skills, confidence and resilience they need to support their communities and be ready for the world. 

John May, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation says: 

‘The International Award family mourns the loss of our inspirational Founder. Prince Philip’s belief in the infinite potential of young people, coupled with his championing of non-formal education and learning, positioned him as a leader and thinker of truly global stature. 

Through the personal leadership and involvement of Prince Philip, the Award that bears his name has transformed the lives of millions of young people since it started in 1956 and has impacted countless more in local communities.  As young people face exceptional challenge and change in the wake of the current pandemic, this “do-it-yourself growing-up kit”, as he described it, is even more relevant today than ever. 

His Royal Highness’s passion for, and commitment to, the work of the Award and the development of young people continued until the last. His determination, energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.’

From its founding, The Duke has been committed to ensuring the Award is accessible to young people of all backgrounds. Around the world, the Award has provided opportunities to at risk and marginalized young individuals, including post-conflict communities (Cote d`Ivoire; Uganda); disability groups (Indonesia); suicide prevention (New Zealand); indigenous peoples (Belize, Australia) and young offenders (Ghana, South Africa). 

Every year, more than a million young people participate in the Award worldwide, supported by around 200,000 volunteers. Whilst it is known by a number of different names globally – from The President’s Award in South Africa, to The International Award for Young People in India, the framework remains the same. 

Elizabeth Higgins-Beard, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – USA noted:

‘As we share our sympathies, we also celebrate the life of The Duke of Edinburgh. His vision for the Award to reach all young people and his commitment to see it succeed in the USA remain in his stead. We are committed to teaming with the International Award Association, our international Chairman HRH The Earl of Wessex, our volunteers, supporters, and staff to continue his legacy of empowering young people with leadership skills and resilience to become world ready.’

At this time, the Award family encourages anyone who would like to share a message of condolence, or memories of the Award and what it means to them to visit www.facebook.com/TheAwardUSA.

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About Award USA

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, equipping young people for life. With a proven framework operating in more than 130 countries and territories around the world, the Award is available for all young people ages 14 to 24, regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. It is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political or religious affiliations.

Its US division, #AwardUSA, is now in its fourth year. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic halting many traditional educational, employment and leadership opportunities, Award USA’s structure and skill-building opportunities are a critical resource for young people coming of age during these difficult times. As today’s young people face the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 as well as calls to address racial injustice, the Award is dedicated to ensuring that young people will have what they need for the future: to benefit from great non-formal education and learning. For more information on the impact of the International Award, including recent social value analysis, please visit www.intaward.org/impact/social-value.

• Information about Award USA can be found here. More details about the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award are available here.
• A Tribute film can be found here.
• The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global, non-formal education framework which challenges young people to develop new skills, get physically active, learn about teamwork and leadership through adventurous journey and volunteer within their community.
• It was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, in conjunction with German educationalist Kurt Hahn. 
• There are currently more than a million young people completing their own unique Award program, via hundreds of thousands of youth-focused partners and operators, including schools, youth organizations, examination boards and youth offender institutions.
• The Award is delivered around the world by schools, colleges, universities, employers, social clubs, uniformed and non-uniformed youth organizations, young offenders’ institutions, religious organizations, sports clubs, and a whole host of other civic organizations. 
• From running as an established program in a blind boys’ academy in India, to the introduction into youth organizations in Israel and projects working with teenage mothers in New Zealand; the Award’s framework can support and thrive in a multitude of different environments.
• Since its launch over 60 years ago, millions of young people have participated and received Awards, with millions more benefitting from its impact in communities around the world.
• The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex is Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.
• National and international case studies, imagery and additional video content are available on request.  

Media Contact: Tracy Jensen, Frizz Marketing, tracy@frizzmarketing.com, (630) 426-9712