Award World No 60 – Welcome!

We’re really excited about this issue of Award World. Not only are we bringing you the usual 24 pages of news, best practice guides (this month we are focusing on the Physical Recreation Section and Quality Assurance) and compelling stories from around the globe, but in the centre you’ll find a bonus four-page pull-out on the International Gold Event (IGE), which took place in Mauritius last October. This special section has been written by our new International Youth Reps who are just embarking on their three-year commitment to support the Award. One of the key initiatives discussed at the IGE was the Global Award Holders’ Network (GAHN), a concept, which was proposed by the Award in Singapore a few years ago. Singapore’s National Youth Achievement Award has a thriving network of Gold Award holders, which you can read all about on page 10.

As well as reporting back on the IGE, this issue gets to grip with some pressing global issues. According to Unicef, around 20 million children have been forced to flee their homes because of conflicts. More than 6 million have been permanently disabled or seriously injured over the last decade as a direct result of armed conflict, and an estimated 300,000 child soldiers are currently involved in 30 conflicts worldwide. Humanitarian aid is an important part of helping these children, but the Award can also play a vital role. Read our feature on page 14 to find out how Award operators are using the Programme as a positive intervention in the most difficult of circumstances. These projects remind us of the importance of ensuring that all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to experience the Award’s transformative power.