For the third time, a ceremony was held at the Regional Office of the Ústí nad Labem Region for successful graduates of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE), who received a certificate and a badge from the hands of the Ústí nad Labem Region Councillor for Education, Youth and Sport Jindra Zalabáková and representatives of the DofE programme.
More than 320 schools and institutions across the country have already joined the DofE programme. In the Ústí nad Labem region, there are two dozen schools. The office has awarded 70 children with bronze and silver level awards (e.g. from Gymnasium Jateční in Ústí nad Labem, Gymnasium Rumburk, Gymnasium Josef Jungmann in Litoměřice, Gymnasium Václav Hlavatý in Louny or the Eliška Krásnohorská Primary School in Ústí nad Labem).
"I am delighted to welcome the successful graduates of the DofE programme back to the regional office after one year. More and more graduates are attending the ceremony every year. I see this as a huge success. The DofE students are constantly working on themselves and improving their skills, they devote their free time to many interesting activities. We need skilful and active people like you, dofacs, in the Ústí nad Labem Region. I hope you will stay with us and help us develop our region." said during her opening speech Councillor Jindra Zalabáková.
The DofE education programme helps young people to know themselves better, learn new skills and persevere. It gives them the opportunity to join a proven programme founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It involves young people aged between 14 and 24 doing at least 1 hour a week of activities in three areas (movement, skills and volunteering). For each activity, they set a goal that will motivate them and push them further. At the end of the activity, they take part in a team expedition in the countryside. The duration of the programme depends on which level the participants choose. The choices are bronze, silver and gold.
The cooperation between the Ústí nad Labem Region and the DofE has been in place since 2021, when Governor Jan Schiller signed a memorandum of cooperation. Under the programme, organisations established by the Ústí nad Labem Region can receive a financial contribution of up to CZK 15,000.
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