300 bronze and silver level graduates of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE) programme from the Moravian-Silesian Region were invited to the Great Hall of the Faculty of Business at Silesian University.
In the Czech Republic, the programme has been inspiring young people between the ages of 14 and 24 since 1995, with 5,300 new students joining in 2023. In the Moravian-Silesian Region this year, nearly 800 students in 47 schools and other organisations are taking part in the programme. Each participant chooses a skill, sporting activity and volunteer help according to their interest, and then pursues these for a period of time that is linked to completing the bronze, silver and gold levels. A team expedition is also an integral part of the programme.
The programme has also been supported by the Moravian-Silesian Region for a long time. "This year, we are presenting awards to the largest number of young people in the history of the programme in the Czech Republic. I am happy that more students, teachers and schools join us every year than in the previous year, which shows how the young generation thinks about their activities or volunteering. We are also sincerely pleased with the support of the Moravian-Silesian Region for the participating organisations and its significant participation in the organisation of both ceremonies, " says Tomáš Vokáč, Executive Director of the Czech branch of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
The student Eliška Veselá from the Gymnasium in Třinec arrived at the event in a hand-made dress: "As well as sewing and crocheting, I did Pilates as part of the DofE programme and volunteered at a nursery. We did the expedition on bicycles in the vicinity of Zlín." Adam Richter, a bronze level graduate from the Secondary Industrial School of Construction in Opava, adds what the programme has brought him: "The DofE has opened doors to activities I would normally avoid. And it has taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone is often refreshing and easier than it seems."
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme was founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956 to encourage the self-development of boys and girls regardless of their background, physical ability or skill. In 1988 an international association was established to promote the operation outside the UK.
