Hong Kong Youth in search of Gold in Sinharaja

Pix by:-Sanjeewa Samararathna  

 There is no doubt that the most powerful force and the strength in any country is its youth. It is essential to empower the young people with a correct vision through personality development to make them partners of social development. In order to do so it is necessary to evaluate their strengths and encourage them accordingly.   

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Youth Award Programme founded and launched in 1956 on a concept of the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1980. Thirty young people received Bronze Awards at The First Award Ceremony held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip in Colombo on the 22nd 
October 1981.   

This international youth award is conducted in four sections namely volunteer service, skills development, sports & recreation and adventurous journeys to facilitate the young people to spend their leisure time in a useful manner and help produce useful citizens who will contribute to the betterment of the entire society and the country of birth.   

National Youth Award Division of the National Youth Services Council conducted a very successful youth exchange programme with the Award for Young People of Hong Kong from 18th to 23rd April 2019 at the Sinharaja forest aimed at promoting international understanding and friendship between the young people of the two countries. The Hong Kong youth team consisting fourteen award participants accompanied by two award leaders who came here for their Gold Award residential project was joined by four award participants and three leaders from Sri Lanka. This youth exchange programme in the Asia - Pacific Region was launched for the first time in 2017 on a proposal made by Sri Lanka to the Regional Council in 2016 at the Asia Pacific Regional Council held in Hong Kong with a tour by a Sri Lankan team to Nepal followed up with another tour to India in 2018.   

The National Youth Award Division has provided an opportunity for young  people between the ages of 13 to 24 to join this prestigious  international award and for further information please call 0112 896563  or email awardlanka@gmail.com 

During four days of stay at the World heritage Sinharaja forest reserve the group studied the plants, wildlife and bio diversity and also visited the remote village ‘Lankagama’ to study the life style of the people living in this underprivileged and one of the most difficult villages in the country.   

This project was undertaken by the Award Division under the guidance and leadership of Mr. W.G.S. Eranda (Attorney-At-Law), Chairman / Director General of the National Youth Services Council ably handled by Mr. Tissa Samarasinghe, National Director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme, Sri Lanka.   

 A Sri Lankan youth team is expected to visit Hong Kong in August this year as the second stage of this youth exchange programme between the two countries   
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Youth Award Programme launched with the aim of producing valuable and useful citizens is an invitation to upcoming young people with altruistic feelings to contribute towards the same.   

This award programme has become a great example to young people for spending the time happy and contented while promoting their personality. They can achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards through the programme. Complementary marks will be offered for the admission to National and International Universities and the Colleges of education for the award holders.   

The National Youth Award Division has provided an opportunity for young people between the ages of 13 to 24 to join this prestigious international award and for further information please call 0112 896563 or email awardlanka@gmail.com.