Contribution of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to young people in North Down and the UK

That this House recognises and celebrates the invaluable contribution of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) to the development of young people across the United Kingdom since its establishment in 1956; notes that millions of young people have undertaken the DofE challenge, gaining confidence, resilience, leadership skills and a lifelong commitment to service; further notes the outstanding participation of young people from North Down who have embraced the Award through schools, youth organisations and community groups; acknowledges the positive impact of DofE activities including volunteering, physical challenges, skills development and expeditions in helping young people reach their full potential; further recognises the challenges facing today’s generation, including mental health pressures, rapid technological change and economic uncertainty; commends the determination, creativity and resilience consistently demonstrated by young people when given the opportunity and support to succeed; believes that programmes such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award play a vital role in building character, encouraging community engagement and preparing young people for the future; and calls on the Government, educational institutions and community organisations to continue supporting and promoting opportunities that enable young people to thrive and make a positive contribution to society.