President Danny Faure hosted the Gold Award Ceremony for the 10th cohort of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards at State House yesterday afternoon.

During the ceremony, twenty-two young men and women who have courageously navigated through the Award Programme and successfully attained their Gold Standard and were rewarded.

Since the re-introduction of the programme in Seychelles in the year 2000, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement Award, bringing together practical life skills and experiences to equip young people to face some of the challenges in life.

Addressing the youths and guests present, the Principal Secretary for Youth, Mr Fabian Palmyre stressed on the importance and benefits of the programme. He urged them not stop at the Gold Standard Award but join other groupings where they can further share their knowledge and skills aquired for the greater good.

President Faure had the honour of presenting the 22 award recipients with their certificates and pins.

The ceremony was also attended by Vice-President, Mr Vincent Meriton, the Commisioner of Police, Kishnan Labonte, the Chief of Defence Forces, Col. Clifford Roseline, the Minisiter for Education and Human Resources Development, Mrs Jeanne Simeon, the British High Commissioner for UK in Seychelles, Caron Röhsler,  the CEO of SNYC Ms Penny Belmont, parents, programme leaders, awardees and other distinguished guests.