Queen's Young Leaders Programme Launched
HRH The Duke of Cambridge and HRH Prince Henry of Wales launch search for The Queen’s Young Leaders
#TheSearchIsOn
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales are today launching the search for exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth to receive an award from Her Majesty The Queen for their achievements in transforming their own lives and the lives of others.
On behalf of The Queen, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will host a unique reception at Buckingham Palace where they will start the search from a state of the art social media hub, backed by Google and Twitter - the first ever to be installed at The Palace.
The search for award winners aged 18 - 29 from all 53 countries of the Commonwealth who are to be celebrated, rewarded and supported for their achievements, is part of The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, a unique new initiative that aims to enable young people to step up as leaders and improve the lives of people across the Commonwealth.
The life changing Programme has been established by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (the Trust) and will run in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society in honour of The Queen’s 60-year contribution to the Commonwealth.
Speaking on behalf of the partnership, Chairman of the Trust and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir John Major said:
“We wish to identify and nurture the talent of the younger generation across the Commonwealth. We’re inspired by the belief that one talented individual can be a positive force for good within their communities. This programme will celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary individuals and help develop their skills, thus creating a lasting legacy – benefiting the whole of the Commonwealth – to honour the long and successful reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II.”
From Google Hangouts to Twitter mirrors the Duke and Prince will use social media to help spread the message that #TheSearchIsOn, calling on young people from across the Commonwealth to apply or be nominated for the opportunity to become a Queen’s Young Leader. In recognition of their achievements they will receive an award from The Queen and a year of mentoring and training so that they are able to reach their full potential and go on to inspire other young people to help shape the future of the Commonwealth.
Young people who have already achieved something extraordinary for themselves and others are also taking part in the event, including Fahma Mohamed, a 17-year-old who is campaigning against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK and across the world.
Fahma Mohamed said;
“Young people are the parents, the leaders and the adults of the future. We have energy, creativity and new ideas and we are the ones who can ultimately change our society and make our world a better place to live. This is why I am proud to support The Queen’s Young Leader’s Programme as it is recognising how much young people do and can achieve and supporting us to do ever more, even better.”
Inspiring young people from every Commonwealth country have been invited to attend the launch, to represent the talent and diversity of the Commonwealth and its young people.
To achieve its aim of discovering, celebrating and supporting inspirational young people to lead the way across the Commonwealth the Programme will comprise two elements:
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Awards to recognise the achievements of 240 inspirational young people and provide support enabling them to take up leadership roles and inspire future leaders
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Grants to support organisations in selected countries across the Commonwealth that work with young people to transform their lives.
Young people from all across the Commonwealth can apply or be nominated to become a Queen’s Young Leader from today, 9 July 2014.
Visit www.queensyoungleaders.com for more information. #TheSearchIsOn.