The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognizes and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential program in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen. With this support, award winners will be expected to continue and develop the amazing work they are already doing in their communities.
Last year a search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond. Amongst these young leaders was Kellyn George (Dominica), Donnya Pigott (Barbados), Javon Liburd (St.Kitts & Nevis) and Kenville Horne (St.Vincent & the Grenadines).
Kellyn was born with sickle-cell anemia and has had many complications with her health. This prompted her to establish The Sickle Cell Cares Foundation in Dominica. The organization raises awareness of the disease and aims to help those who are affected to manage their healthcare as well as possible.
Donnya had to overcome prejudice and personal challenges when she decided to set up an advocacy group for sexual minorities. Barbados – Gays and Lesbians and All-sexuals Against Discrimination (B-Glad) is a lone lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights organization on the island.
Despite facing financial hardship, Javon’s single mother instilled in him the value of education. This inspired Javon to set up J3H, a project that helps young people in his community in St Kitts. J3H has raised funds to give prizes to outstanding students from village schools.
And Kenville is a young father who turned his back on a life of gangs. After completing his education, he started a sports programme for disadvantaged children in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He helps them to reach their potential and raises awareness of the danger of drugs.
These are the criterias to win an award:
* Nominees will have proven experience of working to improve their communities locally, regionally or at a national level and will show evidence of their achievements
* Nominees will be aged between 18 and 29 for the year of the Award and be citizens of a Commonwealth country
* Nominees will demonstrate evidence of their leadership qualities
* Priority will be given to individuals who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals
* All nominees will need to be supported by a suitable referee.
The Queen hosted a star-studded reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the first ever winners of her Young Leaders program on Monday. Applications for the 2016 Queen’s Young Leaders began on June 22nd. Interested applicants can go to the site to apply. https://www.queensyoungleaders.com/
Here is a video of some of the awardees receiving their award from the Queen;
[embedplusvideo height=”390″ width=”640″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/1IlNhiz” standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/m1I5BaJ52rk?fs=1&vq=hd720″ vars=”ytid=m1I5BaJ52rk&width=640&height=390&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=1&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=¬es=” id=”ep9582″ /]
