President Michel addressing the gathering on Saturday

President James Michel said this on Saturday during a ceremony held at State House where 48 young people got their Gold Award certificates and pins.

Among those present were Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, top civil servants, British High Commissioner Matthew Forbes, International Award Association’s regional director for Africa and the Indian Ocean Edwin Kimani and the awardees’ parents.

Mr Michel said it is 10 years since the programme was accepted as part of the International Award Association and over that time has had the positive effect of moulding our young people.

He noted the programme offers a wide range of well-established activities that ensure those who take part get the chance to develop their potential.

Presentation of tokens of appreciation to President Michel, Vice-President Faure and Minister Adam

He said the programme helps equip people aged 14 to 25 worldwide with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world.

“Over 7 million young people worldwide have taken up the award challenge. It is a journey of personal discovery and adventure for young people. It challenges the youth to become responsible, caring members of the community. It opens up new horizons and encourages friendship and links. It builds their confidence and makes a positive impact on their community through volunteering,” Mr Michel said.

He said the programme can contribute to a country's national plan for young people, as expressed in national youth policies or other social policies, by providing a dynamic youth development framework for tackling such issues.

“The programme can also equip young people – in the case of Seychelles – by creating awareness on the importance of mitigating climate change and in exploring what youth can do to tackle it.”

He said one of the key achievements of the Seychelles President’s Award Scheme is that the International Awards Programme has approved for us to hold our Gold Award Expedition here in Seychelles.

“For the first time, this expedition has been held on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. It has thus allowed our participants not only to acquire the required skills, but also to better appreciate the environment and the biodiversity of our country,” said Mr Michel.

He noted August 12 marked the start of the International Year of Youth, launched to recognise and celebrate young people's contribution to the world, and added “it is the opportunity for the President’s Award Programme to encourage young people’s energy, imagination and initiatives, and enhance their contribution to world peace and development”.

Mr Michel sent his sympathies to the family of one of the award recipients who lost a parent on Friday.
The 48 were the fifth cohort to get the Gold awards.

Those who have taken part in the programme before have formed the Gold Award Holders’ Association headed by Nigel Simeon who gave the association’s patron, Minister Jean-Paul Adam, a gift to thank him for supporting the programme.

They also thanked Mr Faure for his support.
Mr Kimani gave Mr Michel a tie as a token of appreciation for the President’s support for the programme.