About the Host - HKAYP

The International Award for Young People was founded in 1956 (the then Duke of Edinburgh’s Award) by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT (HRH Prince Philip). It aims at encouraging and motivating young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. The Award programme encourages personal discovery, self-reliance, perseverance, self-discipline, responsibility and leadership.

The Award itself is a worldwide establishment. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have had taken part in this meaningful programme. Participating nations over the world are categorized into 4 Regions according to their geographical location, namely Asia Pacific Region, Americas Region, African Region and Europe & Arab States Region. Hong Kong is under the Asia Pacific Region and was established the Award programme in 1961. Within the same Region, there are Australia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

The International Award is the generic title, but each member country can adopt its own title. For example, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the United Kingdom, the President’s Award in Kenya, The Source of the Nile Award in Uganda, The Israel Youth Award in Israel, the National Youth Achievement Award in Singapore, The DOE Young Canadians’ Challenge in Canada, The Hong Kong Award for Young People (HKAYP) in Hong Kong, etc. Despite the difference in titles, the spirit and conditions of the Programme as well as the standard of Award management are strictly adhered to.





Hong Kong, though small in geographical size, is renowned for having Mr. Ronald Arculli, CVO, GBS, OBE, JP, past Chairman of Hong Kong Award, succeeded The Duke of Edinburgh (Founder) as the Chairman of the International Award Association in 2000. At present, the United Kingdom ranks the first in the number of participants (over 200,000) while Hong Kong ranks the third (approximate 50,000).

The Award has been gaining wide reception and ardent support from governing bodies within our member countries. In most of the cities, the Gold Awards are presented by the head of government/state. In Hong Kong, before the re-unification with the Mainland China, was honoured to have the Governors to present the Gold Awards. Since 1997, we also have the Chief Executive of HKSAR to officiate at our Gold Award Presentations. The governing body of the Hong Kong Award for Young People is the Award Council, with all its members appointed by the Chief Executive. Our present Chairman is Mr. Paul Fan, JP.

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