Charles Z. Delivered a Speech For The Duke of Edinburgh International Award

Charles Z.

 

On Thursday 29th April, the Duke of Edinburgh International Award held an online event to celebrate the success of the award in Australia and China. Charles Z. from Year 13 was one of four award participants invited to speak at the virtual conference. The event was hosted by John May the Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award with an introduction from Paul Boateng a former MP and UK's first Black Cabinet Minister. Other attendees included Wale Edun, International board member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and its Chairman in Nigeria; Graham Shapiro - CEO and Founder of GSD® (Graham Shapiro Design); Bryony Benstead - Head of World Fellowship and Philanthropy at The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation; Sandi Cesko – Czech politician; Howard Williamson - Professor of European Youth Policy; and Angela Scott – Shoe designer and entrepreneur.

 

Charles gave an incredible presentation about his experiences of the award and answered questions from other people in the call. To speak in front of all these influential and interesting people was a great experience for Charles and he was a great ambassador for Dulwich International High School. The host, John May, even pointed out Charles as being able to express himself clearly and said he would have been “chuffed” if he could have expressed himself so clearly at that age. A huge congratulations and thank you to Charles for being a great ambassador for DHSZ.

How were you (the participant/Award Leader) introduced to the Award?

It is the first award leader I met who introduced the Award. He gave us some ideas on the benefits of doing the Award and integrating the school extra-curricular system into the Award. Also, there is some introduction to the expedition section, which I am also interested in. Therefore I have the plan to do the Award. 

What activities did you do for the different sections of the Award and why?

For the physical recreation section, I have stuck into a sport that I have never imagined before - frisbee! I have seen other people in scenes like parks or on the grass as a leisure activity. However, once into the field, I am obsessed with the rules, the different combination of skills required, and feelings of being collaborative with my teammates to win the game. Although initially, the experience was not so good because of being a freshman. As I have a better understanding of the rules and knowing each other better. I gradually fell in love with the sport and doing it for 3 years throughout the Bronze and Silver award. 

In terms of skills, that is a bit hard choice for me because initially, I am wondering what sort of things I could do. So during the bronze award, I am choosing to do Model United Nations. This club has been teaching on the development of MUN, with some guidelines on debating and reasoning the solution. Of course, there is a practice round for simulating the event.l However, later, I found that attending this sort of event is not a perfect fit because I am not getting used to arguing in an intense environment. Then I switched to an activity that can calm me down - Ikebana, another word is flower arrangement in silver level. After a few sessions, I am gradually into this because although the style is similar to each other, it allows some kind of creativity when doing your own piece of art. In the process of making it, you may see it in the video that previously shown. 

Then the voluntary activities, I have been working actively for school since there is a wide range of opportunities for me to assist or help with different school things. The reason is that voluntary school work would bring the most contribution to the community. It can be easily recognised by members. 

Finally, I had been luckily involved in the last two expedition trips for the expedition, both in Hangzhou. The Bronze level was hiking for 3 days 2 nights. The silver level is cycling + kayaking for 4 days 3 nights in Qingdao Lake. These activities are arranged by the school and have precautionary safety measures. The activity is challenging but fun to take. I have learned many skills like how to glow up the bush fire, how to evenly distribute your physical strength when you need to kayak/ride for a long time until you have your meal? etc. By doing those activities, I have gained vast experience on a lot of skills needed to survive or camp next time; these cannot be learned effectively during class.

What did you gain from doing the Award? Eg New friends, a challenge, employability?

From doing the Award, I have obviously get in touch with the challenging things I may not even know if I am not doing the Award. It also created a lot of "first time" for me, as first get in touch with frisbee, first time get out in the wild and live in the tent on a rainy day, with of course the shoes get wet. From this experience, I can deepen the relationship with people I know or make new friends. When I am at a MUN conference, I can make friends with other delegates. I still remember when we are all in one room and headache about the joint resolution paper. After the country's past, we then celebrate since it was challenging work with socialising events in the end. I am also having all of their WeChat accounts, and occasionally we would have to communicate with each other. Overall, I have gained a comprehensive experience with each other. 

What Award moment made the biggest impact on your life?

I would say the moment when we successfully reached the destination of our sliver trip. It was tricky enough to ride up until the mountain's peak, and the parking space is there. The scenic view is breathtaking, and meanwhile, the air is fresh with the breeze. That whole sensory experience really shocked me. I realised being outdoor can be really healthy and beneficial for my own mental wellbeing. Until now, I consider that is the most significant impact on my life. 

Do you feel that the Award helped you be ready for the world and the challenges it comes with? If so, how?  

In general, the Award helped me have the skills packed to be ready for the world and challenges. Like communication skills, being independent and making a lot of friends! These skills cannot be learned via textbook with a variety of subjects.

Why do you think non-formal education is important?

Non-formal education is a broad topic that is also crucial to people in the future. It provides things that are beyond the textbook and more applicable in real life. Although we need to realise that the hardcore of the content needs to be achieved with formal education, nonformal education is relatively more critical. When people meet with each other, non-formal education will become the first impression.