The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award THE INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE …now at ACU Community Engagement at ACU

When the mind is stretched by new experiences It can never return to its former dimensions Dr Kurt Hahn, German Educationalist (one of the founders of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award)

The Award is relevant to you because: looks great on your CV gives you and demonstrates a diverse base of experience you can tailor your Award according to your future aspirations it showcases your talents and skills it is recognition for your initiative and participation it is internationally recognised - run in schools and community organisations in Victoria, Australia and in over 120 countries worldwide it is now offered at your University

The Award is a leadership program in which you… 1. Choose your own activities in 5 Sections –these can be activities that you’re already doing –your course Community Engagement component can be one of these 2. Choose someone to mentor you in each activity - can be your lecturer, coach, a friend who is more skilled or experienced than you in that activity 3. Set yourself a realistic but challenging goal in each activity 4. Undertake the activities for the minimum time required 5. Endeavour to achieve your personal best in all of these

6. On completion of each activity, note down your hours in your Record book and get your mentor to write a short Assessor’s report 7. Once you’ve completed all five Sections, hand in your Record book to your Award Coordinator to be sent to the Award Office for approval 8. Turn up to be applauded and adored at the Award Ceremony Towards the end…

You are not comparing yourself with anyone; you are not competing with anyone; what you are actually doing is creating yourself. Brendan Kelly, Irish poet

The Award is… non-competitive it is about achieving personal excellence not meeting any set benchmarks flexible you have until your 25 th birthday to complete your Award so you decide: what activities you want to do and when how many Sections you want to undertake at any one time how you want to approach the program available to all any student aged under 25 years is eligible to register for The Award this includes international, study abroad and exchange students

Use The Award to demonstrate… your personal qualities and your professional skills Community engagement Experience Communication Critical thinking Negotiation skills your CV more likely to survive an employer’s first cut

Overall Structure

Note: All Sections must be completed by your 25th birthday. If all Sections are undertaken concurrently, minimum time to complete this level is 18 months (if you have not completed Silver) or 12 months if you are a Silver Award holder Gold Award requirements

Service ● Volunteer technical or specialised skills eg tutoring at Atherton Gardens ● Coach or Referee ● Volunteer at your University ● Club/Society Committee membership ● Tutor migrants/ refugees For example you could:

Skill A passive recreation to gain or increase knowledge ● Add value to professional capacity with enhanced proficiency in: - Presentations & public speaking - Computer & web use & design - Office & business skills - Management skills ● Learn a second language ● Learn team-building activities ● Film Production For example you could:

Physical Recreation Focus on your physical wellbeing: Choose activities that cause: increased heart rate, flexibility, muscle tone, sweat etc

Regular Participation Participation in each of Service, Skill and Physical Recreation must be regular: about 1 hour per week what does “about 1 hr a week” mean? 2 x 30mins/ week - 1 hr/ week - 2 hrs / fortnight not more irregular than fortnightly

Adventurous Journey AJ requires you to: Work in a team Plan an expedition or exploration Prepare & train for it Undertake : at least 1 Practice Journey of 4 days 3 nights + Qualifying Journey of 4 days 3 nights

Residential Project 5 days 4 nights ● attend professional conferences/ seminars ● assist at school camp ● undertake International/ interstate internship/ Work placement ● Youth Parliament ● undertake a residential Leadership training course ● attend Inter-faith/ Inter-cultural conference For example you could:

Section Activity Ideas

Where to now? The Award is now offered at Australian Catholic University St Patrick’s Campus Community Engagement