Earl of Wessex meets Duke of Edinburgh’s Award/Joint Award Initiative Assessors and Leaders
Earlier this evening, HRH The Earl of Wessex was the guest of honour at a special event in Belfast Education and Library Board’s (BELB) Headquarters.
On arrival he was met Dr Clare Mangan, Chief Executive, BELB, Rosemary Rainey, BELB Board Member and Claire McCollum, freelance Presenter.
In Northern Ireland The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has a special arrangement with Gaisce – The President’s Award under a Joint Award Initiative which enables any young person who completes the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme to have a choice of certification – a Gaisce – The President’s Award, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award or a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificate.
The Royal visitor had the opportunity to meet BELB Officers and Youth Service staff involved in the delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Joint Award Initiative programmes. HRH also took the opportunity to view a mosaic designed by participants from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Joint Award Initiative from the Wandsworth Community Association.
In the main boardroom HRH listened to citations for three of the BELB Leader Recognition Competition Winners – Sister Anne McCourt, Caroline Harte and Maurice Millar.
Before departure, the Royal visitor made a number of presentations to long serving DofE/JAI Assessors and Leaders.
HRH then made his way to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ Offices for his final engagement of the day - a reception to celebrate Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Joint Award Initiative Leaders. He also had the opportunity to meet and present Bronze awards to a small number of recipients who had completed the programme under the Joint Award Initiative with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.