Imagine England in the early 1950s. It was post-Second World War and young men who had grown up in that era of conflict were lost.

The UK was experiencing an epidemic of Bermuda’s equivalent to our “youth sitting on the wall”. A significant number of young men were unemployed or underemployed; lacking in personal and professional skills; and did not have the vision to see beyond what was right in front of them. Their self-esteem was low and they had been poorly educated. Crime was on the rise and the Government did not have a solution to help this generation or halt the downward spiral that could potentially isolate future generations and lead to increased social challenges that would predictably have a negative affect on the greater community.

In response to the UK’s post-war social challenges with the younger population, Kurt Hahn, a German educationalist, designed the foundation for a revolutionary programme to address the most prevalent social ills and then shared his ideas with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The programme didn’t have a name at the time, but it did have a simply sustainable format that could make an enormous impact on society. Lord John Hunt, the first man to successfully lead an expedition to the top of Mount Everest (1953), joined the conversation and from there, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award was born. The programme, originally offered to boys only, launched in 1956 and was open to females in 1958.

In 1967, the award was introduced to Bermuda by the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees).

Initially, the programme was offered through community partnerships with the Boy Scouts and Church youth groups. The award expanded into Bermuda’s senior schools in the late 1970s, starting with Northlands Secondary. Today, the award is thriving in both public senior schools and most private schools. We are successfully partnered with all five public middles schools in delivering the Bermuda Bridge Award across the island.

This unique programme is exclusive to our island and is hosted by The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Bermuda. It is designed as an introduction to the senior levels of the programme and allows a younger demographic to experience the benefits of participation in the Award. The middle schools programme promotes personal development and social responsibility. It is positioned to serve as a proactive measure in deterring antisocial behaviours.

Throughout all levels of the award, participants engage in activities involving community service; developing personal skills; physical recreation; and adventurous journeys that are completed in Bermuda and overseas.

Award participants are encouraged to think globally and act locally. Our transformational programmes are proven to help young people discover, develop and achieve their greatest potential. The International Award serves teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25, and the Bermuda Bridge Award caters to ages 12 and 13. All of the award programmes in Bermuda are offered free of charge in order to ensure the life-changing opportunities afforded through participation in the award remain available to everyone who wishes to participate, regardless of their socio-economic status. This is not the case throughout the rest of the world where registration and participation fees are standard practice.

There are at present 1.35 million young people in more than 140 countries and territories worldwide undertaking the challenge of completing various levels of the Award.

The Bermuda award has mentored more than 10,000 locals over the past five decades.

Our tiny island at present boasts the highest penetration rate for participation in the international award, with more than 10 per cent of Bermuda’s eligible population between the ages of 14 and 24 being actively engaged in the programme on an annual basis, not including the Bermuda Bridge Award participants.

Last year, 622 young people from diverse backgrounds across the island took up the challenge of participating in the award. Participation is fun, exciting, challenging and rewarding, and contributes to the development of well-rounded global citizens who take pride in themselves and in their communities. The award’s impact measures include increased self-confidence; enhanced communication and problem solving skills; improved academic attainment and employability; improved health and wellbeing; social inclusion and increased participation in civic life; care for the environment; gender equality; reduction and prevention of violence; and reduced reoffending (recidivism) rates, just to name a few.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the award in Bermuda and a number of celebratory events are planned for early March, including a Royal visit from Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. Alumni and friends are encouraged to join in these celebrations, starting with school visits and the DofE World Cup Golf luncheon on Friday, March 3; a night to remember with our 50th anniversary gala showcasing a variety of local talent at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday, March 4; a special celebratory church service at the Anglican Cathedral on Sunday morning, March 5; and a private sailing excursion in partnership with Ben Ainslie Racing on Sunday afternoon, March 5. Additional details will be published in the immediate future.

Get involved and make a difference! Contact the Award Office for additional details on programmes, volunteering, Alumni events and 50th anniversary celebrations.

•Traci Burgess is the national director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Bermuda and can be contacted on 537.4868 or at director@theaward.bm.