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Transforming the Award
This week, I made my inaugural address to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Forum, our world conference, which is held every three years. What follows are my speaking notes – and some of the slides that I used as illustrations. We are the world’s leading youth achievement award, bringing together practical experiences…
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Lessons from an expert organiser
Major Sir Michael Parker, the man for so many years behind such enormous events as the Royal Tournament and other wonderful events that I remember from childhood, has just written his autobiography. In it he suggests eight essential rules for life: ‘One: have a very big idea — then double it. ‘Two: if it’s…
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So, who is John May?
Every so often, usually when I’m visiting the USA, people do a double-take when they find out my name. “John May,” they question, “aren’t you a character in ‘V’?” http://v.wikia.com/wiki/John_May I normally smile, nod and admit to being an urban legend. Earlier this year, in the middle of a large reception held in…
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Oh Canada…
Robertson Davies, one of Canada’s best known novelists, once commented about his homeland: “Some countries you love. Some countries you hate. Canada is a country you worry about.” Well, judging by the weekend I have just enjoyed, he needn’t worry now. From Thursday to Sunday, over 150 young people, aged between 14 and 25, gathered…
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Critical decisions for the English middle class male (and possibly anyone else)…
I am turning into a stereotype. Despite protestations of individuality, supported by being half-Australian with a proud Jewish heritage, I know that I am viewed by several non-British friends as being quintessentially English, middle class and highly conventional. They’re right. I’m becoming my Dad. And my Mum too – who, despite being completely Australian, is…
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Life is like Coffee Movie
Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything…they just make the best of everything! via Life is like Coffee Movie.
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The voice of young people
At yesterday’s UK Scout Annual General Meeting, Fi Durrant, a young(ish!) Leader, presented a reflection before the main business of the meeting. It was brilliant. And it’s worth reading… http://fidurrant.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-scout-association-reflection-for-agm.html
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Fuelling children’s imagination
I was listening to the always wonderful Simon Mayo’s BBC Radio 2 podcast this morning on my way to work. He was talking to the poet Roger McGough. Roger was bemoaning the closure of libraries around the country, particularly those in schools. Computers may give children instant access to information, he argued, but they don’t…
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A suggested Olympic legacy
Mass desertion of the Daily Mail, an end to reality TV, UK’s patriotic acknowledgement of its own multiculturalism, continued smiling at strangers on the tube, a massive increase in community volunteering – and Wenlock to run for Parliament.
