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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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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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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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Social Media explained
Twitter: I’m doing my Silver #IntAward #DofE Adventurous Journey this weekend Facebook: I like doing the Award, and these friends like doing it too FourSquare: This is where we are camping Instagram: This is a vintage photograph of my tent YouTube: Here I am in my tent LinkedIn: I…
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Back to the future…
The last time I sat in the Great Hall at Bristol University’s Wills Building, I was sitting my Finals exams for my degree. Last night, I stood where the invigilator had stood – and spoke to a room full of Scout Leaders about the impact of Scouting, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and youth work…
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So, am I grown up yet? Part 2
I went to see the RSC’s production of Matilda this evening at the Cambridge Theatre. I know I’m not the first to say it, but I think the show might just be one of those ‘once in a generation’ theatrical events. Tim Minchin’s score is inspired. And Dennis Kelly’s book perfectly captures Roald Dahl’s curious combination of…
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