Message from our ED

The Head of State Award Scheme is committed to helping develop a holistic education for young people, and working with young people to help them reach their potential.

Young people play a crucial role in advancing development, democracy, and peace and in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Around the world, people are understanding that a formal education and qualification for young people are vital, but if young people are to become active citizens, then they need skills, behaviors, competencies, attitudes, and values that are not just learned in the classroom.

What goes on in the classroom is only half the story. For young people to really be ready for the world, they need positive experiences and exposure outside the classroom to understand the importance of service to their fellow human beings, develop skills, and learn about leadership. The Head of State Award Scheme is committed to helping develop a holistic education for young people, and working with young people to help them reach their potential.

In this rapidly-changing environment, how do young people prepare themselves for their future? For their world? If they are to succeed, they need the skills, resilience, and understanding to help them take on whatever life may throw their way. To help address this, exposing young people to non-formal education and learning outside the classroom under the guidance of adult leaders acts as a vehicle to accelerate the leadership, life, and work skills development of young people.

The Head of State Award Scheme provides a non-formal educational framework and learning structure for the development of young people between the age of 14 – 24 years outside the classroom. It equips young people with employability skills for life and work, in an enabling environment through non-formal education and learning to develop their full potential, realize their dreams, and contribute to the success of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

It challenges them to find their purpose, passion, and place, moving them beyond their comfort zones to gain a sense of real achievement and self-confidence. It also recognizes and celebrates the achievements of young people outside academia.

But we cannot do this without your help. That’s why we seek to collaborate with all well-meaning stakeholders who truly believe in the infinite potential of young people.