Award Partnership to Benefit Youth with Disabilities

7 August 2018

Award Partnership to Benefit Youth with Intellectual Disabilities

Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (the Award) National Director, Karen Ross, and Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive, Carolyn Young, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to partner together.

Both organisations are committed to working in partnership to help Award participants gain their Award.

“The Award is open to anyone between the ages of 14 – 24. Young people design their own Award programmes, set their own goals and record their own progress. The only person they compete against is themselves by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve”.

“It is a privilege to work with Special Olympics New Zealand and assist their members to gain benefit through the Award. The development of character and skills such as confidence, communication, problem solving and resilience is crucial for young people from all walks of life” concluded Karen Ross.

“At Special Olympics we provide opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, build new friendships and skills” says Special Olympics Chief Executive, Carolyn Young.

“Aligning with Duke of Edinburgh will enable our athletes to start a journey that will provide personal development to set them up for their future and whatever that may hold. Both organisations strive to have a positive impact on the lives of people we engage with, we’re excited about the partnership and can’t wait to get started!”

The MOU signals a commitment from both organisations to work closely together and to actively search out opportunities which will provide youth with the skills, knowledge and experience to thrive in our everchanging world.

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