Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 11, 2008

Prince Edward To Honour Young Canadians During June Visit To Manitoba



Prince Edward will honour the achievements of young Canadians as part of a three-day working visit to Manitoba in June, Premier Gary Doer announced today.
 
The visit to Manitoba is being organized by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Prince Edward is the international chair of the award and will present 100 gold awards of achievement to young Canadians at a special ceremony in Winnipeg with many of the recipients coming from rural and northern communities including Lynn Lake, Virden, Selkirk and Gimli.
 
“Manitoba is pleased to be chosen as the location for this visit by His Royal Highness,” Doer said. “As a province with a strong record of volunteerism, we appreciate the contributions of young Canadians and look forward to celebrating them this spring.”
 
Edward’s visit to Manitoba will start June 1 and will include a number of events in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Lower Fort Garry. The third and youngest son of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, the prince became the Earl of Wessex following his 1999 marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones, the Countess of Wessex.
 
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is described as an exciting, personal challenge for young Canadians aged 14 to 25. It is a program of voluntary activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance and service to the community.
 
Since its introduction in 1956, the award has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious youth programs. More than 120 countries now offer the program and nearly six million young people have taken part.
 
In Canada, the program has been operating since 1963 under the leadership of the governor general and thousands of volunteers. The award is one of the highest accolades a young citizen can receive, with approximately 30,000 Canadians, including 1,500 Manitobans, participating each year.
 
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