A high-level meeting was held at State House, Lusaka, bringing together representatives of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia, Sport in Action, and the Wallace Group of UK universities with senior officials representing His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema. The President, who is the Chief Patron of the Award in Zambia, was represented by Mr. Jito Kayumba, Advisor to the President and Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Arts and Sports.
During the discussions, Mr. Kayumba conveyed the President’s continued support for initiatives that equip young Zambians with the skills, confidence and resilience needed to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to their communities. He highlighted that young people who attain the Gold Award, the highest distinction within the Award framework, will be celebrated at a special ceremony held at State House. This recognition underscores the government’s commitment to honouring the dedication and achievements of Zambia’s youth, elevating the prestige of the Award and inspiring a new generation of empowered, skilled and resilient young leaders.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia is collaborating with the Ministry of Youth, Arts and Sports as a step forward in joining forces to empower young people nationwide. Through this partnership, youth resource centres across the country are being strengthened as centres of excellence, providing a variety of developmental programmes that nurture skills, leadership and resilience. Reflecting on this collaboration, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, noted that the President’s endorsement demonstrates the government’s commitment to youth development and emphasised that initiatives like this place youth leadership at the centre of the national development agenda.
The presence of Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, served as a clear demonstration of the Foundation’s full support for the growth of the Award in Zambia. He highlighted Zambia as a beacon of youth potential and innovation, noting that young Zambians, from sports fields to community service projects, are demonstrating resilience, compassion and a readiness to engage with the world.
Twaambo Chikoye, highlighted that the meeting underscored what can be achieved when leadership at the highest level champions youth development. He emphasised that, with the President’s support as Chief Patron and backing from the Ministry of Youth, Arts and Sports, more Zambian youth would gain access to life-changing opportunities that build resilience, essential skills, and global competitiveness. He noted that the day’s show of commitment sends a clear message that Zambia is serious about equipping its young people for success in the 21st century.
The collaboration between DofE Zambia and Sport in Action, backed by the Wallace Group and supported by the British High Commission, has demonstrated remarkable impact and its transformational power can already be witnessed in helping young people pursue their purpose, passion and place in the world. Frankson Mushindu, Executive Director for Sport in Action, highlighted that integrating the Award into community sport hubs creates more than athletic talent. It nurtures confident, capable young leaders empowered to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. Similarly, Ben O’Connell, Director of Sport at Cardiff Metropolitan University and Chair of the Wallace Group Board of Directors, emphasised that this partnership exemplifies using sport as a catalyst for development, helping young people unlock their potential. By integrating the Award into their programmes, Sport in Action and Wallace Group help cultivate well-rounded young people, providing opportunities beyond sports.
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to shaping a future where young Zambians are equipped to lead, innovate and make a meaningful difference in their communities. By endorsing the partnership between the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia and Sport in Action, His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema is helping ensure that Zambia’s youth develop essential skills increasingly emphasised by the International Labour Organization, World Economic Forum and World Bank. Through strategic partnerships with government, civil society, and international organizations, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia is not only recognising excellence but also creating lasting opportunities for young people to grow, make a positive impact locally and nationally, and thrive in an increasingly dynamic and complex world.