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King Charles III

The Prince of Wales & Prince’s Charities Canada announce new royal awards celebrating youth

The Prince of Wales, Prince’s Charities Canada, together with WE Day – “a movement of young people leading local and global change”- made the announcement of a new annual awards program to honour Canadian youth who take exceptional actions both in Canada and globally.

Named The Prince’s Youth Service Award, it will be sponsored by RBC and consists of four categories; Local Community Development, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, and Global Action. The recipients of the awards will be presented on stage at WE Day Toronto 2016 in front of thousands to celebrate all their achievements and aim to inspire others to step-up and take action in the causes most important to them.

Prince Charles spoke in a video message saying “The Prince’s Youth Service Awards will recognize the most outstanding young Canadian volunteers for their leadership and their service. By celebrating young leaders, we hope to encourage others. Your feats will motivate other young people, your actions will lead to a better world.” The prince’s full message is in the video below.

The awards will be given to those who stand out through social action and community service. Open to young Canadians, applications can be sent in beginning October 1, 2015. Family, friends and educators are encouraged to nominate the youth in their communities who are making a change in the world around them. More information and award applications are available at weday.com/theprincesyouthserviceawards.

“We are both thrilled and humbled by this amazing partnership with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Prince’s Charities Canada,” co-founder of WE Day, Craig Kielburger said, adding “youth in Canada care about making a difference, and we get to see that passion every day. Young people involved with WE Day believe it’s cool to care, volunteering over 4 million hours each year for local and global causes. This awards program will give youth the tools to take their passion for change to the next level and inspire others to take action on the issues they care about.”

Group Head of RBC Personal & Commerical Banking, Jennifer Tory said “Supporting youth as they create a meaningful difference in people’s lives can have a powerful and lasting effect…Young change-makers inspire us all and that’s why RBC is proud to support The Prince’s Youth Service Awards, to help recognize the achievements of young leaders across Canada and help them take their ideas for change to the next level.”

The award winners will be chosen in spring 2016 by a panel of Canadian judges including Amanda Sherrington, President and CEO of Prince’s Charities Canada; Spencer West, ME to WE Motivational Speaker and Free the Children ambassador; Matthew Corrin, Founder and CEO of Freshii; Barry Avrich, Partner, BT/A Advertising; Joe Mimran, Founder, Joe Fresh and Dragons’ Den; and Mike “Pinball” Clemons, CFL Hall of Famer, Vice-Chair of the Toronto Argonauts.

“I have had the opportunity to travel across Canada and meet amazing young people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in their schools, community and the world for the better,” ME to WE motivational speaker, author and Free The Children Ambassador Spencer West said and commented “This awards program will support young Canadians as they work towards their goals, and redefine what is possible not only for them as individuals but for an entire generation.”

Each winner will receive a hand-carved award statue, an invitation to take part in a leadership development programmme and a bursary to assist in bringing their ideas to life.

Video Credit: WE Day

Feature Photo Credit: Wikimedia