What happens when you give 1.2 million young people the power to lead their own development? In this pilot episode recorded in Lagos, we unlock the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Recorded in Lagos during the International Gold Event and Forum, the pilot episode goes beyond the 'hiking' stereotype, exploring how the Award's framework fosters essential, transferable life skills — from machine learning in Nigeria to marine conservation in Bermuda. Discover how non-formal education is shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Guests:

• Brianna Simmons, International Youth Representative (2022–2025 cohort) from Bermuda.
  Graduated from Roger Williams University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Biology and Sustainability, Brianna now works as Marine Mammal Specialist at Dolphin Quest Bermuda.
  Brianna grew up around water and loved everything about the ocean and its 
  creatures, and for her Silver level of the Award, she sailed on a tall ship to conduct research on microplastics found in the ocean.
• Emerald Akhaumere, International Youth Representative (2025–2028 cohort) from Nigeria.
  Emerald is a trailblazing Nigerian Machine Learning Engineer, educator, and proud holder of both the Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards.
  Raised in a community where girls were often discouraged from entering tech, she is now the founder of AfroTechXcel—an initiative that has already empowered over 650 young women across Africa with AI and digital skills
• Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and a proud holder of Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

Hosted by: Oksana Dobrovolska, Communications Officer at the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation

Together, we reflect on their Award journeys and how following personal passions, such as aviation, tech, marine life protection, and music, shaped their experiences within the framework, increased confidence, improved wellbeing, helped find career paths, and strengthened connections with their communities. We discuss the International Youth Representative roles: how they were established and why they are essential for shaping the Award’s future. We also explore the relevance of the Award in a rapidly changing digital world.

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