The Romanian city of Cluj Napoca has been chosen to host The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Global Forum (Forum) in 2021. The event is planned to take place from 4th – 9th of October 2021 and will, for the first time in its history will incorporate an interactive virtual experience.
The Forum, which takes place every three years, will bring together the world’s leading Youth and Education stakeholders. Global directors of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme, trustees, the global management of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, with the special presence of the members of the Romanian and British Royal Families.
Founded by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award) is a global framework for non-formal education and learning, challenging young people to be world ready, to discover their potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world. By developing transferable skills, increasing their fitness levels, cultivating a sense of adventure and volunteering in their community. The Award programme operates in more than 130 countries and territories across the globe.
Today in Romania, the Award can be found across the country, engaging over 10,000 young people and 1,000 teachers and youth workers. The programme is run in cities, rural and remote areas, through government and independent schools, universities and colleges, and a wide range of organizations, sports clubs, employers, youth detention centres and community youth organizations.
Shajjad Rizvi MBE Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Romania said: “2021 marks the 100th birthday of HRH The Prince Philip and we are honored to host the world’s leaders of the Award programme to help plan its future and growth. In 2018, Cluj was selected to host this global event – the first time Forum has been held by a country outside of the Commonwealth and the first time to be hosted by a former Warsaw Pact country. It speaks volumes about Romania and also Cluj Napoca, as a city that can host world class events. We hope and pray that Covid-19 will not be around next year, but we are a year out and so we are planning for every eventuality. We want to ensure that this Global Forum is not just the best ever, but the most accessible too so that our guests receive the same warm welcome from Romania wherever they are in the world”.
Previous hosts of the Global Forum have been Ghana, Canada, Australia, Malta, South Africa, UK.
You can find more about The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Romania by contacting us at:
Shajjad Hadier Rizvi MBE, Chairman, shajjad.rizvi@dofe.ro / +40 744 873 340
Carmen Dragomir, Director, carmen.dragomir@dofe.ro / +40 771 040 602