英國愛德華王子聯同愛丁堡公爵國際獎基金會全球秘書長梅約翰發表公開信為大家在疫情中打氣

公開信全文：

親愛的朋友們，

今天，我們共同面對充滿挑戰和不確定的時代！

越來越多的人受到新冠病毒傳播的影響，我們各自的管理機構和年輕的獎項參與者也不能避免，盡管我們的故事并不全是暗淡。我們必須做出積極反應，以符合我們理念的方式生活：增強能力、追求進步、提升多樣化和相互聯系。正是在這樣的時刻，建立韌性、加強溝通、鼓勵適應性、解決問題和提升韌性更加重要。作為愛丁堡公爵國際獎全球社區，我們將比以往任何時候都更加努力地做到這一點。

這次疫情重新書寫了我們的互動方式和日常生活方式。對許多人來說，這是一個非常大的挑戰，年輕人當然不能不受此影響。雖然我們認識到越來越多的人將不能上學、不能參加青年組織、不能參加青年俱樂部或體育俱樂部，但我們堅信，獎項能夠而且應該在目前青年人的生活中發揮重要作用。

我們認識到，大家都面臨著三個相互關聯的挑戰和機遇。首先，我們必須照顧那些為我們以及和我們一起工作的人。第二，要千方百計讓青年人繼續參加獎項活動，讓他們的努力得到認可。第三，如果這樣做是安全的，并且在國家和地方公共衛生指導的范圍內，我們必須支持年輕人做更多的事情。這最后一點聽起來可能有悖常理，但我們認為，青年人通過其成年導師的適當指導，可以將他們的志愿工作轉變為提供至關重要的支持，使他們自己的社區在這一前所未有的時代更加具有適應力。我們已經聽到獎項參與者和他們的成年支持者展示了這種精神：從確保那些被孤立的人能接到電話和聊天；到找到創造性的方式分發食物、肥皂和洗手液等必需品。獎項全球大家庭已經在努力以負責任的方式支持當地社區。

不可避免地，基金會的工作人員受到影響，疫情嚴重限制了我們四處走動和提供面對面的培訓、支持或建議的能力。計劃或舉辦活動，尤其是在未來3-4個月內，將不得不從根本上重新設想，因為人們不太可能旅行。值得慶幸的是，近年來我們引進了數字系統和平臺，這意味著我們可以繼續合理有效地運營。我們一如既往地在這里盡可能地支持和幫助你們，特別是在上述三個挑戰和機遇方面。

我們將努力通過定期的數字簡報，讓獎項大家庭中的每個人都能更好地了解情況和建立聯系。特別是，我們將收集并與您分享故事、建議和想法，以展示您和獎項參與者如何激勵我們所有人做出積極的改變。

我們最誠摯的問候送給迄今為止受到新冠病毒影響的所有人和那些在未來幾周和幾個月不可避免地受到影響的人們。我們向您和您的家人致以最良好的祝愿，希望您一切安好。

在當下，緊密的協同努力變得更加重要。對于我們的年輕人來說，此刻正是他們的關鍵時刻來響應獎項的口號：為世界而努力！

誠祝春安！

韋塞克斯伯爵，愛德華王子

愛丁堡公爵國際獎基金會 理事長

梅 約翰

愛丁堡公爵國際獎基金會 秘書長

英國愛德華王子聯同愛丁堡公爵國際獎基金會全球秘書長梅約翰發表公開信原文

20 March 2020

Dear friends,

Together, we face challenging and uncertain times.

Fewer and fewer of us can avoid the impact of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our respective governing bodies and young people doing their Award are no different, although our story is not all gloom and doom. We are having to react and in a way that lives up to the values we believe in being empowering, progressive, diverse and connected. It is exactly at times like these that building resilience, enhancing communication, encouraging adaptability, problem solving and tenacity are even more essential. As an Award community, we will be striving to do that more than ever.

This pandemic has re-written the way that we interact and the ways in which we go about our daily lives. For many, this presents a very large challenge and young people are certainly not exempt from that. While recognising that an increasing number will not be able to attend schools, youth organisations, youth clubs or sports clubs, we strongly believe the Award can and should play an important part in young people’s lives at this time.

We recognise that there are three inter-related challenges and opportunities facing us all. Firstly, we must look after those who work for us and with us. Secondly, we must do everything we canto ensure that young people can still participate in Award activities and gain their Bronze, Silver or Gold recognition of their efforts. Thirdly, where it is safe to do so – and within the context of both national and local public health guidance - we must empower young people to do more than just participate. This last point may sound counter-intuitive, but we believe that young people, through proper guidance by their adult mentors, can turn their volunteering into providing the vital support that their own communities need to be resilient in these unprecedented times. Already we are hearing of Award participants and their adult supporters demonstrating that spirit: from ensuring that those who are isolated receive a phone call and a chat; to finding creative ways to distribute essentials such as food, soap and hand sanitizer. The global Award family is already working hard to support local communities responsibly.

Inevitably, the staff of the Foundation have been affected, seriously limiting our ability to move around and deliver face-to-face training, support or advice. Planning or running events, especially over the next 3-4 months, will have to be radically re-imagined asit is impossible for people to travel. Thankfully, the introduction of our digital systems and platforms over recent years means that we can continue too perate reasonably effectively. We are here, as ever, to support and help youas much as we can, especially in relation to these three challenges and opportunities.

We will be endeavouring to keep everyone in the Award family better informed and connected through regular digital briefings. In particular, we will be collecting and sharing stories, insights and ideas with you to show how you and Award participants are helping to inspire us all to make a positive difference.

Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus to date and those who will inevitably be affected in the coming weeks and months. We send our very best wishes to you and your families and we hope you all remain safe and well.

We can't recall a time when working together has been more important. There has rarely been a more important time for our young people to be #WORLDREADY.

Our warmest wishes,

HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO, Chairman of Trustees and John May OBE DL, Secretary General