Prince Edward Honors Charity Gala Promoting Youth's Personal Development İn Istanbul

– United Kingdom Earl of Wessex Prince Edward KG GCVO was the honor guest of a gala dinner organized within his visit to Istanbul for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, following his visits to Darüşşafaka Schools and Tarabya British Schools which are participant to the youth award programme, on late Oct 15.

The gala dinner aimed at raising awareness and fun-raising for the international award, targeting to recognize adolescents and young adults for completing a series of self-improvement exercises and encouraging youth's social and cultural development.

At the Gala organized by TİKAV association within Akfen Holding, Akfen Chairman Hamdi Akın, National Committee President of the Award in Turkey Sultan Yılmaz, National Committee Vice President Pelin Akın and Attorney in Law Selim Akın, important figures from the business world and social life were hosted.

Some of the important guests included Doğan TV Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ and her husband Yandex Turkey President Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ, Cansen Başaran Symes, the Chairwoman of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and Vakko Holding Chairman Cem Hakko.

Goal: 20,000 new students until 2020

The return of the gala dinner will be donated for charity works aiming to reach more young people, within the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

"TİKAV within Akfen that we have founded in 1998 have been assuring the educational orientation for young people residing in Turkey's southeastern provinces. We aim at offering them summer schools in Ankara and İstanbul. Also, since 1998 we have been applying the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme, as its unique sponsor in Turkey.

Having said he found the participant from Turkey highly positive, Akın said, "The programme has drawn a great interest in the country. Thus, Prince Edward has visited Istanbul and honored us. Until today, we have educated 12,000 young people and he is here to support our works".

Akın announced their aim was to reach 20,000 new students in the programme, until 2020. "The only sponsor is Akfen Holding, however the sponsorships could rise, which would lead us to more young people to educate, with more financial support."

Prince Edward was at schooldesks in Istanbul

Earl of Wessex Prince Edward has gathered with award leaders, students and participants in Darüşşafaka and Tarabya British Schools in Istanbul, to raise awareness in Turkey on the Duke of Edinburgh International Award for youth on early Oct. 15.

"The award gives you a framework which you can develop young people's characters and individual skills but also the belief in them selves. Life is full of challenges but also the programme opens doors, and life is full of opportunities. But actually having the confidence to take step through that door, to have that confidence in yourself is important. Thank you for helping tham taking on life challenges and making a real success in their lives" has said Prince Edward.

The the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Programme is a self-development programme for any young person between the ages of 14-24, that is carried out in three categories, bronze, silver and gold. The categories include, volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, and Residential.

The Turkish Human Resources Education and Health Foundation (TİKAV), having the view that the academic progress of young people must also be supported with their social and cultural progress, has began to implement the Award Programme within its own founding in 2001. - Istanbul