The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award will be introduced in Papua New Guinea following a roundtable discussion held in Port Moresby on 18 September 2025.
The event was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape.
The discussions focused on how the award program could support young people in developing skills such as resilience, leadership, and community engagement outside the classroom.
For PNG, Puma Energy and the TISA Group have been named as founding partners, providing initial financial and logistical support.
During the event it was announced that a pilot program will commence in 2026 with three secondary schools in Port Moresby: Jubilee Secondary, De La Salle Secondary, and Gordons Secondary School. A broader national rollout is planned after the pilot phase.
The program will also receive support from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award office in Australia.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, said that the Award empowers youths with leadership, community engagement, and resilience, while also giving them opportunities for exposure to international institutions.
“Every young person deserves the chance to discover their purpose, passion, and place in the world.”
He also expressed his gratitude for the support from Puma Energy and the TISA Group.
Speaking on behalf of Puma Energy, Jiri Zrust, Trustee and Chair of the World Fellowship of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and Chairman of Puma Energy.
“At Puma Energy, we are proud to be a Founding Partner of the Award in Papua New Guinea. Investing in young people is investing in the nation’s future, and we are honoured to help bring this world-renowned framework to our communities alongside the TISA Foundation.”
The event was also attended by Peter Kaye, Chief Executive of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands, PNG’s Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae, Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, Cardinal Sir John Ribat; senior officials from the Department of Education, the UK and Australian High Commissions, and representatives of Puma Energy, the TISA Foundation, and the pilot schools.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was established in 1956 and now operates in more than 130 countries. It provides young people with internationally recognized accreditation for non-formal learning and development, which is acknowledged by many employers and universities.