A 25-year-old Kenyan has been appointed an Emerging Leader representative to sit on the International Council (IC) of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Association.

Rose Poka (pictured) was among the eight International Award (Intaward) alumni elected by their peers to sit in the IC to represent the voice of young people.

Poka, who is a Gold Award Holder and Volunteer of the President’s Award-Kenya (PA-K), said she will use the opportunity to bring the youth perspective to the International Council deliberations and be the voice of young people not only in Africa but also the world.

“I appreciate all my peers in the award who elected me as the Emerging Leader Representative for the Africa Region. I appreciate every effort towards this; preparing the documents and video, the endorsements, the prayers, the encouragement to keep going, the votes and the belief in me, just to mention but a few,” she said.

Key platform

Poka graduated in July with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.

“It is an honour to get this opportunity to represent young people, and more importantly on such a key platform where decisions that influence empowerment of young people are made. I look forward to bringing the youth perspective to the IC deliberations, representing the young people in Africa and the World’’ she said.

She lauded Duke of Edinburgh International Award and the Global Alumni Network for ensuring that young people are not observers but are also allowed to be on the decision making table.

Non-formal

PA-K Chief Executive Officer Nellie Munala said through the representation in the IC, young people can utilise the space to confirm their central role in developing their communities and countries.

“I have seen Rose grow through her engagement with the Award and in turn it has given her the opportunity to support her community and beyond,” she noted.

Munala said that as a champion for non-formal education, the PA-K presents a learning framework through which youth’s achievements outside academia are recognised and celebrated.

She urged the youth to grab the opportunity and participate in the Award programme in order to realize their infinite potential.

The newly elected Emerging Leaders include Potter Ka Kai Fong and Emily Milton Smith (Asia Pacific), Aybuke Caliskan and Eliska Krizova (EMAS), Poka and Peniel Boye (Africa), and Brianna Simmons and Chauntae Martine (America) who will sit in the IC for a period of three years.