On Monday 21st November 2016, Jubilee Centre Director Prof. James Arthur honoured 50 new #iwill Ambassadors with certificates at an awards ceremony held at Church House, London, with BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts. Prof. Arthur then spoke at a reception at the House of Commons, hosted by Rob Wilson MP.
Prof. Arthur highlighted the double benefit to young people of their service: "Young people who get involved in social action are having a positive impact on people around them, but at the same time are also benefiting themselves through the development of character virtues including humility, service and resilience."
The Ambassador event kicked off #iwillWeek, a national celebration of young people making a difference in their communities. The event also saw the launch of a multimillion fund for youth social action programmes following a £40 million investment from Government and the Big Lottery Fund.
This was the 3rd year running that the Jubilee Centre and the #iwill campaign has acknowledged young Ambassadors for their commitment to service. Ambassadors are appointed to celebrate and champion the role that young people can play in making a difference to their community through volunteering, campaigning or fundraising. With a campaign goal of getting 6 in ten young people regularly taking part in ‘social action’ by 2020, the #iwill campaign is calling on organisations across society to recognise and celebrate the impact of young people and create more opportunities for them to take part.
Photograph top left: Prof. Arthur with #iwill Ambassadors after receiving their certificates
