Gaisce Award
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| Founded | 28 March 1985 |
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| Type | Youth award scheme |
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| Website | www |
Gaisce – The President's Award (Irish: Gaisce – Gradam an Uachtaráin) is an award in Ireland, earned by young people between the ages of 15 and 25 for participating in several activities for a certain period. There are three awards: bronze, silver and gold.
The term "gaisce" is from the Irish language and can be translated as "achievement". The award was established by a trust deed under the patronage of the President of Ireland on 28 March 1985. In 1988 the award became part of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association. The profile of the award was raised substantially following the first award ceremonies performed by President Hillery in 1989.
Every participant has the support of a "PAL" (President's Award Leader). It is not a competition, the only person you compete with is yourself. The PAL guides you through the challenges and sets appropriate activities.
Gaisce's mission is to contribute to the development of all young people through the achievement of personal challenges. Awards can be entered directly (without a previous award) or indirectly (from a previous award). There are four challenges in each award, which all must be outside school (except ECDL):
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Participants must be at least age 15 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete;
Participants must be at least age 16 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the silver award with no previous Bronze Gaisce award, four if entered from with a Bronze award already received;
Participants must be at least age 17 to enter. A minimum of one hour a week is required. There are five sections to complete if entering directly to the gold award with no previous Silver Gaisce award, four if entered from with a silver award already received;
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The award is presented at a regional ceremony by either a famous person (bronze/silver) or the President of Ireland (gold).
Gaisce is now closely affiliated with Scouting Ireland. It is integrated into the new 'One Program' for those who are at the qualifying age. Scouting Ireland has an award scheme called the Chief Scout Award which is an award that runs in conjunction with the Gaisce, although it is considered by many to be more difficult. Scout, Venture Scout, and Rover Scout Chief Scout Awards are affiliated with the Bronze, Silver and Gold Gaisce Awards. Through the Chief Scout Award you can in turn earn your Gaisce, but this does not work the other way around; if you have completed your Gaisce you do not receive your Chief Scout Award as well. All leaders who have been invested into Scouting Ireland and who have the appropriate training can take the role of being a PAL, if they so desire.
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