The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, presides over the Duke Of Edinburgh’s International Gold Awards, at the Palace, Valletta. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme was initiated by HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh and launched in 1956. The scheme is a self-development programme opened to all youths between the ages of 15 and 25 years. It aims to equip youths with life skills so as to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world at large.