Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/612918
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2015 TWO young people from Malta are among 60 young people from across the Commonwealth who are being recognised as excep- tional leaders in their commu- nity. 28-year-old Annabelle Xerri from Mosta has been selected in recognition of her work promot- ing equal opportunities for the deaf community in her country, and 19-year-old Sara Ezabe from Gzira has been acknowledged for her commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive so- ciety. Xerri and Ezabe will receive a prestigious Queen's Young Lead- ers Award, which will be pre- sented in London by Her Majesty the Queen in 2016, and is part of the Queen's Young Leaders Programme, which celebrates the achievements of young peo- ple who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference in their communities. This year's Award winners, aged between 18 and 29 and who come from all over the Com- monwealth, are working to sup- port others, raise awareness and inspire change on a variety of different issues including edu- cation, climate change, gender equality, mental health and dis- ability equality. "It's amazing to be recognised among so many other brilliant young people who are making a difference," Xerri said. Xerri explained how she has been deaf since the age of six, eventually learning to lip read until she was 25 years old, at which point she mastered the sign language. "I work with local families to offer them advice and support as well as with the authorities to en- sure that deaf people have equal opportunities, enabling them to live independently," Xerri added. The Queen's Young Leaders Programme was established in 2014 by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in part- nership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Soci- ety in recognition of the Queen's lifetime of service to the Com- monwealth. Over the next three years the programme will sup- port thousands of young people to achieve their goals. "Once again 60 incredible young people from around the Commonwealth have shown strength, leadership, empathy and drive," Dr Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust said. "Some of our winners are just embarking on their leadership journey and others are more es- tablished. Either way, we recog- nise not only what these amaz- ing young people have achieved, but also their potential in chang- ing people's lives for the better in the countries and communities in which they live," she added. As part of the Award, winners will receive bespoke mentoring and online learning provided by the University of Cambridge. Award winners will attend a week-long residential pro- gramme in the UK in June, when they will receive their Award at Buckingham Palace from the Queen. In order to be eligible for the award, nominees will have prov- en experience of working to im- prove their communities locally, regionally or at a national level and will show evidence of their achievements; will have to be aged between 18 and 29 for the year of the Award and be citizens of a Commonwealth country and demonstrate evidence of their leadership qualities. Priority will be given to individuals who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals, and all nominees will need to be supported by a suit- able referee. For a full list of Award winners and Highly Commended runners up, and to read more about their stories, log on to www.queensy- oungleaders.com News H ave a wild, witty, warm Christmas at Valletta Waterfront! We have an array of free festive activities for all ages planned throughout December. Choose from a mix of quality restaurants, bars and shops. Stay cosy indoors, or take in the stunning Grand Harbour views while dining in heated outdoor terraces. Enjoy quality time with family, colleagues and friends, and ensure Valletta Waterfront is your destination of choice this winter. www.vallettawaterfront.com/christmas Flat rate parking from €2.50 Christmas Cheers and Celebrations Two Maltese girls among Queen's 'young leaders' Annabelle Xerri and Sara Ezabe have been chosen with 58 others from the Commonwealth for their contributions towards fostering a more tolerant, diverse and inclusive society Annabelle Xerri Sara Ezabe