Why we believe Black Lives Matter

We, at the DofE, support the Black Lives Matter movement and stand with people of colour against racism and discrimination of all kinds.

Inclusivity is at the heart of DofE. Any young person can do their DofE, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or background. Each young person is as unique as the DofE journey they take and every day we celebrate the diversity of our participants’ interests, passions and achievements.

DofE encourages young people to speak up, help others and lead positive change, and we will continue to support and encourage young people to work together to create a better, kinder and more just world for everyone. Prejudice and discrimination have no place in our society now or in the future.

However, the awful reality is that racism impacts our BAME colleagues, young participants, volunteers, supporters and their families and friends every day. We recognise that we all have a responsibility to listen to BAME young people and our BAME colleagues, to reflect on and learn from their lived experience, to educate ourselves and to take action at a personal, organisational and societal level to address these injustices.

I look forward to working with our staff and the wider DofE family to listen, learn and take the necessary action to improve the experiences and participation of people of colour in the days, months and years ahead and to being the change we want to see in the world.