Prince Harry.Photo: Jon Bond - WPA Pool/Getty
Just asPrincess Dianawas an inspiration to so many around the world,Prince Harrywants to be a role model for his son,Archie.
Harry continued, “Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father, knowing that my son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behavior, one day maybe even following in my footsteps. But it’s not just my role as a father that shows me that; it’s in the people I see every day that don’t realize how inspirational they are to those watching.”
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Harry added that his mother, who died in a 1997 car crash in Paris, inspired people around the world.
“My mother, Princess Diana, was a role model to so many, without realizing the impact she would have on so many lives. You don’t have to be a princess or a public figure to be a role model, in fact it’s equally valuable if you’re not because it’s more relatable,” he said. “Being a role model and mentor can help heal the wounds of your own past and create a better future for someone else.”
Prince Harryconcluded his speech, “To the mentees here today, I am incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved, and I can safely say that my mother, who would have turned 58 yesterday, would feel the same.”
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The charity, which recently celebrated it’s 20th anniversary, hopes the first National Youth Mentoring Summit will bring together young people, industry leaders and experts, as well as business people and government officials to emphasize the importance of mentoring.
Harry has visited some of the Diana Award’s mentoring days, and his office says that he believes “every child should be given the opportunity and support they need to fulfill their potential, regardless of their background or situation.”
“Through a program of public and private visits, His Royal Highness regularly supports projects that enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their skills and confidence.”
The Diana Award charity has focused on mentoring as a way of breaking down the barriers of social mobility in the lives of vulnerable young people and can help them develop the practical skills that they need in order to achieve their goals.
When he arrived at the summit, held in the business district of London, Harry met some of the young people, who have been mentees and representatives from organizations and have seen the business benefits of becoming mentors. The prince then listened to a panel discussion on some of the barriers teenagers face and what businesses are doing to help them before sharing some words of his own.
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Urging companies to sign up to “allow their staff to have mentoring time to help a young person in their community,” Ojo added, “Too many young people grow up without a positive role model in their lives. We know that mentoring is fundamental to breaking down the barriers of social mobility in the lives of vulnerable young people. Everyone has something to offer – regardless of industry, age or experience.”
source: people.com
