40th World Scout Conference opens in Ljubljana
Ljubljana, Slovenia (PRWEB UK) 11 August 2014 -- Today, the 40th World Scout Conference, dubbed as the Movement’s “World Assembly”, opened its doors to over 1,200 delegates from 130 National Scout Organizations.
From 11th to 15th August, representatives from the National Scout Organizations will review the educational methods for the world’s largest youth organisation and consider adopting a new strategic Vision for Scouting towards 2023, which is aimed at growing the Movement from 40 million members today to over 100 million by 2023.
In his opening speech entitled “Unity in diversity”, Scott Teare, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, said: “We are all gathered here to continue to be relevant to more young people around the world in the way that we provide them with non-formal education and life-long skills so that they become a force of good in their communities, and eventually help create a better world.”
In a written statement, former Polish President Lech Walesa said: “Today, the main socio-economic problem in the world particularly affecting young people is the lack of jobs, and resulting from that, lack of opportunities, hope, and prospects. It is a great task to prepare young people to cope with these challenges, to teach them how to discover their own talents, grow their potential, and develop creativity and entrepreneurship. The work that International Scout and Guide Community carry out cannot be overestimated.”
Approximately 200 Scout volunteers from the Slovenian National Scout Organization were involved in organising the conference, themed “Shaping a Common Future”, bringing to life one of the core educational methods used in Scouting, called “learning by doing”.
Scott Teare concluded: “Our Movement is a volunteer-based movement and volunteers are the lifeblood of this Movement. The dedication of these people is incredible and we need more people like them, especially adult volunteers, to ensure that we grow this vibrant and diverse movement from 40 million members today 100 million within 10 years’ time.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lin Lin Yeoh, Global Director, Communications & External Relations
linlinyeoh(at)scout(dot)org - Tel: +386-40-927-592
About Scouting
Scouting, founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, is a grassroots level educational youth movement, engaging young people from all over the world. World Scouting today is a confederation of 162 National Scout Organizations in a network of over 40 million members. Some 7 million volunteer adults support local activities. Each of the 1 million local Scout Groups follows a similar system of non-formal education suited to the unique aspects of their local community. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is an independent, worldwide, non-profit and non-partisan organisation, which serves the Scout Movement. Its purpose is to promote unity and the understanding of Scouting's purpose and principles, while facilitating its expansion and development. The organs of the World Organization are the World Scout Conference, the World Scout Committee and the World Scout Bureau.
Christophe Lecureuil, World Organization of the Scout Movement, http://scout.org/, +41 791031976, [email protected]
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