Record 40 million Scouts receive unprecedented recognition for their leadership in environmental action

USA - English

• USA - English

Geneva, Switzerland (PRWEB UK) 6 October 2015 -- Six Scouts, representing the 40 million in 220 countries and territories, received the award on behalf of the Founding President of Green Cross International, Mikhail Gorbachev, together with Corinne Lepage, Chair of CAP21 and Advisor to French President François Hollande on the Rights of Humanity.

Adam Koniuszewski, Chief Operating Officer of Green Cross International said: “Youth education is a key priority for Green Cross and we need to instill children with a positive awareness regarding environmental protection. I commend all 40 million Scouts who inspire their peers, friends, families and communities around the world by their actions for a sustainable future."

Ms LePage said: “What will be decided this December in Paris at the COP21 will require intergenerational and intercultural commitments to make it a reality. This is why I am delighted to present this Youth Leadership Award for the Environment to 40 million Scouts and 500 million alumni around the world. Their tireless actions have not only been to create a better environment and a better world, but also to promote peace and protect the Rights of Humanity at large, regardless of country, religion, gender or age.”

All 40 million Scouts around the world and the 500 million former Scouts will be able to download this personal award via a dedicated page on scout.org (http://www.scout.org/youcancountonus).

Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Scott A. Teare, concluded: “Since the inception of World Scouting, Scouts around the world have been taking action to address environmental and natural disaster issues in their communities and countries -- from disaster response efforts in Haiti, Madagascar, Nepal and the Philippines, to initiating the Trees For The World campaign in Ecuador, Canada and Kenya, coral reef restoration and mangrove tree planting in Indonesia. The list is endless. This Award will serve as an impetus to Scouts to do even more for the environment and I am convinced they will respond with a vibrant “You can count on us!”

Since October 2012, Scouts around the world have contributed more than 633 million service hours to over six million community projects through the World Scout Programmes, namely Messengers of Peace, World Scout Environment Programme and Scouts of the World Award. About 40% of the over 633 million service hours were related to environmental projects.

Ends

About the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
Scouting is one of the world’s leading educational youth movements, engaging millions of young people around the world to be active citizens to create positive changes in the communities they live in. Since 1907! Founded by Lord Baden-Powell, WOSM is a confederation of 161 National Scout Organizations in a network of over 40 million members, including some 7 million volunteers. As it has been doing for more than a century - creating a better world - it will continue to do so, and even better with the many Messengers of Peace across the globe.

Tom Marsden, World Scout Foundation, http://www.scout.org, +41 799540939, [email protected]