They aim to support the integration of immigrants in Austria and to develop open mindedness and intercultural understanding as essential steps to peace. They intend to take an active role in society and show how the Guides and Scouts of Austria can be a model and partner for migrant initiatives.
The Scouts have produced a handout on how to work with migrants to be published and distributed to all local groups. The local groups are now developing projects in their local communities, and these projects will be published and presented to the Austrian President in a huge multicultural festivity on 17 June 2007, in Vienna and the regional capitals.
At a national level the Scouts have started to work with Muslim youth groups to look for ways to better integrate second and third generation Muslims into mainstream society. These are the children of immigrants from countries such as Turkey, Serbia and the Middle East who live in segregated communities. The young people may feel caught between two distinct ways of living: the 'austrian way of life' and that of their families' cultural and religious community. The Scouts hope to create partnerships with the youth groups and run joint seminars and activities. They hope to welcome more young people from these communities into Scouting if they wish to join.