Example 1: Ireland

Following over 20 years of conflict between the two communities in Ireland, the need to reduce the segregation and build bridges across the communities was recognised by many groups. Money was made available for cross-border and cross-community initiatives and Scouting was able to benefit from these grants to bring young people together for activities. The funding offered new possibilities for Scout Groups on both sides of the border and was a key element in the development of the programme. It is important to build on the agenda of civil society and take advantage of the political agenda and the opportunities that arise.

 

Example 2: Saudi Arabia

After the events in New York on 9 September 2001, Saudi Arabia was aware of its negative image in the west and was concerned with the negative images of their country and Islam generally. The Saudi Scouts have worked to challenge this image and develop intercultural learning between Saudi Scouts, Scouts worldwide and their communities. At their key 2006 event, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, called on Scouts around the world to become 'messengers of peace'.

The need to break down stereotypical images has been recognized by leaders in many organisation and countries around the world. Scouting brought young people together to celebrate their own culture and learn about other cultures. Apart from the normal activities in the camp, Scouts took part in a series of workshops organized by the Saudi Centre for National Dialogue. The Centre - a brainchild of King Abdullah - is tasked with involving ordinary people throughout the country in discussion to find the way forward for the future. Together, the participants - men and women - discuss issues such as the rights of women, preventing militant Islam being taught in schools or preached in the Mosque and how to open the Kingdom to others from different cultures, nationalities and faiths.

 

Example 3: South Africa

HIV/AIDS is an enormous problem in South Africa and the whole of sub-Sarahan Africa. Scouting in Scout Africa, as an organisation focusing on the development of young people, feels that it has a moral obligation to help its members reduce the risk of becoming affected by the HIV virus and role models in the community for caring for people who have AIDS.

Scouting cannot do this on its own and it therefore works in conjunction with schools and other organisations, particularly Novib (Oxfam Netherlands) who provides technical support for the programmes. Scouting has been responsible for co-ordinating the South Africa AIDS initiative for over 50,000 youth and taking a lead in the work on HIV/AIDS in the southern zone of the Africa Scout Region.

The need to train young people and the effectiveness of peer education in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in this age-group has not been accepted in all parts of society so Scouting is not just following the trend but is taking a lead in the fight against AIDS.