Dove

6. Co-operate with others

Scouting recognises the need to work in partnership with others to achieve results. Scouting as a large voluntary Movement for young people has particular strengths and networks that make it attractive to others. Often other groups or organizations have particular expertise and knowledge and often Scouting needs to work in close partnership with these organisations to achieve results.

Example 1: Hong Kong

The young people in the institution are under the control of the penal institution in Hong Kong so Scouting has to work in close co-operation with both the legal system and the social work department to provide Scouting for these young people. These are very supportive partnerships as both agencies recognise the good work that is undertaken by Scouting and the impressive results achieved. Since the programme started over 20 years ago none of the young people who have been Scouts have re-offended since their release.

Example 2: South Africa

The South Africa Scout Association recognises that it needs to work with many other groups to make sure that the programme is up to date in terms of HIV/AIDS awareness and peer education. Scouting in South Africa recognises that it has key contributions in the fight against AIDS. There is:

the Scout Method, which is a tried and tested way of engaging young people in non-formal education, access to young people from all parts of society as Scouting has traditionally crossed racial boundaries, access to young people in urban and rural areas, and communications, leadership and support to all Scout Groups.

Scouting recognised that there are many other inputs needed for the programme to be successful so it is working in partnership with them. Novib (Oxfam, Netherlands) is offering technical support to the programme.

Example 3: El Salvador

The situation of gangs and violence has been an issue of concern to many different groups in El Salvador but particularly for the government and the Education Department. Scouting has been working in close co-operation with the Education Department on this project and teachers have been trained in non-formal education using the Scout Method. Now, over 1,000 teachers are aware of the benefits of non-formal education and how this complements formal education giving young people a balanced education.

The project has been so successful that is has been taken over by the Education Department. Scouting in El Salvador has now extended its programme to working children and girls who have been abused.

 
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