Example 1: South Africa

Peer education is a well tried and tested method in HIV/AIDS awareness. As this requires young people to discuss sex and sexual behaviour, peer education works well as many young people will not discuss these topics with adults.

Scouts and their leaders in South Africa have undergone training programmes so that some Scouts have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes and can lead discussions with their peers. From these discussions young people are encouraged to understand the facts of HIV/AIDs and adopt or change their behaviour so that they and their friends are not at risk. This requires young people to be given responsibility and be trusted by leaders, which has shown great results in South Africa.

The incidence of HIV/AIDS in Scout Africa is high and many young people will know people who are HIV positive. The programme also helps young people to take care of those who already have AIDS.

Example 2: El Salvador

The project in El Salvador has brought together young people from gangs with young people who are Scouts. The older Scouts act as leaders, helping the young people to develop skills in leadership and teamwork. The presence of an older 'brother' or 'sister', who they can learn from, is a positive role-model for these young people. This is hopefully a skill that they will value and develop and take this positive experience into other areas of their lives, extending the impact of the project to other family members and the wider community.

Example 3: Ireland

Building on the peer group is the basis of the programme in Ireland. Young people from different parts of the community are encouraged to develop links and build contacts and friendships with other young people. Through sharing these experiences young people are encouraged to explore and build on their similarities which helps to break down the barriers of mistrust and prejudice that have existed for many years. This will result in changing attitudes, not just in the young people themselves, but also within peers who are not Scouts and within their families. Scouting is helping to build trust and tolerance in a community that was very divided.