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Escotismo para Todos (Scouting for All)

Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal

Portugal

Scouts in Portugal are working to promote the social integration of immigrant communities through partnerships between Scouts and immigrant communities, Scout activities and the integration of young people and adults from these communities into Scouting.

 

Description

The Portuguese Scout project, Escotismo para Todos (Scouting for All), is being implemented at local level throughout Portugal. The aim is to promote the social integration of the immigrant communities, through:

  • Partnerships and new communication channels created between Scout Groups and local immigrant communities
  • Scout activities developed mainly by 130 local Scout Groups, bringing together Scouts and young people and adults from outside scouting living in immigrant communities. These activities aim to demonstrate that Scouting welcomes everybody and that people from the immigrant communities can take part in Scouting or work in cooperation on projects.

The project Escotismo para Todos (Scouting for All) has the support of ACIME - Alto Comissariado para a Imigração e Minorias Étnicas (The High Committee for Immigration and Ethnic Minorities). The project is also part of the European Youth Campaign 'All different, All equal' (for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation) through the Portuguese National Campaign Committee.

National wide training sessions for Scout Leaders are being run to share information and support regarding immigration and ethnic minorities in Portugal, the value of multicultural education, the opportunities that Scouting can offer in the integration processes, and the advantages for local groups in including young people and adults from these communities in Scouting or having their local associations (NGOs) as partners.

Informal events are being promoted by the Scouts and ACIME bringing together local Scout Groups and local representatives of immigrant communities, facilitating the establishment of local partnerships. Scout activities are being promoted by each Scout Group with one or more immigrant communities.

A National Camp, organised in cooperation with ACIME, and involving almost 200 young people from Scouting and immigrant communities, is being run as part of the National Diversity Week celebrations.

The Scouts believe that their project will help the integration of immigrant people, from diverse cultures and backgrounds, in the local communities. They hope to build respect, gain a better understanding of the issue and fight preconceptions.

 
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