A year ago, last weekend, the European Scout Committee met in Duisburg, Germany, for its second business meeting. Little did we know that it would be our last in-person meeting in 2020 before the enforcement of the pandemic restrictions. Next week, we will be in the 12th month since the tremendous shift brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. A change that has affected our members’ work nationally as well as our regional and global operations.
Looking back, our journey has been filled with learning, growth and innovation. We are not growing tired to highlight that most of our members have not only adapted to the new digital reality to keep Scouting going but they have even excelled at offering compelling and innovative home Scouting programmes. On a regional level, we have managed to create spaces of togetherness and connectivity where members could meet to exchange, learn and reach out for support. Our flagship regional event, the Scout and Guide Academy, went fully digital and succeeded at maintaining the same spirit of peer learning and friendship at a time where human connections were most needed.
Scouts all over Europe have responded to the call of their communities by offering their time, energy and know-how to the most vulnerable. Scouts in Poland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Croatia have all received an EU award recognizing their valuable contribution to a fairer and more peaceful society. What an inspiring way to kick off a new year, promising more prosperity, growth and success to Scouting in Europe and beyond.
As per our practice, we share herewith the Record of Decisions of our fifth business meeting – #transparency. This record provides a general overview of the progress we have made as well as the areas we continue to focus on. Any additional information can be requested via the Europe Support Centre (europe@scout.org) or your respective Committee Contact.
During our meeting we also:
- Met with the Coordinators of the Operational Framework (Lana Husagić, Beatričė Leiputė and Laura Neijenhuis) to get a full update on the progress being made with the implementation of the Regional Scout Plan 2019-2022. Check the overall progress here https://rsp.scouthub.org/.
- Received an update on the new composition of the Operational Framework: 79 Regional volunteers from 26 countries, with an age average of 33 and with a gender balance of 46% female and 54% male.
- Highlighted some key achievements including, among others
(all these accomplishments will soon be circulated in the course of our next communications):- The Inclusive Participation in Home Scouting Recommendation Paper – Adapting a more inclusive approach, circulated in December 2020.
- The Impact of Scouting from Home Report, unique insights on last year’s realities.
- The Regional Scout Plan 2019-2022 Mid-Term Report – presented in an innovative format.
- The Regional Scout Plan 2022-2024 process – now approved by the Committee
- We also took the opportunity of an online meeting to connect with friends, peers and colleagues:
- We were joined by the Secretary-General of WOSM – Ahmad Alhendawi to exchange on current priorities, including the World Triennial Plan journey, the upcoming World Scout Conference for an exceptional online experience and the Global Youth Mobilization for ‘Generation Disrupted’.
- Met the Regional Director of the World Scout Bureau Arab Support Centre, Amr Hamdy Abdelghany, learned more about the current initiatives in the Arab Region and reflected on how to revive partnership opportunities for our respective member organisations.
- Connected with our friends from the Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Aidan Jones and Eliane Baumann, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the KISC Association Committee, Jack Higgins, Director, and Beat Wenger, Chairperson of the Foundation Board. From the impact of the pandemic to the great opportunity to experience the World Scout Centre online. We also cannot wait to take part in the KISC Centenary celebrations in 2023
- Held a short joint meeting with the Europe Committee WAGGGS to share updates and receive reports from our joint working groups.
- Throughout the meeting, we continued to monitor the financial situation of the Region, reviewed the expected areas of improvements and compliance in the financial ecosystem of the Region, completed a review of the Regional Reach Out outcomes and reflected on the current status of the impact of the pandemic on our plans to re-start our in-person activities.
Last but not least, we are happy to extend our invitation to our upcoming Campfire with the European Scout Committee scheduled on 17 March 2021 at 20h00 CET. During this session, we will take the opportunity to:
- Share updates from the European Scout Committee and Operational Framework.
- Create fun moments.
- Collect your ideas, insights and questions.
To confirm your participation, please complete the following registration form. All practical information will be shared with those registered a few days before the event.
The European Scout Committee
9 March 2021
Annex:
– Record of Decisions of the European Scout Committee (March 2021)