Dear Friends in Scouting and in Guiding in Europe,
As the launching of the Call for participants for the Academy 2021 is approaching, we would like to inform you regarding the event’s format for 2021. During consultations earlier in spring, the two Regional Committees of the European Scout Region of WOSM and the Europe Region WAGGGS discussed the way forward for the Academy 2021 and the Academies in the following years. These decisions were taken in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Academy 2021
After having undertaken a risk assessment with the Federation of German Guiding and Scouting and in spite of the strong desire to hold the Academy 2021 in-person, the two Regional Committees of the European Scout Region of WOSM and the Europe Region WAGGGS have agreed that, due to the ever-evolving pandemic situation, the most viable approach will be to hold the event fully online.
We would like to express our gratitude to the German Federation for the time and energy it already invested in the initial preparations and for creating the foundations of a fruitful partnership work.
The decision was not taken lightly but factors such as the varied vaccination roll-out and the question of inclusivity of access across the Regions were taken into consideration. The event will certainly benefit and build on the experiences gained in 2020, when the Academy had already been organised in an online format. You will receive more information soon regarding the dates and other essential details.
Academy 2022
As indicated last year (cf. Joint Communication 06-2020) and considering that the Academy 2020 was originally to be hosted in Lithuania by Lietuvos skautija, we are happy to confirm that the Academy 2022 is still scheduled to take place in Lithuania so that participants and delegates can fully experience the host’s hospitality.
An assessment whether the regions can go ahead with this plan will take place in early 2022.
Academy 2023
Similarly, and considering that the Academy 2021 was originally to be hosted in Germany by the Federation of German Guiding and Scouting, we have offered the German Federation to host the Academy 2023 in Germany allowing participants and delegates to fully experience the host’s hospitality. This will be confirmed in due course.
The Academy is a great learning and networking event. It is also an opportunity for us to place emphasis on sustainability, a priority for the European Regions of WAGGGS and WOSM.
We are looking forward to welcoming many participants so that we can spread the Scouting and Guiding spirit even further.
The Europe Committee WAGGGS and the European Scout Committee of WOSM
Geneva & Brussels, 18 May 2020