News

December 16, 2009 WOSM delegates held a side event at the Bella Centre that was to serve as the platform for some of the youth of the movement attending the Scouts for Climate Summit sharing with us their stories of how environmental awareness and education from within Scouting continues to affect their lives, the lives of their communities and the lives of all people around the world.

As the decision makers of the future, Scouts have a crucial role to play in the development of local sustainable environmental projects.In August 2009, Kent Scouts, part of the UK Scout Association, bought a derelict traditional countryside barn and stable block. At the time of purchase the barn which includes over 4 acres of land could have had many uses. Through involving Scouts and Scouters from across Kent a vision has come together for its use and the impact it has. It will provide a world class Scouting centre with multifunctional rooms, comfortable accommodation and facilities, adventurous activities and a central venue, the barn. It became clear from speaking to young people that this development should be eco-friendly and create something unique that compliments its natural landscape.

Copenhagen, Denmark: "Volunteers do. Volunteers act. They are doing something about climate change; making things happen and improving lives," said UN Volunteers Executive Coordinator Flavia Pansieri at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15) yesterday. "Millions of people are taking action for the environment as volunteers. Their actions are more powerful than any statement about solving climate change and they deserve recognition and support. Governments need to take note and include volunteers in their solutions to climate change."

15 December, 2009 - As part of the engaging activities of the COP15 Delegation of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), delegates had an opportunity to discuss the latest positions on the climate agreement with the European Union's Environment Ministers. This meeting provided a close insight of the policies that each of the countries within this region are fighting for.

The Danish Scouts and Guides are holding a Climate Camp throughout the two weeks of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The aim of the camp is to highlight the importance of climate change and the need for everyone to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. It does this by engaging adults and young people in a variety of fun, Scouting activities.

Scouts in Guyana have been getting more involved in taking action for the environment that lend to global efforts of fighting Climate Change. During the Scout Association of Guyana’s last National Anniversary Camp held in November, Scouts gathered to voice their opinions on the impact that Climate Change was having on their lives, country and the wider world. This led to the brainstorming of what projects Scouts in Guyana could tackle in the new year as a significant environmental project.

George Mansour is a Scout leader from Israel and is involved with a project that has recycling as its theme. Scout members from the Israeli Scout Federation will be building recycling containers out of traditional scout material's e.g. wood, ropes and bamboo. The containers are to be placed in scout tribes to enable the effective recycling of many items. George is one of the participants attending the Scouts for Climate Summit in Copenhagen Denmark.

December 14th Marked the beginning of the Scouts for Climate Summit. The summit organized by the Danish Guides and Scouts is an initiative that invites scout leaders from around the world to engage in the fight against climate change. The aim of the Climate Summit is to train scout leaders in different skills to enable and empower them.

December 14- Scouts attended one of the many high level youth briefings that occur throughout the duration of the Conference. This 30-minute event provided an opportunity for Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] to make a short intervention to discuss the linkages between climate science and COP 15 negotiations. His discussion relating to the processes of IPPC was followed by questions from youth in attendance.

On Thursday 10th December the voices of young people around the world were heard at the UNFCCC COP 15 Conference. Youth and Future Generations Day was an opportunity for youth organizations to share their thoughts and ideas on climate change through a variety of actions, workshops and presentations. Scouting joined in this celebration of youth with a presentation explaining why Scouts are part of the solution to climate change. The presentation, given to a wide audience of conference participants, focused on showcasing what Scouts are doing all around the world to raise awareness of climate change and how Scouts are taking action to improve the environment.