New National Scout Organizations
At the moment, there are 37 countries in Africa which have national Scout organizations which are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Another nine countries have some Scouting, but not a sufficiently established organization to be recognized internationally. They are refered to as Potential member countries. For Scouting to grow and develop in these countries, support is needed from the Region, and from other countries.
Strategies
a) Through field visits determine the support which is needed to help develop Scouting in each potential member country
b) Provide necessary training through courses, management seminars, and programme workshops
c) Develop and distribute promotion and publicity materials
Growth in membership
Most Scout organizations in Africa reach a very low percentage of available youth. The potential for growth is great. Scouting is well known and appreciated in Africa. In all areas the main problem is one of making Scouting accessible to the many interested young people.
The objective is to make Scouting available to more young people in Africa, and increase its membership.
Objective
To increase the number of National Scout Organizations in Africa. To increase the number of Scouts in each organization reaching out especially to hitherto unreached segments of society.
Strategies
a) Provide specialised training to leaders to enable them extend Scouting to children in difficult circimstances
b) Develop radio programmes to reach potential Scouts distributed over vast geographocal areas across difficult African terrain
c) To train, assist and support in expanding Scouting in existing areas as well as in reaching out to segments of the population hitherto not reached by Scouting due to:
• Geographical factors ( distances and terrain)
• Social factors (street children, slum dwellers, etc)
• Economic factors (rural and other marginal areas)
• Gender factors (girls and young women)
• Physical factors (young people with disabilities)
d) Develop and execute a good public relations and communications plan that will raise the profile of Scouting throughout the region thus attracting more members, earning support and goodwill from the local and international community.