20th European Scout Conference
At the end of a busy afternoon attending different preparatory sessions and various network meetings, everybody left the Conference venue. It was time to celebrate.
Representatives of Guidisme et Scoutisme en Belgique, led by its President, Laurent Geeraerts, as well as members of the two
Regional Committees, members of World and other Regional committees, and invited guests were hosted by the Mayor of the City of Brussels at the reception held in the city’s magnificent town hall on Grand Place. Pascale Lejeune, Head of the Youth in Action Programme at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education and Culture, was invited to address the participants. Recalling fond memories of his days as a Cub Scout and Rover in France, stressed the importance of youth participation and volunteering and the particularly valuable contribution made by Scouting and Guiding to social development. There followed an excellent opportunity for informal talks with the speaker and other guests.
Remaining participants of the conference had discovered parts of the city centre while walking to the Horta Gallery, where the 440 Scout and Guide leaders from around Europe gathered for the official opening ceremony of the Conference.
Wishing participants a great conference and five memorable days Laurent Geeraets introduced Mr Karel De Grucht, Belgian representative in the European Commission, who shared his thoughts on embracing change and volunteering. A blaze of colourful lights and music announced the start of the opening ceremony and a great performance of Belgian Scouts and Guides was the evening’s first highlight, involving audience participation and a symbolic raising of the flags of Belgium, WAGGGS and WOSM.
The Chairmen of the European Guide and Scout Committees, Fabiola Canavesi and Craig Turpie emphasised the conference theme of “No Limit” with it vision of big ideas for future actions, and express their wish that this would inspire all participants and their organisations. With the traditional a hit of the conference gavel on the lectern, Fabiola and Craig formally declared the conference open
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Some photos from the 17th July:
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If you are interested in more photos from the conference have look at Conference Picasa Web Album
Scout and Guide Leaders from around Europe have continued to arrive this morning in Brussels for the
13th European Guide and Scout Conference due to be officially opened later this evening. After sometimes very long journeys, many of them found themselves invited to mount a “quadro-cycle”, a four-wheeled bicycle more known to carry around tourists on the Belgian coast, which carried them the remaining distance to the Hotel and conference venue.
More than 300 delegates have already checked-in and registered and are currently meeting in small groups to prepare the first sessions of the conference, which will start with a number of introductory sessions later this afternoon. New delegates, candidates for election to the two Committees as well as facilitators of workshops will be briefed, before all participants will have the possibility to meet in a variety of networking sessions.
Some 450 Guide and Scout leaders from 45 different countries of Europe will be entertained by representatives of the city and Region of Brussels later this afternoon, when they will gather in Horta Gallery for the official opening ceremony of the conference.
The Scout and Guide Movement of Belgium, conference hosts of this year, will welcome delegates to their “conference bar” later this evening. The open air facility is conveniently situated less than two minutes from the hotel and will allow informal gatherings of delegates and possibilities for ‘chilling out’ after long hours of debate and work.
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For more photos have look at Conference Picasa Photo Gallery
13th European Guide and Scout Conference ready to start!
European Regional Committees and Staff Teams finished with their first coordination meeting on the Conference. Host teams was setting up registration desk and delegations package is ready to be given at registration desk at lobby of Bedford hotel.
Everything is ready for the registrations desk to open in 09:00 and to register first delegations to the 13th European Guide and Scout Conference.
 European Guide and Scout flag |
 European Regional Committees and Staff Teams |
 13th European Guide and Scout Conference registration desk. |
Triennal Report now available on Conference Documents page (at the moment in English, French version will follow very soon)
20th European Scout Conference and the 13th European Guide and Scout Conference Documents are accessible from right panel,
click on Conference Documents link
Visit 20th European Scout Conference - Circulars page there are some new conference circulars available in English and French:
Circular 5 - Invitation to participate in open call for key volunteer positions in triennium 2010-2014
Circular 6 - Invitation to participate in an online evaluation of the triennium 2007-2010
Circular 7 - Information about timing and deadlines to be respected at the European Conference
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