The Event was organised and facilitated by a core group of young Scout and Guide leaders from around the world, in conjunction with the World Scout Bureau. Special guest speakers included Dr Dominique Bénard, Director of Open Minds Global, as well as Bhatupe Mhango from UNAIDS and Helen Longworth from The International Awards Association.

Speaking at the opening session, Prof. Bjorn Maybury Lewis, Chairman of the Congress Scientific Committee highlighted the importance of the Youth Event in relation to the World Congress, and encouraged the young participants to play an active role during the following sessions.

Commenting on the event, Anthony Hughes, a participant from Ireland said “Overall it is very good! The programme has given us lots of opportunities for peer to peer learning, and given us the knowledge and confidence to give constructive inputs into the Congress from a youth perspective.”

Over the course of the three-day event through workshops, small plays and debate, participants deepened their understanding of Scouting’s qualities as a non-formal educational movement through learning from each other’s experiences, and exploring issues of social and personal development such as the North-South divide, education and global citizenship, progressive educational philosophies, understanding and using differences to move ahead, respect for others and for nature, Peace education and inter-religious dialogue.

The main sessions took place at Geneva’s Centre de l’Esperance however participants also had the opportunity to research issues in preparation for the Congress at l’Université de Genève, the Geneva Library of Theology and the World Scout Bureau. The participants also paid a research visit to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in order to examine its work in Relief, Rehabilitation and Development.

The Youth Event drew to a close with an 'open forum' on various aspects of education with participants broadly sharing the view that greater recognition should be given to the role played by Scouting and other non-formal educational organisations in contributing to the development of young people.

As part the Centenary of Scouting celebrations in 2007, the World Scientific Congress took place from November 16-17.

For further information see the following links:

http://www.coe.int/
http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/2007/congres_mondial
http://openmindsglobal.net/
http://www.unaids.org
http://www.intaward.org