Spiritual Development
God is not some narrow-minded personage, as some people would seem to imagine, but a vast Spirit of Love that overlooks the minor differences of form and creed and denomination and which blesses every man who really tries to do his best, according to his lights, in His service.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell
World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is happy to announce the launch of its latest publication, Guidelines on Spiritual and Religious Development.
These guidelines have been prepared to support Scout Associations in the development of the spiritual aspect of their members. It provides principles and guidance to support programme design rather more than a detailed discussion of the nature of spiritual development. It will take as the norm, the understanding of Spiritual Development articulated and reaffirmed by the World Scout Conference in its various Conference resolutions and documents.
“SPI”, as in “spirituality” or “spiritual development”. Frightening words? No. Words that give food for thought and a choice in personal values. It is your challenge to organise a SPI activity, in your group, your local programme council, your regional meeting… Through the pages of this “spiritual handbook” you will find a lot of information, references and activities to organise with your group. Just go for it! All local and regional leaders are capable of organising a SPI activity. Published in conjunction with Scouts et Guides Pluralistes de Belgique.
This reference document shows how through its principles, method, activities, group life, etc., Scouting creates an atmosphere that is conducive to the search for inner peace and truth. In so doing, Scouting seeks to contribute to the development of young people who are strong in their convictions yet who are open and tolerant, firm in their faith while respectful of the faiths of others - far away from fanaticism. In view of the widespread indifference to religion and invasive materialism, the importance of this is obvious.
The 3rd World Scout Inter-religious Symposium (WSIS) will be held from 21st to 25th October 2009 in Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. This event will be organised by the World Scout Inter-religious Forum (WSIF), an informal network of religious groups/organisations in Scouting and will be jointly hosted by International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) and The Uganda Scouts Association.
The second World Scout Interreligious Symposium (WSIS) will be held at the Fo Guang Shan Temple, Kaoshiung, Taiwan, from Friday 5 May to Monday 8 May 2006 (arrivals on Thursday 4 May and departures on Tuesday 9 May).
After many years of efforts following the proposal made by Gualtiero Zanolini to the Interreligious Scout Forum (which groups the religious Scout co-ordinations in consultative status with WOSM as well as representatives from other active denominations in Scouting), the dream became a reality: thanks to the energetic and efficient support from Spanish Scouting, in particular from the members of the Movimiento Scout Catolico (MSC), the first World Scout Interreligious Symposium took place in Valencia, Spain, from 29 November to 2 December 2003.
