We cannot expect to attract young people to Scouting and the adults we need unless we raise the profile of Scouting. The media is a powerful way of engaging with the public, of explaining how Scouting contributes to the community and young people.

But dealing with the media requires particular skills, and young people need support and guidance to be spokespeople. Being able to deliver a targeted message to media will raise the profile of the Movement, which in turn means you can target and attract more young people as members, appropriate young adults as volunteers, or financial support.

In September 2005, the World Scout Conference adopted a Brand Communication Strategy for WOSM. Before the launch of the Centennial year, a training plan has been developed to facilitate the implementation of the Communication Strategy at international and national level. The aim is to train the persons in charge of the Communication Strategy of a National Scout Organisation and future Young Spokespeople who can help put the faces of youth in front of the media.

The forum will also include elements to develop a communications plan incorporating the new WOSM brand and the 2007 Centenary year.

In order to synchronise the communication of the Movement at global level in 2007, the forums have been organised in partnership with the regional offices, supported by the World Scout Bureau Media and Communication teams, and will involve the additional support of the Scout Association of the UK.

Objectives of the forum

• To introduce the new World Scout Brand
• To implement WOSM's Branding and Communications Strategy at international level and to adapt it to national level
• To prepare to communicate worldwide for 2007
• To establish a network of those involved in Scouting's Communication
• To consult the NSOs on the development and the implementation of the Brand Communication Strategy

The Forums will be held in six locations:

Please download the invitations and application forms above for detailed information about each event. The provisional programme is available for download from the column on the right of this page.