Scouts Challenged to Innovate for a Sustainable Future at the Africa Scout Day Celebrations

6 minutos

The University of Nairobi played host to hundreds of Scouts from 20 countries from Africa and Europe for the 2023 Africa Scout Day celebrations held on 11 March 2023. Joined by a host of guests and partners, the Scouts gathered to celebrate the Scout Movement’s efforts in the areas of education and moulding of young people, training of adults and implementation of transformative community development activities. The Africa Scout Day is a recognition by the African Union through resolution (CM Res 1607 (LXII)) of the Council of Ministers meeting at its 62nd Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa from 21st to 23rd June 1995.

The celebrations which kicked off with a procession through the streets of Nairobi was a culmination of a week-long programme of activities that included a three-day camp and a Regional Scout go Solar Training that all took place in Nairobi.

Themed “Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future” the celebrations provided an opportunity to take stock of the achievements of Scouting, promote the spirit of world kinship, cooperation and mutual assistance amongst Scout Organizations in the Region and build partnerships for more social impact in Africa. It highlighted the growing need for youth and citizen participation in the realization of a sustainable world and the prosperity of our communities.

The Chief Guest, Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi while reflecting on the Scout values of Service to God, mankind, and self, was impressed by the Movement’s contribution to conserving the planet.

Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Copyright
World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
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World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Copyright
World Scout Bureau
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Copyright
World Scout Bureau

Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023

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As young people, you need to come up with innovative solutions to issues like hunger and food security, knowledge sharing and to overcome war and bring peace in the world. The Scouting movement must lead in these to ensure the world we live in will be more peaceful and better. Innovating for climate change is key to a more sustainable future.
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Prof. Stephen Kiama Gitahi
Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi

He further challenged the movement to envision a world where every child can go to school and learn.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Ambassador Jacob Kaimenyi, The Chief Scout of Kenya appealed to the young people to make a difference wherever they are so that when people see them, they’ll wish to be Scouts.

Decide to make a difference and help your siblings and parents to see things differently. Do not be passive bystanders, but active solution providers. We need to create partnerships that will help us to make a positive difference in our society. I appreciate our partners, and volunteers both men and women who continue to support us.
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Prof. Ambassador Jacob Kaimenyi
Chief Scout of Kenya

The Regional Director for Africa, Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama reflected on the significance of the day being to celebrate Scouts and their individual and collective contributions to creating a difference in the world. He recognized and called on partners to continue supporting Scouting.

We are all called to leave a good legacy for the next generation and should work together for the common good.
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the University of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Frederic KamaKama
Regional Director

Representing the Chairperson of the Africa Scout Committee, Albert Nyamwana observed that the Africa Scout Committee is charged with among others the function of promoting Scouting in the Africa Region and as such takes great pride in the recognition given to the Scout Movement by the African Union. He outlined some of the outstanding initiatives that Scout across Africa are implementing to combat many challenges facing the continent, notably Food for Life, International Leadership Training, Scouts Against Malaria, Scouting for Refugees, Ticket to Life, U-Report, and the Youth Speak Series.

As requested in the resolution that established Africa Scout Day, we reiterate the request to all Member States of the African Union to actively support the development, consolidation, and expansion of the Scout movement in Africa; and provide the necessary support to national Scouting structures to enable a wider outreach to many more young people who would greatly benefit from the movement’s lifechanging programme. This way we can continue do the work we do, better and in a larger scale.
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Albert Nyamwana
Member, Africa Scout Committee

Jo Deman, the Vice Chairperson of the World Scout Committee on his part reminded the Scouts that they’re not just Scouts in their local groups but are members of a global movement and family united by shared values.

He noted that in over 47 countries in Africa, the Scout movement continues to successfully undertake community development projects in different areas like: environmental conservation, food production, health and hygiene, literacy programmes and has directly contributed to the improvement of the living conditions of millions of people.

As an agent of development, Scouting constitutes a social force for good at local, national, and international levels. Working together with our partners, both public and private, Scouting responds to the needs of the society and actively contributes to sustainable development.
Africa Scout Day celebrations at the Univeristy of Nairobi on 11 March 2023
Jo Deman
Vice Chairperson, World Scout Committee

He challenged the Scouts to think about how they can use their skills and passions to create change in their communities and in the world. He further highlighted World Scouting’s Scouts for SDGs mobilization and invited African young people to join others around the world in transforming their communities by taking action for peace and sustainability.

Other guests who spoke at the event included Rashid Mchatta the Chief Scout of Tanzania, Coline Garnier the International Commissioner for the Scout et Guides de France, Antony Gitonga the International Commissioner of Kenya and Alice Kihungi the Deputy Chief Commissioner and Zack Kinuthia from the World Scout Parliamentary Union Kenya Chapter who announced that they will be hosting the 1st WSPU Africa Assembly from 21-24 June 2023 in Nyeri as part of their preparations to host the global WSPU General Assembly in 2025.

Following this event, Scouts now shift focus to the upcoming 1st Africa Rover Moot to be held again in Kenya from 15-25 April 2023 ahead of the 23rd World Scout Jamboree taking place in Korea from 1-12 August 2023.

Next year’s Africa Scout Day celebrations will be held in Burundi in March 2024 followed by the 9th Africa Scout Jamboree in the same country later in the same year.