WSPU
The World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU) is an international organisation that unites the National Scout Parliamentary Associations (NSPAs) which exist in almost 100 countries world-wide and their members are Members of national Parliaments, Deputies or Senators. Its object is to strengthen National Scout Organisations and World Scouting through the influence of parliamentarians who believe that Scouting is an effective educational method.
Each NSPA decides independently on the membership and organizational form of a given NSPA. In some countries this structure is formalized; in others it is quite casual; some even include members of Regional Parliaments. In all cases, however, a fundamental principle of balanced political representation must be - and is - ensured: an NSPA's membership scheme should never be in favour of one party.
The catalyst for the creation of WSPU was the opportunity to use the untapped support that existed in parliaments and governments for World Scouting. WSPU also allowed the participating Parliamentarians to broaden their perspective on Scouting and realize its full potential. As a result, WSPU is an important tool that allows World Scouting to inform Parliamentarians of Scouting's current agenda. When Parliamentarians return to their home countries, they are better equipped to draft youth policies that are beneficial to the youth movement in general and Scouting in particular. Furthermore, as a consequence of WSPU, awareness of Scouting's involvement in issues like peace, environment and health, has increased not only on a national level but a global one as well.
