Scouting does not exist in isolation; as part of the community (local, regional national, European and world) Scouting works in partnership, with individuals and organisations to empower young people’s positive contribution. European Scouting together with a number of MEPs, has established an informal collegial network within the European Parliament of those with an interest in the issues of greatest concern to young people in Europe.

The European Union in the Lisbon Strategy committed to making Europe the leading knowledge based economy by 2010 – will that be achieved? In 2005 four member states initiated the European Youth Pact, an attempt to re-invigorate the Lisbon Strategy through: increased employment, integration and social advancement; education, training and mobility; and the reconciliation of working and family life. Scouting is at the forefront of this skills enhancement, and so the launch of the first Scouting Report is a good opportunity to question how we can support and enhance the employability of young people – to fuel the engine of European social and economic vitality.

“Young people in Europe are the engine of social and economic vitality, the Youth Pact correctly recognises that they do not need to be protected or shielded, but they need to be empowered and their strengths recognised.” said Lidija Pozaić Frketić, Chairperson of the WOSM-European Region. She went on, “Scouting not only empowers young people, it nurtures involvement, responsibility, decision-making, leadership; skills that benefit employment and citizenship.”

“The first World Scouting Report reveals that hundreds of thousands of young people across Europe are engaged in activities that benefit their communities and enhance their skills – non-formal education, volunteerism abound.” EU Commissioner, Ján Figeľ said.

The mission of Scouting is to empower young people through a programme, a method, of non-formal education to build a better world where they are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in their community, in society – Scouting is fun with a purpose. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) includes 28 million members, and operates through a network of local groups supported by national Scout organisations in 215 countries and territories. The WOSM-European Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement involves 1.2 million young people in 40 countries.