The Glocal Forum is an international non-profit organisation which promotes the role of local governments on the world stage and the role of youth in decision-making processes in their cities. The Glocal Forum pursues and promotes the "glocalisation" approach by empowering local communities and youth and encouraging global powers to have a broader respect for local powers and resources.

Scouting, based on the concept of learning by doing, is a non-formal educational movement which encourages the participation of young people in decision-making processes. It enables young people to become engaged, impassioned and autonomous local and global citizen.

World Scouting and the Glocal Forum therefore share this 'glocal' vision of the world, and are confident that the partnership will serve each organisation’s mission in important ways. In particular, the Glocal Youth Gathering 2008 will be the first in a worldwide biannual meeting of young people which will lead a series of related initiatives. As an ensemble, these initiatives are designed to empower youth to engage with their local governments in order to achieve the reform necessary for a more sustainable and peaceful future. They will achieve this goal ‘glocally’ – investing in world-class expertise and resources while giving voice to local realities and perspectives.

Minister Melandri received the proposal with great enthusiasm – stating “the idea is not just buona (good), but buonissima (very good)”! She was especially supportive of the initiative’s emphasis on empowering youth to participate concretely with the facilitation of putting discussion into practice. The staff of each organisation are now following up in order to finalise the Ministry’s role in the Glocal Youth Gathering as soon as possible. The Glocal Forum and WOSM’s joint preparations for GYG 2008 (expected to take place in Italy in early 2008) will begin in the new year.