Luc Panissod to head the World Scout Bureau

Geneva, 21 March 2009: At its first annual meeting, the World Scout Committee appointed Luc Panissod as Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Mr Panissod, who had been fulfilling this function on an interim basis since November 2007, will lead the World Scout Bureau, the international secretariat of the Scout Movement, based in Geneva.

On learning of his appointment, Luc Panissod stated: “I am very honoured by the trust that the World Committee has shown towards me and I am perfectly aware of the responsibilities entrusted to me. In order to carry out my mandate, I count on the support of the Committee as well as that of all volunteers and professionals at all levels of our Organization. My commitment is guided by Scouting’s values. My work will aim to bring about the changes needed for our Movement to be able to respond to the needs of young people and to face the challenges of the future.”

Born in 1949, Luc Panissod was recruited by World Scouting in 1982, after having worked in the private and public sectors in France and Switzerland. He has a degree in Economics and an MBA from the Sorbonne, and very soon became interested in promoting public and social causes.

From 1991 to 2007, Luc Panissod was Deputy Secretary General in charge of the General Management of the World Scout Bureau.

This session of the World Scout Committee also involved a strategic thinking exercise. Rick Cronk, Chairman of the World Scout Committee, concluded the session by stating: “National Scout Organizations are asking us for inspired leadership that is focused on results. They are asking us to lead the way”.

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Note to editors

Scouting’s mission is to educate young people to play an active role in society.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement has 28 million members around the world (young people and adult leaders). Scouting operates at local level through action undertaken by groups of young people and adult volunteers who are supported and coordinated by their national organizations. It is operational in 160 countries in which it develops programmes to respond to the social needs of young people.
The World Scout Committee is composed of 12 members elected for a three-year term by the World Scout Conference, and of six ex-officio members, who are Chairmen elected by regional conferences.
The World Scout Bureau has been based in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1969, and is the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). WOSM has had consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1947.

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