Scouts unite for peace in Ukraine

Helping every person, in every circumstance, is part of what we do as Scouts. Since the war in Ukraine began, Scouts from all over have reached out to support their peers and help with the humanitarian response.

World Scouting immediately launched a crowdfunding initiative - raising over $400,000 in five weeks from Scout groups and supporters - while Scouts in neighbouring countries arranged emergency aid for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

The National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine (NOSU), along with Scouts in the region, have shown exemplary leadership and solidarity. Even Scouts as far away as Chile and the Philippines have extended their kindness and support to friends from Ukraine.

Here are some ways Scouts have helped from far away:

 

1. International friendship

• United States of America: Irina, a Ukrainian Scout, met Lucian, an American Scout at a Scout camp with Boy Scouts of America  in California. They kept in touch for five years since! When the war broke out, Irina lived alone in Kyiv, and within a week and a half Troop 319 managed to find her transportation to Poland and accommodations on arrival. In an interview with Scouting Magazine, Mike Timm, assistant Scoutmaster, said:

“It all started with the notion of 'Do Your Best.' We have a friend in a war zone halfway across the world. Can we help her? Yes, we can — or at least we can try. That’s what Scouting is all about. Being there to help.”

• Ireland: Irish Scouts waived membership fees for refugees to join Scouting - a powerful way to help young people feel welcome in their new community! They said:

"Our doors are open to any Ukrainian families who have recently moved to Cork and would like to make new friends and have some fun, despite the difficult circumstances."

 

• United Kingdom: Glasgow Disabled Scouts shared updates about their "amazing" young Ukrainian friends who joined them as camp volunteers in Scotland in recent years, forming strong connections.
  
   
• International: Messages poured in from supporters like Chief Ambassador Bear Grylls and National Scout Organizations in France, Brazil, Spain, Chile, Portugal, the Philippines, Denmark, Germany, Japan and more.
  
   

2. Peaceful demonstrations

• Italy: Scouts across Italy participated in candlelit vigils and peaceful demonstrations. In Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, for example, Scouts participated in a large-scale candlelit procession for peace.
  
   
• Germany: Young people of the international working group of the Bund der Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder - a German Scout Association - took to social media to express solidarity with Ukraine, writing:

"As a working group, we have made it our task to intensify and promote this friendship between Scouts worldwide. (…) our 9th Scout Rule says: 'I want to serve peace and work for the community in which I live.'"

• Sweden: Hundreds of Scouts marched in Malmö to show that “we are a peace movement, with friends all over the world.”

3. Solidarity through art

• Portugal: Along with this digital artwork, Portuguese Scouts wrote:

"Solidarity with people who did not ask for war, empathy with families who lost their own (…), with the certainty that our people, within their means, will do everything to help."

 

• Romania: Nicu Romaniuc, a Romanian Scout, shared a song to spread a message of peace. Bianca Ilaia Pîrvulescu, a Messengers of Peace Hero from Romania, wrote about the impact of the crisis in Ukraine and said:

"Let’s listen, be more understanding and contribute together to bring peace and dialogue to our communities!"

• Mexico: Mexican musician and Scout Javier Paniagua composed an instrumental song called ‘Ukraine’ to honour the victims of the conflict. Since Javier wanted to help support Ukrainian children affected by conflict, all the royalties generated via streaming platforms will be donated - so listen now on Spotify!
  
   

4. Fundraising and donations

• Greece: Coordinating with local groups to collect and distribute supplies for refugees can be helpful. Scouts in Ermionida worked with the municipality to collect and distribute food and basic necessities for victims of the war in their area.
  
   
• Japan: One of the best ways to help during a humanitarian crisis is to make a monetary donation. A great example of this comes from the Scout Association of Japan, who donated to WOSM’s crowdfunding campaign with contributions from Scouts and supporters. They said: "Together with our 57 million peers around the world, we will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in crisis."
  
   
• United Kingdom: A Scout Group in England raised over £1000 ($1,300) by selling cakes, while Scouts in Southampton partnered with the a Polish Club to collect, sort and pack a sports hall full of supplies for refugees. In Scotland, Balfron Beaver Scouts raised money for UNICEF by planting sunflowers.

5. Youth Education and Support

• Czechia: As the world’s leading youth education movement, Scouting provides an opportunity to help support and educate young people during times of crisis. Scouts in Czechia partnered with national organisations to offer psychological support to parents and children, and developed a guide on ‘How to talk to children about war’, which is now available in nine languages and has been adapted for all situations of conflict and war.
  
   
• Finland: Another great example of helping young people and their supporters understand trauma and emotional well-being are the Finnish Scouts (Suomen Partiolaiset), who shared tips for adults and ideas on how Scouts can take action. They remind us that:

"Scouting is a global peace movement. According to the Scout uniform, we are committed to building a better world. Our most important task is to make peace through education."

 

• United Kingdom: In partnership with Save the Children UK, The Scout Association put together a helpful list of resources and Scout activities, which can help Scouts build empathy with refugees.

In times of crisis, there are many ways to help people near and far. We can always count on Scouts to be there for their brothers and sisters!

Be prepared:

• Learn how you can help from anywhere during a humanitarian crisis
  
   
• Tell us how you are helping your community at sdgs.scout.org
  
   
• Donate to support humanitarian relief for Ukraine at bit.ly/scoutsukraine