UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed highlights Scouts as key leaders in tackling global challenges, praises World Scouting's role in youth empowerment

The 43rd World Scout Conference has seen a remarkable engagement with global leaders, highlighted by a powerful keynote address from Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. In her speech to 2,000 Conference participants, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasised the critical role Scouts play in addressing global challenges, describing the World Scouting as a cornerstone of youth leadership worldwide.

“Scouts are the perfect example of young changemakers leading efforts to combat the world’s most pressing challenges. World Scouting is one of the most important youth movements in the world. You put youth empowerment at the centre, you encourage global solidarity in the face of our greatest challenges, and you work hard for your communities over the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs,” Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed said. 

“Above all, you are the flag bearers for the timeless values of responsibility, diversity, and being a force of positive change in the world,” she stated, emphasising the importance of the movement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Following her keynote speech, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed took part in a candid conversation with World Scouting’s Nour Mohammed and Youth Representative Melissa El Feghali where she shared insights on the urgency of building networks and the importance of human connectivity in an increasingly digital world.

“There’s a sense of urgency for many things to happen today but there’s no hurry to fail. It’s really important that you make the most of it, that you enjoy creating those networks, those relationships,” she said, encouraging young Scouts to remain focused on their passions.

“We have to create these spaces because the power of human interaction and connectivity is so important, it’s what allows us to move hearts and minds to get things done. It gives us courage when we least feel we have it.”

During her visit, Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed joined World Scouting leadership in a meeting with H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister for Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and H.E. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister for Youth and Sport of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The meeting focused on the need to unlock opportunities, resourcing and support for young leaders to be able to develop solutions to the challenges facing communities across the world.

In a high-level roundtable moderated by Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary-General of World Scouting, Amina joined other global leaders to discuss the future of younger generations. This roundtable was part of the ‘Unlock the Future Intergenerational Town-hall', in partnership with the UN Foundation, and served as a precursor to the UN Summit of the Future set for September 2024. The discussion focused on the demands of young generations for a sustainable future, the challenges they face in decision-making, and the opportunities available to them.

Kristýna Jelínková, Youth Representative of World Scouting, highlighted the significance of youth-led change during the roundtable. She pointed out how youth movements have influenced international policy, particularly in areas like climate change. "In World Scouting, it is the Earth Tribe initiative which equips millions of young people with the knowledge and skills to lead environmental action in their local communities, highlighting the global impact of youth-led initiatives," she said. 

The visit concluded with a discussion with young Scouts and leaders in the Scouts for SDG 'Souq' exhibition space. The tour was led by Andy Chapman, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee, and Cynthia Márquez, Director of Educational Initiatives at World Scouting.