Leaders from National Scout Organizations Convene in Nairobi for the 18th Africa Scout Conference

Nairobi, Kenya: The 18th Africa Scout Conference opened today at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi, Kenya with more than 200 Scout Leaders from across the Africa Scout Region and beyond. The four-day event convened every three years to shape the policy and strategy of the region ends on 28th August 2022.

Under the theme “Shaping Connected Future,” participants will come together make to key decisions about the future direction of the Scout Movement in Africa, network with partner organisations, and share experiences with each other.

Over the next four days, delegates will look back at the achievements of the 2018-2021 triennium, and how Scouting continues to be a positive force for good in Africa by equipping young people with the skills to serve their communities and reach their fullest potential.

Throughout the event, delegations will discuss proposed Draft Resolutions and a Constitutional Amendments, select the Hosts for upcoming Africa Scout Events, and elect 4 new Voting Members to the Africa Scout Committee to serve during the 2022-2025 triennium. This process will be supported by an innovative e-voting system and protocol for participants to be actively involved in these decisions, and to ensure adherence to the highest standards of ethics, accountability, and transparency during the event.

The Conference follows the 9th Africa Scout Youth Forum that concluded on 23 August and brought together over 40 young participants to take part in key decisions, develop a Youth Forum Declaration and vote on resolutions to be considered by Member Organizations during the Africa Scout Conference.

As with all Scouting events, the health and safety of participants is a top priority. Strict safeguarding measures have been put in place for the event, including mandatory Safe from Harm courses, listening ears, and a dedicated team available throughout the event to respond to any safety concerns.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, the Chief Guest Zainab Hawa Bangoura the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, while appreciating the role of the Scout Movement in value-based education said, “Even though the work of ensuring peace and prosperity for all is a shared responsibility, it must start with the individual. We each have a responsibility to instil these human ideals in our children and youth. The work of the World Scout Movement is an essential contribution to this. Your mentorship and investment in generations of young people is moulding them into the leaders the world desperately needs.”

Other key guests present at the conference included Andy Chapman the Chairperson of the World Scout Committee, Ahmad Alhendawi the Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Victor Atipaga the Chairperson of the Africa Scout Committee, Frederic Kama-Kama the Africa Regional Director of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Prof. Maggie Kigozi the Chairperson of the Africa Scout Foundation and Ahmed Bening the Secretary-General of the Pan-African Youth Union. Partners the Scout Movement such as UNICEF, Africa for SDGs, Institute for Economics and Peace, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation among others.

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The Africa Scout Conference is the governing organ of the Africa Scout Region. It takes place every three years and formulates the general policy of the region through resolutions. It elects members of the Africa Scout Committee. Visit https://africa.scoutconference.org for more information and news.

For media enquiries contact:

Nelson Opany

Senior Manager, Communications and Partnerships – World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre

Telephone: +254 20 245 0985 | +254 728 496553 | +254 726 951296

Email: africaconference@scout.org | nopany@scout.org