Africa Scout Day Celebration Calls for Diversity, Engagement and Advocacy

Promoting International Friendships 

The Africa Scout Day International Camp attracted over 120 participants from five countries at Ecole Secondaire Technique in Kigobe. The participants took part in different training activities in the Scouts for SDGs, community service where they planted 367 trees at the Mwezi Gisabo Boulevard in Kigobe.

A cultural evening was also held to give participants a taste of Burundian culture and traditions through song and dance, dressing and food. Talented Scouts also got to showcase themselves through stage performances and dance to some live music.

The aim of the camp was to facilitate cultural exchange and promote international friendships among Scouts and to offer them an opportunity to learn and build skills for active global citizenship. 

Ms Ledet Yosef, Member of the Africa Scout Committee challenged young people to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new experiences and perspectives; to engage fully with the world around them and seek out opportunities to serve and lead with integrity and compassion; and to strive to elevate themselves and others working to build a brighter future for all. She also urged adult leaders to become mentors and role models and provide the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement for young people to embrace their unique identities, engage with their communities, and strive for excellence in all their endeavors. 

Raising Scouting’s Influence and Impact Through Advocacy 

31 young people from Burundi, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Ghana, and Uganda underwent a two-day training on Environmental Advocacy aimed at equipping them with knowledge, skills, and tools to become effective environmental advocates in their communities, with a special focus on combating plastic pollution. The training enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues and to learn how to advocate for positive change.

The training focused on helping the participants to learn, understand and practice, advocacy in general and environmental advocacy specifically, basics of environmental science and key environmental issues facing the world today, and to building skills for effective advocacy. At the end of the training participants were able to practice developing advocacy campaigns and make individual and collective commitments to advancing advocacy for the environment within their communities and countries. 

While recognizing the many inspiring things about Scouting in Africa and the incredible work and projects that Scouts are carrying out in service of their communities, Andy Chapman encouraged Scouts to think even bigger - about how they can use their skills and passion to make a difference, not just in their own backyard, but across the globe.

This training was an activity of the partnership between World Scouting and UN Environment to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders committed to protecting our planet for future generations and tackling plastic pollution through the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge.

Africa Scout Foundation Catalysing Opportunities for Young People

The Africa Scout Foundation, led by the Board Chairperson Ms Jemima Nartey, hosted members and ambassadors of the Foundation and friends of Scouting in Africa at a gathering to celebrate the progress and drum up more support for the Foundation. 

The gathering called for more support for the Foundation urging that there is an opportunity to mobilise friends, family members, colleagues, employers and others who believe in the transformative power of Scouting to make a contribution that will have a lasting impact.

With as little as 10 Dollars for junior category, 150 Dollars for individual category, 250 Dollars for Scout Association category and 1000 Dollars for Corporate Category one can become a member of the Africa Scout Foundation and contribute towards building a brighter and stronger future for current and future generations of young Scouts in the continent. Visit the Africa Scout Foundation website to learn more today. 

A gala dinner was also hosted to help mobilise funds to support Burundi Scouts Association with the hosting of the 9th Africa Scout Jamboree coming up in August 2024. Funds raised at the dinner will go towards supporting the Burundi Scouts Association in their efforts to ensure the hosting of a successful Jamboree that will be crucial in providing opportunities for the thousands of young participants to engage in meaningful activities that promote leadership and community service.

Welcome to the 9th Africa Scout Jamboree in August

After successful Africa Scout day celebrations, focus now shifts to full-scale planning for the 9th Africa Scout Jamboree. National Scout Organizations are encouraged to fastrack the nomination of their Heads of Contingents and registration of their participants aged 12 to 17 years for the opportunity to join others from around the world for bring together Scouts aged 12 to 17 years from across Africa and beyond for ten days of a range of activities promoting education, friendship, adventure, and cultural exchange.

Vist the Jamboree website and scout.org webpage for more information and guidance on how you can take part in this event, either as a participant or a member of the International Service Team.  

The celebrations were graced by the Minister of National Defense of Burundi Hon Alain Tribert Mutabazi as Chief Guest and in the presence of the Minister for Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism Marie Chantal Nijimbere, the Mayor of Bujumbura CP Jimmy Hatungimana, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee Andy Chapman, members of the Africa Scout Committee represented by Ledet Yosef and Albert Nyamwana, the Africa Regional Director of the World Organization of the Scout Movement Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama, and the Chief Commissioner of Burundi Scouts Association Philbert Ndayisaba among other leaders and Scouts. 

The next Africa Scout Day celebrations will be held in Madagascar in March 2025.