The 43rd World Scout Conference concluded on August 23, concluding seven days of momentous decisions that will determine the direction of the Scout movement for years to come. The meeting was the first in-person World Conference in seven years and brought together over 1,600 participants and guests, with another 400 participants participating online.

Hosted by the Egyptian Federation of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides and supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, the event provided a platform for the leadership of national Scout organizations to agree on key strategic directions, including the adoption of key resolutions, an amendment to the WOSM Constitution, and the unanimous adoption of a new vision and strategy for Scouting.

This ambitious roadmap for the next decade, together with the priorities outlined in the World Triennial Plan for the triennium 2024-2027, will put the Scout Movement on a path to address pressing global issues such as sustainability, youth leadership and peace education, and ensure that Scouting continues to have a positive impact on millions of young people and volunteers around the world.

“With a new vision, strategy and focus on the future, we can ensure that Scouting is stronger, more united, more sustainable and more youth-led for generations to come,” Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of World Scouting, told delegates. “As we look to the next decade, Scouting offers us a space to unite in a divided world. By embracing the values ​​of Scouting and living the Scout Promise, we can create the world we want, rather than accepting the world as it is.”

The early implementation of the strategy will be led by the newly elected World Scout Committee, a group of 12 Scout leaders elected by delegates to serve as the Governing Body for the 2024-2027 term. The committee also appointed its Chair and Vice-Chairs during the event.

In his first speech as the new Chair of the Committee, Daniël Corsen from Curaçao reiterated how participants had used the conference to raise their voices. He stressed that the Committee will implement the decisions made at the conference to make Scouting safer, support youth-led climate action, promote growth and provide more transformative learning experiences for young people and volunteers.

“In everything we do, we must listen and learn. We must keep in mind the aspirations, realities and needs of national Scout organizations and support you in delivering quality Scouting programs,” Corsen told a packed room on the final day of the event.

Joining the Scouts on stage were inspirational speakers and guests, including United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who spoke about the critical role of Scouts in addressing global challenges and described World Scouting as a cornerstone of youth leadership worldwide.