Scouting and the United Nations call upon the youth of the world

Rome, 22 April 2005 – Today, in the prestigious surroundings of Rome’s Capitol, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations’ Millennium Campaign. The agreement establishes a programme between World Scouting and the United Nations aimed at helping young people to become more aware of development issues. On the same occasion, WOSM officially launched its “Youth of the World” campaign.

Recognizing that “World Scouting has a global responsibility to help meet human development challenges through grass-roots action”, Marie-Louise Correa, Chairman of the World Scout Committee, opened the signing ceremony in the presence of His Majesty, King Carl Gustav of Sweden, Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, and Mr. Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome. The Chairman reminded those present that “the main challenge is to ensure that globalization is positive and just. As Scouts or as adult volunteers in the Scout Movement, we are all capable of responding to this appeal in our communities”.

The United Nations was represented by Ms. Eveline Herfkens, Executive Coordinator of the Millenium Campaign, who pointed out that “Scouts are trying to make the impossible possible, while it is often impossible to make the possible possible”. Dr. Eduardo Missoni, WOSM’s Secretary General, co-signed the agreement, and offered a special medallion, “Bulgari for Scouting”, to the Mayor.

Note to the editors

• WOSM has 28 million members, young people and adults, worldwide. Scouting is an international movement that operates at local level through groups of young people and adult volunteers, who are supported and coordinated by their national organization. Scouting is active in some 215 countries and territories where it develops educational programmes that help meet the social needs and aspirations of young people. Working in partnership with the United Nations and other global and local agencies, Scouting is committed to – and takes action to support – peace and sustainable development. It will celebrate its centenary in 2007.
• The World Scout Bureau, which has been based in Geneva since 1969, is the executive secretariat of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). WOSM has enjoyed consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council since 1947.
• WOSM has just launched the “Youth of the World” campaign aimed at helping young people aged 15 to 26 to become more aware of development issues. A dedicated web site can be found at: www.youthoftheworld.net

(source :www.youthoftheworld.net )

Millennium Development Goals (Scout is also a part to it………..)

The Millennium Development Goals commit the international community to an expanded vision of development, one that vigorously promotes human development as the key to sustaining social and economic progress in all countries, and recognizes the importance of creating a global partnership for development. The goals have been commonly accepted as a framework for measuring development progress.

1* In order to encourage national governments to take action, the Secretary General of the United Nations launched the Millennium Development Goals. Kofi Annan stated clearly: “Progress must be made on a much broader front, otherwise the ringing words of the Declaration will serve only as grim reminders of the human needs neglected and promises unmet”.

2* He proposed to achieve eight “Millennium Development Goals”:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and
4. empower women Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV-aids, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

1*-MDGs website http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/