World Health Day: Invest in health, build a safer future.
World Scouting’s ventures with WHO encompass a wide variety of health issues and are carried out all over the world. These actions are supported by the consultative status granted to World Scouting by the WHO in 1987 and also by the Memorandum of Understanding on Leprosy, which was signed in 1997.
WHO’s definition of health complements World Scouting’s holistic view of child development, and the two Organizations are currently working more specifically on joint health projects that focus on issues like noncommunicable diseases and mental health; water and sanitation; and adolescent health and development. The WHO/World Scouting project ‘Youth for Youth’ for example, was designed to address the health problems affecting young people in the Arab Region. Innovatively and effectively, the project involves young people by training Scout and Guide leaders as peer educators with the ability to deliver the programme to other young people. The issues identified and addressed include sexual health (including STD and HIV/AIDS prevention), accident prevention and drug awareness.
Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-moon has expressed his sentiments about the importance of World Health Day as a time to take action: “Life and health are out most precious possessions. We have the knowledge and unprecendented resources to build a healthier, safer world.”
In addition, World Scouting’s exchanges with WHO are not limited to specific health projects. World Scouting has sent representatives to WHO’s General Assembly and WHO will be present at the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, participating in the activities programme.
Visit the World Health Day 2007 website for more
