Background

In October 2023 the European Scout Region expanded its geographical boundaries to include the countries of Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaidjan, Armenia, Belarus and Ukraine, by decision of the World Scout Committee. This decision came as a result of a process started at the request of a few of the Member Organisations themselves, considering the many changes in the region from the moment it was founded. In the process leading upto the decision, young people, the leadership and volunteers of Member Organisations in the former Eurasia Region were involved and/or consulted, together with regional volunteers and staff, world committee members and staff, and last but not least, the regions of Europe and Asia-Pacific through Committee members and staff. 

Personal experience in the process

As a representative of the European Scout Committee in the Contact Group set up by the World Scout Committee, I worked closely with Radu Stinghe to analyse and have constructive dialogue with all those involved, so that both the perspective of the regional committee is taken into account in discussions, but also, to bring back to the regional committee the challenges identified and envision together a path forward. We had many moments of consultations with all parties involved until clarity was reached on a variety of different topics, (there was time allocated for discussions and updates on the process at each Committee meeting this triennium). 

 The process involved challenging as well as rewarding moments, from exploring all the different aspects that such a process of transition from one structure to a new, different one entails (financial, cultural, organisational, from a language, institutional and constitutional perspective, but also what it means for a world organisation to phase out a region and what it means to welcome 6 new countries to a region that has such a vast diversity). For me, personally, even though the process was scary in the beginning as it was a very new and complex challenge, it brought on the most amazing conversations that one could have at the beginning of a triennium together with a new team, like “How can we maintain the unity of the region?”, “How can we support the young people in the movement, regardless of the region they belong to?” “How can we support organisations in an equitable way and what is it that is most important form of support for them?” “How do we ensure the work done before is continued?” or "What should be done differently?". The part I will remember most are the thought-provoking discussions in the committee meetings, when we had the opportunity to shape our common vision and plan, but also explore the parts where we see things differently. I truly believe these processes are formative for the team, and they have helped us get to know each other better.

Priorities for the current work

Together with Wouter and Radu, we joined a newly-established structure of Advisory Board where we, together with a group of skilled and diverse volunteers, keep an eye on the journey the Member organisations are going through in these first years in the Region, whilst having in mind a few priorities: that these organisations have strong foundations in Youth Programme, Adults in Scouting, Good Governance and Safe from Harm, that they are committed to the development of their organisations, with the support of the region, that they form partnerships and start to benefit from peer-to-peer learning, and that they manage to participate in the life of the region, including but not limiting to regional events. 

Looking forward

The end goal is for our entire region to be able to benefit from the amazing diversity we have, both from an organisational point of view, and from a human perspective. The international dimension and the personal growth of all scouts is impacted when small and large organisations alike can sit at the same table and understand each other’s challenges, see the many similarities and understand the differences and why they are there (especially from a historic and geopolitical perspective) and make decisions together that benefit everyone. I also look forward to seeing more exchanges between scouts from all corners of the region, from Georgia, UK, Albania to Turkey,  and watch as their perspective on the world changes, one interaction at a time. 

Our impact increases the more we manage to embrace this diversity, go through the hard discussions regarding our differences, find the common ground and build partnerships where they didn’t exist before, for the sake of young people everywhere. The region is constantly evolving, and it is all of our jobs to ensure that we remember to support each other first and foremost.

So how can you support the process? Get to know our new members in the region, find out about the people, cultures and places you now have even more access to and be curious what new experiences you can offer young people from your organisations.  Curiosity and open-mindedness is always the first step! Making new friends is the second one. What is the third step for you?

The ideas presented in this article do not represent the official position of WOSM or the European Scout Committee.