For youth delegates in the Solomon Islands, attending the 14th World Scout Youth Forum is a double first. It’s their first Youth Forum, and together with over 700 participants around the world they are connecting virtually for the first time.
The Solomon Islands Scout Association is the newest Member Organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement having joined in June 2021. The Association, comprised of 500 Scout members and 50 Scout Leaders from across the Provinces of the Solomon Islands, is working to create opportunities for young people to experience Scouting’s transformative educational programme and learn skills for life.
“Being a ‘first time participant’ of the World Scout Youth Forum is quite challenging in spite of all the fun it has to offer,” said Adrian Obadiah, Head of Delegation for the Solomon Island Scouts. With the 11-hour time difference, youth delegates stay awake late to join the event’s plenary and breakout sessions. “All in all, this event really helps our team to adventure into learning new technologies, exposure, to get to know other Scouts, brothers and sisters in other member countries,” he adds.
Overcoming the issues of Internet connectivity and language differences, delegate Prudence Habu reflected on her experience during the event. “This 14th World Scout Youth Forum is the first in which Solomon Islands gets to participate. It is an opportunity that we are enjoying as we meet new friends online and able to reach out to young Scout Leaders of the world. Not only that, the sessions are educational but also help to improve our technical experiences. We expect each other in the team to acquire sufficient leadership knowledge and skills to support scouting in the Solomon Islands.”
These young leaders are part of the bright future of Scouting in the Solomon Islands which aims to grow over the next few years to reach 3,000 members by 2025.
