Delegates opened the final day of the 43rd World Scout Conference with a morning of reflection, inspiration, and forward thinking. Special moments of celebration were also marked for exceptional Scouts who have demonstrated their remarkable dedication and commitment to the Scout Movement.
Tanzania Scout Association, the Palestinian Scout Association, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Ring Deutscher Pfadfinder*innenverbände, and Scouting America received the prestigious Growth Award for their outstanding efforts to expand their membership and reach new communities. Meanwhile, the Kenya Scouts Association, Palestinian Scout Association, Bhutan Scout Association, Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtenstein, and Barbados Boy Scouts Association were honoured in the Largest Market Share category.
The first-ever Intergenerational Leadership Award was presented to Member Organizations for successfully integrating youth and adult leadership, creating a model for broader collaborative efforts. Recipients included the Rwanda Scouts Association, The Guides and Scouts of Finland, The Bharat Scouts and Guides (India), the Ring Deutscher Pfadfinder*innenverbände, The Scout Association of Belize, the Hungarian Scout Association, Movimiento Scout de Uruguay, Guides and Scouts of Sweden, Scouts de Argentina, the Association of Scouts of Montenegro, the Association des Scouts du Canada, the National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine, and the Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtenstein.
Additionally, a Centenary Diploma was awarded to associations from Jordan, Korea, Madagascar, Monaco, Portugal, Suriname, and France, celebrating their 100 years of contribution to Scouting.
Bronze Wolf awarded to exceptional Scouts
Other honours included the Bronze Wolf Awards, the highest recognition given by World Scouting, which was presented to Peter Blatch, a former member of the World Scout Committee; Craig Turpie, former chairman of the World Scout Committee; Máire Fitzgerald, Youth Advisor to the World Scout Committee; Saâd Zian, Director of Adult in Scouting and Volunteer Development at the World Scout Bureau; Héctor Robledo Cervantes, Chairperson of the World Scout Foundation; Armando A. Aguirre, Vice Chairperson of the Interamerican Scout Committee; James “Jim” Kastelic, member of the Board of Directors of the Africa Scout Foundation; and Margaret “Maggie” Blick Kigozi, former Chairperson of the Africa Scout Foundation.
Advocating human rights
Earlier in the day, delegates gathered for a keynote speech delivered by Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait. Following the address, Sherif took part in a roundtable discussion with Marta Mederos, European Scout Region External Representative, and Olha Dybkaliuk, Global Youth Representative. Sherif highlighted the importance of the UN Charter and the Declaration of Human Rights, reinforcing the need for a shared value system that transcends individual perspectives.
“Politics is when you make your bed every morning. Politics is how you behave in school,” she remarked, urging everyone to embrace ethical behaviour grounded in universal values,” she said.
A new chapter for Scouting’s leadership
The day concluded with a heartfelt closing ceremony, where outgoing World Scout Committee Chairman Andy Chapman and other Committee members were honoured for their service. Youth Advisors were recognised for their crucial role in amplifying young voices within the Movement, a moving event that was followed by the ceremonial passing of purple World Scouting scarves to the new World Scout Committee members, symbolising the transition of leadership and the beginning of a new chapter for the Movement.
Daniël Corsen, the newly–elected World Scout Committee Chairperson for 2024-2027, then addressed the Conference with a powerful message of commitment and action.
“With a new Vision and Strategy for Scouting as our roadmap, we will make sure to transform the decisions taken at this Conference into concrete actions and outcomes that will lead to more impact for you as NSOs and for all young people, everywhere,” Corsen said, emphasising the importance of making Scouting safer, championing youth-led climate action, fostering growth, and expanding partnerships to deepen the movement’s impact globally.
The Conference ended on a high note with special recognition of the Egyptian Scouts for their exceptional hosting of the 43rd World Scout Conference. The World Scouting flag was handed over to The Scout Association, the host of the 44th World Scout Conference in 2027. Amal Ridene, the Chairperson of the Conference, delivered final words of gratitude and encouragement, bringing the event to a close with a spirit of unity and hope for the future of Scouting.
