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by Lydia Keating
From 28 December 2022 to 4 January 2023, the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) welcomed 29 Rover Scouts from around the world for International Rover Week, providing a week of learning, self-reflection, and international friendship under the unique backdrop of KISC’s Centenary celebration. There were Rovers from all six regions of WOSM, brought together by a passion for international Scouting and service to others.
Everyone shared the same desire to take the skills they learned at the International Rover Week back to their NSOs to improve their communities. Lydia Keating from 31st Waterford Faithlegg shared how she was inspired by meeting so many Scouts from different countries, and being reminded we are all on the same mission of creating a better world.
The theme of this year’s International Rover Week was Youth Advocacy Training, encouraging participants to explore how they can address global issues. Focusing on the topic areas of Human Rights & Peace Education, and Sustainability, the Youth Advocacy Training provided participants with impactful sessions ranging from detailing World Scouting’s partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF to provide humanitarian aid to young people to discussions in peer groups for Scouts to share best practices and inspire each other to create a better world.
The main events of the International Rover Week included:
- An overview of trends in global challenges and issues facing young people: This presentation shared with participants the core challenges facing young people throughout the world and how they can help address these issues as part of WOSM initiatives such as Scouts for SDGs.
- Communications and Project Management Training: Participants learned about the fundamentals of leading projects to enable them to improve their communities and working with the media to improve Scouting’s external relations by amplifying the impact of their initiatives.
- A simulation of government negotiations: Playing the role of government ministers, participants learned about the challenges of implementing the solutions to the issues they identified through government action.
In addition to developing their advocacy skills, participants of this year’s International Rover Week joined us in celebrating the KISC Centenary, celebrating 100 years of BP’s dream of a place for young people to come together in peace. Participants joined in the festivities by serving as cultural ambassadors for their countries - sharing stories, songs, and dances.
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