ROGRAM

U TH P M
YO E

GUIDELINES FOR ORGANISING

SCOUT YOUTH FORUMS
 World Organization
of the Scout Movement
Organisation Mondiale
du Mouvement Scout

STRATEGY
S
THIS DOCUMENT IS A
PART OF THE IMPLEMEN-
TATION OF THE STRATEGY

© Copyright 1997, World Scout

Bureau.
Reproduction is authorized to national
Scout associations which are members
of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement. Others should request
permission from publishers.

World Scout Bureau

P.O. Box 241,
1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
worldbureau@world.scout.org
http://www.scout.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION page 1

2. INVOLVING YOUNG MEMBERS IN DECISION-MAKING page 2

2.1 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES page 2
2.2 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND WOSM POLICIES page 2
2.3 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS page 4

3. WHAT IS A SCOUT YOUTH FORUM? page 5

3.1 DEFINITION OF A SCOUT YOUTH FORUM page 5
3.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF A YOUTH FORUM page 5
3.3 YOUTH FORUMS AND OTHER YOUTH GATHERINGS page 6

4. PROGRAMME OF THE FORUM page 7

4.1 THEME page 7
4.2 SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION page 7
4.3 AGENDA page 7
4.4 WORKING METHODS page 8

5. PARTICIPANTS page 9
5.1 DELEGATES AND OBSERVERS page 9
5.2 OTHER “PARTICIPANTS” page 9
5.3 AGE RANGE page 9
5.4 SELECTION page 10
5.5 SUPPORT page 10
6. ORGANISATION page 11
6.1 GENERAL page 11
6.2 PLANNING COMMITTEE page 11
6.3 STEERING COMMITTEE page 12
6.4 CHAIRPERSON’S FUNCTION page 13
6.5 VICE-CHAIRPERSONS’ FUNCTIONS page 13
6.6 GENERAL RAPPORTEUR’S FUNCTIONS page 13
6.7 ADULT SUPPORT page 14

7. RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORT page 15

7.1 RECOMMENDATIONS page 15
7.2 REPORT page 15

8. OTHER ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS page 16

9. RULES OF PROCEDURE page 17

POSTSCRIPT page 19

APPENDIX 1: POLICY ON INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG MEMBERS IN DECISION-MAKING page 2O

1. INTRODUCTION The 33rd World Scout Conference, meeting in
Bangkok, Thailand, in 1993, adopted a
resolution which encourages National Scout
Associations to organise Youth Forums at
national and local levels in conjunction with
statutory meetings such as general assemblies.

This booklet is intended to help National Scout

Associations implement that resolution. The
booklet focuses on the organisation of a Scout
Youth Forum at national level; its contents can,
however, be adapted to suit situations where
Youth Forums are being organised at other
levels of the Movement (for example, at local
level within a National Scout Association or at
Regional level).

The contents of the booklet are based in part

on the guidelines for organising World Scout
Youth Forums, which may provide inspiration
and be adapted for national Forums, and on
the authors’ experiences in planning,
organising and supporting Youth Forums at
various levels of the Movement.

Comments on the text, especially based on

experiences gained in organising Scout Youth
Forums, will be welcomed by the Programme
Service of the World Scout Bureau. In this way,
the booklet can be kept up-to-date, and new
and creative ideas can be shared.

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 1

 2. INVOLVING YOUNG 2.1 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
MEMBERS IN DECISION- The purpose of the Scout Movement is to
contribute to the development of young
MAKING people in achieving their full physical,
intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as
individuals, as responsible citizens and as
members of their local, national and
international communities.
Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement, Article I
The Scout Movement is based on certain
principles, including:
Duty to others
...
– participation in the development of
society with recognition and respect for the
dignity of one’s fellow-man and for the
integrity of the natural world.
… National Scout Associations and Regions to
Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement, Article II
As can be seen from the above extracts from
the Constitution of the World Organization of
the Scout Movement, the aim and principles
of Scouting include specific references to
developing young people as responsible
citizens through active participation in the
development of society. The idea of
participation is one that the Founder, Lord
Baden-Powell, laid as a cornerstone of the
Scout method. Baden-Powell did not, of course,
use words such as participation or
involvement, which were not part of the current
language usage at the beginning of the
twentieth century, but used words such as self-
government and self-education. The Scout
method is still today referred to as a system of
progressive self-education.
2.2 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND WOSM
POLICIES
Over the past 30 years, the World Scout
Conference has addressed various aspects of
participation of young members in decision-
making. In 1969 the Conference encouraged
arrange youth conferences and youth forums.
This was to encourage increased boy
participation (Scouting was not at that time
open to girls) in the decision-making process
of the Movement.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 2
In 1993 the World Conference adopted a policy
on the involvement of young members in
decision-making (see Appendix 1). A basic
principle of this policy is that Scouting is a
Movement of young people, supported by
adults; it is not just a Movement for young
people managed only by adults. Thus, Scouting
offers the potential for a learning community
of young people and adults, working together
in a partnership of enthusiasm and experience.
This basic principle should be reflected both
in the Youth Programme of a National Scout
Association and in the management structures
of the organisation.
The same World Conference also adopted a
resolution on Youth Forums, which provide
an opportunity for young people to develop
the necessary practical skills to enable them
to take part more effectively in decision-making
activities and undertake leadership roles within
and outside the Movement:
• recommends that Youth Forums be
YOUTH FORUMS
The Conference
– considering the adoption of the
Policy on Involvement of Young
Members in Decision-Making by
this Conference
– believing that Youth Forums
constitute one useful method to
complement genuine
participation by young people in
decision-making at all levels
– recognising that Youth Forums in
Scouting provide a dual
opportunity for young members
to discuss issues of interest to
them and to make
recommendations on these; and
to learn the skills necessary to
enable them to take part in
decision-making in the
Movement
– believing that Youth Forums
should be linked closely, as
advisory bodies, to the formal
decision-making processes of the
Movement
held in conjunction with all statutory
meetings such as national general
assemblies, regional and world
conferences; that these Youth Forums
make recommendations to and advise
the statutory meetings and other
decision-making bodies; and that
Youth Forum delegates also participate
in these statutory meetings as delegates
or observers
• recommends that delegates to Youth
Forums should be selected by
democratic means and receive
necessary logistical and material
support from their association
• resolves that future World Youth
Forums should be held immediately
prior to each future World Scout
Conference and that delegates to these
events should be between the ages of 18
and 26
• directs the World Committee to
establish as soon as possible the
necessary procedures and guidelines
for future World Youth Forums
• recommends that World Youth Forums
should be organised on the same basis
as World Scout Conferences, with the
World Committee ultimately
responsible for agenda and procedures
of the World Youth Forum and with a
Host Committee responsible for
facilities and support services
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 3
• encourages the World Committee and
the Host Committee to delegate to
young members the planning,
organising and running of such events
• directs the World Committee to devote
the necessary human, financial and
material resources, similar to those
accorded to other world events such as
World Conferences, to ensure the
success of future World Youth Forums
• requests the five Regional Scout
Committees to organise Regional Youth
Forums prior to each future Regional
Scout Conference, beginning with
Regional Conferences in 1995, along
the same lines as World Youth Forums
• encourages National Scout Associations
to organise Youth Forums along
similar lines in conjunction with
statutory meetings (for example,
general assemblies) at national and
local levels.
Thus, Scout Youth Forums constitute one
approach among many towards implementing
the policy on involvement of young members
in decision-making adopted by the 33rd World
Scout Conference in 1993.
2.3 YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN NATIONAL
ASSOCIATIONS
In implementing these policies and resolutions,
National Scout Associations should establish
their own specific national policies and
practices to ensure the participation of young
members in decision-making. These policies
and practices may include, for example:
• the involvement of young adults in the
process of Youth Programme design and
development;
• the organisation of Scout Youth Forums
for the expression of views, formulation
of recommendations and for training
young members in practical skills of
decision-making and leadership;
• the presence of significant numbers of
young adults on decision-making bodies
of the association and in delegations to
Regional and World Scout Conferences;
• the creation of a Youth Committee or
similar body to represent the views of
young members;
• representation of young adults on
standing committees of the association,
such as the National Programme
Committee, Adult Resources Committee
or Public Relations Committee.
In taking any steps to increase the involvement
of young people in decision-making within a
National Scout Association, it is important to
guard against the danger of “tokenism”. For
example, appointing one or two young people
to be members of a committee is not, in itself,
likely to lead to much change; such a step
needs to be accompanied by a clear
commitment on the part of the other existing
committee members to listen to and respect
the views expressed by the new members and
to be open to fresh ideas.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 4
3. WHAT IS A SCOUT 3.1 DEFINITION OF A SCOUT YOUTH FORUM
According to the Resolution on Youth Forums
YOUTH FORUM? adopted by the 33rd World Scout Conference,
quoted above, Youth Forums:
• complement genuine participation by
young people in decision-making;
• provide an opportunity for young
members to discuss issues of interest to
them and to make recommendations on
these;
• also provide an opportunity for young
members to learn the skills necessary to
enable them to take part in decision-
making in the Movement;
• should advise the formal decision-
making bodies of the Movement.
Thus, Youth Forums are not, in themselves,
decision-making bodies; they provide young
people with opportunities to discuss and share
their ideas and views, and also learn the skills
needed to take a real part in decision-making,
both within their own Scout units and within
the management structures of their association.
In designing the concept of a Youth Forum,
and when preparing its agenda and procedures
– and more particularly when planning how it
will be brought to a closure and its
recommendations handled afterwards – be
conscious of the dangers inherent in
inadvertently creating a “parallel” structure: a
body that may take on a life of its own and
may try to maintain itself alongside the
established decision-making structures of the
association. A Forum like that can quickly
become, or be perceived as, a “lobby group”
within the association – a situation which can
result in the development of negative attitudes
towards the Forum and a step backwards in
empowering young people to take an active
role in decision-making within their Movement.
3.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF A YOUTH FORUM
The main characteristics of a Youth Forum are:
• it is a gathering of young people with
different Scout backgrounds, coming
from the different community groups
represented within the National Scout
Association;
• the participants are, ideally, chosen
democratically by other young people
and mandated by the Scout council of
whichever level of the association they
represent;
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 5
• the event is organised and conducted
by the young people themselves.

3.3 YOUTH FORUMS AND OTHER YOUTH

GATHERINGS
Although there are many similarities between
Youth Forums and other types of youth
gatherings, they should not be confused with
each other. Some other kinds of youth
gatherings include:

• youth councils (for example, the pack

council or troop council) where youth
members make decisions on behalf of
the pack or troop principally on matters
directly affecting their programme;

• youth workshops (often held, for

example, during a Jamboree or Moot)
where young people share ideas on
subjects of interest to them and acquire
better knowledge, skills or attitudes
related to these subjects.

Some of the ideas contained in this booklet

may of course be helpful in organising these
kinds of youth gatherings.

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 6

4. PROGRAMME OF 4.1 THEME
It may be useful to adopt a theme for the Youth
THE FORUM Forum. A good theme will help give a focus
and a coherence to the Forum’s deliberations.
If the statutory meeting to which the Youth
Forum is linked has a theme, it may help
strengthen the links between the two events
to have a common theme. The theme should
in any case be closely related to the subjects
to be discussed during the Forum, and not be
simply an “empty” slogan that carries no
substantive meaning.
4.2 SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION
The major topics for discussion will need to
be selected well in advance of the Forum.
These may be the same subjects that will be
discussed at the statutory meeting to which
the Youth Forum is linked, or they may be
different topics. The participants themselves
should be invited to propose suitable major
topics to discuss. One approach is to ask them
to list the five most important issues facing
them as individuals and another five as the
most important issues facing Scouting or their
community. The subjects for discussion will
be selected from their responses.
Forum participants should be informed as early
as possible of the subjects that will be on the
Forum agenda. This will give the participants
time to discuss the subjects locally with other
young people, thus enabling them to properly
represent the views of others.
The agenda should also allow some topics to
be introduced at short notice.
4.3 AGENDA
The agenda for the Scout Youth Forum will
need to be flexible but should include the
following elements:
At the beginning...
• Welcome to the Youth Forum
• Introduction of the Youth Forum
participants
• Activity or game to help participants get
to know each other
• Outline of the Youth Forum theme, major
subjects for discussion and working
methods
• Additions to the agenda and agreement
on it
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 7
• Election of chairperson and other office
bearers
• Formation of work groups/teams
• Selection of team leaders by each work
group/team
Down to business...
• Presentations or other inputs on main
subjects for discussion
• Small group discussions on the subjects
and sharing of ideas
• Formulation of recommendations
• Activities designed to provide
participants with knowledge, skills and
attitudes needed to take a contributory
place in advocacy and decision-making
bodies within the association
At the end...
• Agreement on the final
recommendations to be submitted to a
decision-making body of the association
• Closing and farewell.
4.4 WORKING METHODS But don’t forget other working methods may
also be used. These include presentations by
Various working methods can be used during experts, interviews or fact-finding inquiries,
a Scout Youth Forum. panel discussions, audio-visual presentations,
drama, singing, games... the list is endless.
Some sessions are probably best held in Make sure there is a good variety of methods
plenary (all participants together); these include used during the Forum and there will be less
the opening part of the Forum (welcome, chance of participants becoming bored or
introduction of the participants, opening losing their creativity.
activity or game, outline of the Forum theme,
agreeing on the agenda, electing the
chairperson and other office bearers, etc.) and
any major inputs or presentations to introduce
the principle subjects to be discussed. The final
session which includes reaching agreement on
the final recommendation of the Forum should
also be held in plenary.
Much of the rest of the Forum can take place
in smaller groups, to facilitate discussion,
sharing of ideas, and developing the
recommendations. There is a better chance for
everyone to be able to express their point of
view in smaller groups than in larger ones.
The small groups don’t have to be made up of
the same people throughout the Forum; several
different groupings may be used, based on
varying criteria depending on the purpose of
the group’s work.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 8
5. PARTICIPANTS 5.1 DELEGATES AND OBSERVERS
At World Scout Youth Forums, participants may
be either delegates (participants with the right
to speak and to vote) or observers (participants
with the right to speak but not to vote). The
number of delegates from any country is
limited to two and the number of observers is
limited to three. These definitions and limits
were introduced because of the relatively large
number of participants who might be expected
to attend a World Scout Youth Forum on behalf
of the more than 140 National Scout
Organisations (many of which have component
associations) which are members of the World
Organization of the Scout Movement.
At national level, however, it may not be
necessary to distinguish between participants
in this way; it may be possible for all
participants to have the same rights to speak
and to vote. Similarly, it may not be necessary
to set limits on the number of participants from
any particular area. One important point to
keep in mind, however, is the need for
equitable representation from all parts of an
association; if this is not achieved, the
recommendations of the Forum may be biased
in favour of one area over another. Similarly,
the total number of participants should be such
as to enable the event to function effectively.
5.2 OTHER “PARTICIPANTS”
Another point to consider is whether
participation should be limited to members of
your National Scout Association, or whether
non-members – for example, members of a
sister Girl Guide/Girl Scout association or of
other youth organisations or schools – may
take part. In deciding on who may participate,
and in what capacity, keep in mind that a Youth
Forum normally makes recommendations to a
Scout decision-making body; you may decide,
therefore, that only members of your
association should be involved in formulating
these recommendations, and that non-
members should participate only as observers
or visitors.
Ultimately, each association needs to decide
for itself what practice to follow, taking into
account its own size and other circumstances.
5.3 AGE RANGE
The World Scout Conference has decided that
participants in World and Regional Scout Youth
Forums must be between their 18th and 26th
birthdays. While in the past World Youth
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 9
Forums took place during World Scout
Jamborees and were targeted at the 14-18 year
age range, they are now held in conjunction
with World and Regional Conferences, and
National Scout Associations are encouraged to
designate their participants in the Forums as
delegates or observers to the related
Conferences as well.
According to the World Conference resolution
on Youth Forums, the same principles apply
to national Forums. The ages of participants
may vary, however, depending on the age
range of members of the association; but it
seems unlikely that anyone older than 26
should participate in a Scout Youth Forum.
(For other youth gatherings, such as those held
during Jamborees or similar large events, the
age range will naturally be determined by the
age of the participants in the larger event; for
example, a workshop being held during a
Jamboree for Scouts may be for 12-15 year
olds, while one being held during a Venture
Scout event may be for 16-18 year olds.)
5.4 SELECTION
The guidelines for the selection of participants
will have to be developed well in advance of
the Forum. You may decide, for example, to
hold local Scout Youth Forums where young including consulting with other young people
people can be elected to represent that locality whom they will represent at the Forum. They
at the national Youth Forum. Participants should know who they can turn to in the
should represent as far as possible the gender association for advice and information when
balance and ethnic, social and geographical they need it.
backgrounds of members of the association.
You will have to decide what is the best
selection process for your association.
The Forum organisers will need the names of
all participants before the Forum begins so that
the agenda and other papers can be sent out
well in advance; this will enable the Forum
participants to consult with other young people
from their local area before attending the
Forum. The placement of the participants into
groups or teams can also be prepared before
the Forum begins.
5.5 SUPPORT
Youth Forum participants should be provided
with support in their preparation for a Youth
Forum by the appropriate levels of the
association.
After selection, participants will need to receive
relevant information, and perhaps training, to
carry out their responsibilities. They may
require encouragement and support to help
prepare themselves in depth for the event,
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 10
6. ORGANISATION 6.1 GENERAL
The primary purpose of this booklet is to offer
guidelines on how to organise Scout Youth
Forums at national level. The guidelines will
also be useful, however, for the organisation
of Forums at other levels, such as locally within
the National Scout Association or at Regional
level.
At world level, the organisation of World Scout
Youth Forums follows an approach that is
similar to that used for World Scout
Conferences. This involves, for example:
• a Planning Committee, made up
primarily of representatives of the World
Organization of the Scout Movement,
which is responsible for preparing the
agenda and programme of the Forum;
• a Steering Committee, comprising the
chairperson and elected vice-
chairpersons of the Forum, who are
responsible for the conduct of the event
itself;
• and a Host Committee, made up of
representatives of the host National Scout
Association, responsible for all the
practical arrangements.
Although World Scout Youth Forums are a
special case, based on their unique nature, and
different approaches will be required for Youth
Forums organised at other levels, some
elements of the existing guidelines used for
World Scout Youth Forums are quoted in this
section, either as examples or to illustrate
particular points. Your association will need
to develop its own procedures to suit your
particular needs and circumstances.
6.2 PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Planning Committee for a World Scout
Youth Forum normally comprises at least:
• one of the delegates selected by the host
National Scout Organisation, who will
be chairperson-designate of the Youth
Forum;
• two members of the Steering Committee
of the preceding Forum;
• one member of the World Programme
Committee;
• one executive from the World Scout
Bureau who exercises a support role.
This composition helps ensure that the
experience gained in organising and
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 11
conducting one Forum is carried over into the
next. It also ensures liaison with the World
Scout Committee, who are ultimately
responsible for the Forum, through the World
Programme Committee.
While it might normally be expected that the
chairperson will be elected by the Forum
delegates at the beginning of the event, the
designation of that person prior to the Forum
enables him or her to participate fully in
planning the event and thus carry out the
functions of chairperson effectively.
Efforts are made to try to make the Planning
Committee as representative as possible of the
Regions of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement.
The guidelines for World Scout Youth Forums
describe the function of the Planning
Committee as follows:
• to recommend to the World Committee
for approval the themes, objectives and
agenda of the World Youth Forum;
• to inform National Scout Associations of
the themes of the Forum well in advance
of the event, in order to allow them to
work on these themes with as many
young people as possible involved;
• to develop the objectives and agenda of
the Forum;
• to choose the working methods of the
Forum, favouring discussions and group
work by participants;
• to support the Steering Committee, if
needed, in their conduct of the Forum.
The Planning Committee hands over the main
responsibility for the conduct of the Youth
Forum to the Steering Committee when the
Forum begins.
These guidelines will need to be adapted to
suit the particular needs of a Scout Youth
Forum held at other levels of the Movement.
6.3 STEERING COMMITTEE
The guidelines for World Scout Youth Forums
call for a Steering Committee to be set up to
manage the conduct of the Youth Forum itself.
The Steering Committee comprises:
• the chairperson designated by the host
National Scout Organisation;
• vice-chairpersons, one from each of the
Regions of WOSM, elected by the Forum
from among Forum delegates
• a general rapporteur selected by the
World Programme Committee.
Although the chairperson and the rapporteur
are not elected by the Forum, because of the
particular nature of their functions, the large
majority of the members of the Steering
Committee are elected by Forum delegates.
This gives the Steering Committee a strong
mandate to manage the conduct of the Forum.
The guidelines for World Scout Youth Forums
describe some of the Steering Committee’s
functions as follows:
• to take into account the needs of the
participants;
• to assist the Forum in achieving its
objectives;
• to adapt the agenda, if required,
according to the needs of the Forum;
• to represent the Forum at the World
Conference which follows the Forum.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 12
These guidelines will also need to be adapted
to suit the circumstances of a Youth Forum
organised at other levels.
6.4 CHAIRPERSON’S FUNCTION
The guidelines for World Scout Youth Forums
describe the function of the chairperson as
follows:
• to chair the Forum;
• to act as principal point of contact
between the Steering Committee and the
Planning Committee during the Forum;
• to take the lead in maintaining contact
with the Steering Committee and Forum
participants after the Forum ends;
• to represent the Forum as an ex-officio
member of the World Programme
Committee;
• to publish a report on the result of the
Forum in each Region of the World
Organization of the Scout Movement,
which must be handed to the Planning
Committee of the next Forum one year
in advance.
Because of the bonds of friendship and
common cause that will naturally form among
the participants in any Scout Youth Forum, the
chairperson can play a key role in maintaining
contact between them after the event. At world
level, the chairperson is called upon to present
a report to the Planning Committee of the next
Forum one year in advance, to help them in
their preparatory work; his source of
infor mation on the impact of the
recommendations of the previous Forum
within National Scout Associations will be these
same participants.
The chairperson of a World Scout Youth Forum
is also invited to be an ex-officio member of
the World Programme Committee, which is an
advisory body to the World Scout Committee.
The purpose of this is to provide a channel for
the views of the Forum to be fed into the
ongoing consultative and decision-making
processes of the World Organization.
These guidelines too may be adapted to suit
the needs of a Youth Forum organised at local,
national or regional level.
6.5 VICE-CHAIRPERSONS’ FUNCTIONS
At World Scout Youth Forums, the function of
the vice-chairpersons is to formulate
recommendations arising from Forum
discussions for approval by the Forum, and
subsequent presentation to the World
Conference and inclusion in the final Forum
report.
This effectively places the major responsibility
for the drafting of the Forum’s
recommendations, based on the discussions
that take place, in the hands of the elected
representatives of the Forum delegates.
A similar procedure may be suitable for Scout
Youth Forums at other levels.
6.6 GENERAL RAPPORTEUR’S FUNCTIONS
The function of the general rapporteur at a
World Scout Youth Forum is:
• to maintain the record of the Forum’s
deliberations;
• to prepare a summary report of the
Forum for presentation to the World
Conference that follows the Forum;
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 13
• to prepare a final report of the Forum,
including its recommendations, as
quickly as possible after the conclusion
of the Forum.
Whatever approach is used, it is important to
make some specific provision for a report of
the Forum to be published as quickly as
possible following the event.
6.7 ADULT SUPPORT
Some adult support will probably be necessary
for the smooth conduct of a Scout Youth
Forum. This may include the presence of expert
resource persons to make presentations or
other inputs, or advisors or facilitators. The
primary role of adults in support roles should
be to assist the progress of the groups/teams
within the Youth Forum, but some adults may
also be needed to carry out administrative and
other functions, such as those of the Host
Committee.
If adults are thought to be necessary to fill
support roles, they need to be carefully
selected. The process of selecting the right
people to provide adult support at a Youth
Forum is similar to that which should be
followed when an adult is recruited for a
section leadership position in the Movement.
The most important consideration is to look young people with whom they will be working
for people who have the ability to listen and before the event begins officially.
to communicate with young people in the age
group concerned. You may also want to invite selected leaders
of your National Scout Association to show
There is always a risk at a Youth Forum that their support for the Youth Forum through a
adults will direct young people’s thought limited attendance at the event as visitors.
processes towards a particular result. This Depending on their position, they may need
danger can be reduced by having, within the to be introduced to the Forum participants and
support team, adults with different invited to speak, but their presence should not
backgrounds and experience. They may, for be allowed to disrupt the smooth conduct of
example, be drawn from the following groups: the Forum. In any case, it is probably best to
limit the number of visitors attending the
• Scouting background with the age group Forum.
concerned (ideally with varying lengths
of experience);
• non-Scouting background but having
specialised knowledge and/or
experience with the age group
concerned;
• other young adults a few years older than
the Forum participants.
Adults playing support roles must be chosen
for their ability to carry out their function
effectively, not for “political” reasons such as,
for example, the position they hold in the
association. Ideally there will be some time
for the adult supporters to get to know the
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 14
7. RECOMMENDATIONS 7.1 RECOMMENDATIONS
At World Scout Youth Forums, according to
AND REPORT the Rules of Procedure, recommendations must
be accepted by the majority of the delegates.
If delegates to a Youth Forum have one fear, it
is that all their hard work, their discussions
and their recommendations will come to
nothing. Young people attending Youth
Forums have expressed two thoughts:
• they require encouragement for the work
that they have done;
• they would like an established procedure
for the consideration of their
recommendations.
Therefore it is up to the organisers to ensure
everything is done to present the Scout Youth
Forum’s recommendations to the appropriate
body or bodies in the National Scout
Association for consideration and to report to
the Forum delegates on implementation or
other follow-up.
7.2 REPORT
At the beginning of a World Scout Conference,
the Steering Committee of the World Scout
Youth Forum provides a summary of the
discussions of the Forum to the World
Conference. The recommendations to the
World Conference are read in their entirety on
this occasion. At the end of this presentation,
the Steering Committee gives a copy of all the
recommendations to the World Committee; a
copy is also given to each National Scout
Organisation present at the Conference.
The written report of the Forum contains all
the recommendations adopted by the
delegates. It also contains a summary of the
most important discussions and events of the
Forum. The general rapporteur is responsible
for the editing of the report. Support for
translation, layout and publication is provided
by the World Scout Bureau.
These guidelines may be adapted to suit the
particular needs of a Youth Forum held at other
levels.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 15

8. OTHER As already mentioned, at World Scout Youth
Forums a Host Committee representing the
National Scout Association that is hosting the
ORGANISATIONAL event makes all the practical arrangements for
the Forum.
MATTERS Because there are so many variable factors
involved in this aspect of planning a Youth
Forum, it is not possible to provide specific
guidelines. However the following points should
be kept in mind:
• the need for good meeting facilities that
will help make the Forum a success;
Holding a Scout Youth Forum will obviously
cost some money; the exact figure will depend
upon many factors, such as the number of
participants, the duration of the event, etc. A
well-prepared budget will be an essential
element of the planning of the event. Financial
support, through sponsorship or some other
form of fundraising, may need to be found.
In any case, the fees for taking part in a Youth
Forum should be kept as low as possible to
encourage participation by young people. A
variable fee that reflects differing abilities to
pay may be appropriate.

• the need for accommodation and meals

for participants;

• transportation requirements, both to get

participants to the Forum and back home,
as well as during the event itself;

• participants’ reception, registration, etc.;

• opening and closing ceremonies;

• social programme;

• administrative support, such as a

secretariat.

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 16

9. RULES OF PROCEDURE The Rules of Procedure for World Scout Youth
Forums used at the 6th World Scout Youth
Forum in 1996 were as follows:
6TH WORLD YOUTH FORUM, MOSS, NORWAY,
1996
Adopted by World Scout Committee in
September 1995
1. Approval by each World Youth Forum
These draft Rules of Procedure should be
presented for approval by each World Youth
Forum at its opening session.
2. Guidelines for World Youth Forums
These Rules of Procedure complement the
Guidelines for World Youth Forums approved
by the World Scout Committee, and are
normally published with these Guidelines.
3. Chairperson
The chairperson of the World Youth Forum is
designated by the National Scout Organization
hosting the event from among that
organization’s delegates.
The chairperson’s ruling is final.
4. Vice-chairpersons
At its opening session, the World Youth Forum
will elect five vice-chairpersons, one from each
Region of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement.
Nominations of candidates for election may
be made by any delegate.
If there is more than one candidate from a
Region, delegates will vote by secret ballot;
the candidate who receives the highest number
of votes is elected.
5. Recommendations Committee and
Procedure
The five vice-chairpersons constitute the
Recommendations Committee.
The Recommendations Committee is
responsible for formulating recommendations
based on the Forum discussions, either on its
own initiative or on the basis of suggestions
made to it by Forum participants. The
Recommendations Committee may fix a closing
time for receipt of such suggestions.
The Recommendations Committee presents the
recommendations to the final session of the
Forum for approval.
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 17
Recommendations should be available in
writing, in English and in French, sufficiently
in advance of the final session of the Forum to
permit participants to study them; they must
in any case be available in writing in both
languages during the voting.
6. Voting on recommendations
Only Forum delegates may vote; each delegate
may cast one vote.
Recommendations must be approved by a
majority of votes cast; abstentions are not
considered.
The chairperson or a vice-chairperson shall
read each recommendation in turn and present
it for approval by the Forum.
the recommendation is amended accordingly These may also be helpful in developing Rules
before it is put to the Forum. of Procedure for Youth Forums organised
within National Scout Associations or Regions.
7. Official languages
The official languages of the World Youth
Forum are English and French.
Other languages may be used to address the
Forum provided a competent interpretation
into English or French is possible from within
the resources of the Forum.
Adopted by the World Scout Committee in
Sept ember 1995 for approval by the World
Youth Forum.

Voting may be by show of hands; if there is

no visibly clear majority, the chair may call for
a vote by roll-call of delegates or by secret
ballot.

Following practice in many countries, where

an amendment to a recommendation is
proposed by a delegate and duly seconded,
the amendment is first put to the Forum for a
vote, before the original recommendation. If
the amendment is lost, the recommendation is
then put; if the amendment is carried, then

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 18

POSTSCRIPT The 6th World Scout Youth Forum was held in
Moss, Norway, in July 1996.
the event, to acquire the knowledge, skills and
attitudes that will help them to make the
transition from the Youth Forum to the World
A total of 116 participants from 49 countries Scout Conference that follows, and relate
attended the event, which was highly rated by effectively with the decision-makers in their
the participants who completed an evaluation National Scout Associations when they return
questionnaire: 86% believed the objective “to home.
discuss issues of interest” had been
accomplished, while the same proportion
indicated that “to discuss subjects that were
on the World Conference agenda” had also
been achieved.

The working methods were also highly rated:

89% felt that they facilitated participants getting
to know each other and 85% that they had
helped the sharing of experiences among
participants. Participants in Scout Youth Forums
naturally form informal networks among
themselves to help them make the transition
from the “event” of the Forum itself (the 3 or 4
days spent together) into the back-home setting
that follows.

The lessons learned from this first experience

of a World Scout Youth Forum linked directly
to a World Scout Conference will be reflected
in the way in which future events of a similar
nature are planned and organised. Among the
points that will be considered are the ways in
which Forum participants are helped, during

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 19

 Appendix 1 GLOSSARY
POLICY ON In this Policy statement, the following terms
are used as indicated:
INVOLVEMENT OF • member refers to any person who joins
YOUNG MEMBERS IN the Movement, either as a participant in
the Youth Programme offered by
DECISION-MAKING National Scout Associations or in a
leadership capacity
Adopted by the 33rd World Scout Conference,
Bangkok, 1993 • youth member refers to any member
who participates in the Youth
Programme (for example, Pre-Cubs,
Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts, Rovers) but
not in an adult leadership capacity
• young member refers to any member
up to the age of approximately 26
• young adult refers to any young
member who has attained the legal age
of majority in any particular country, up
to the age of approximately 26
• adult leader refers to any member in a
leadership function in the Movement but
not a participant in the Youth
Programme.
BASIC PRINCIPLE
Scouting is a Movement of young people,
supported by adults; it is not a Movement for
young people managed by adults only. Thus,
Scouting offers the potential for a learning
community of young people and adults,
working together in a partnership of
enthusiasm and experience.
This basic principle should be reflected both
in the Youth Programme of a National Scout
Association and in the management structures
of the organization.
YOUTH PROGRAMME
The Youth Programme is the means to
achieving Scouting’s educational purpose,
which includes developing the capability of
its youth members, of all ages, to make
decisions. According to the Scout method, this
capability is developed progressively through
learning by doing, i.e. the active involvement
of youth members in making decisions that
affect them.
Thus, youth members in all age sections (for
example, Pre-Cub section, Cub section, Scout
section, Senior Scout section, Rover section)
should participate in making decisions affecting
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 20
the implementation of the programme in which
they participate at unit and local levels,
assuming increasing responsibility with age for
their own decisions and actions. Youth
members in the older age sections should also
participate in the process of programme design
and development carried out by National Scout
Associations.
Within the Youth Programme, the role of adult
leaders is to encourage and facilitate the
progressive personal development of the youth
members through a rich and varied partnership
with them. At all levels and in all situations,
an appropriate balance must be struck between
the complementary roles of youth members
and adult leaders.
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES
Young adults in Scouting, whether members
of the older age sections or in leadership
positions, should be active participants in
decision-making in matters related to the
organization and management of the
Movement.
Young adults should also be active
representatives of the Movement in
relationships with external bodies.
Appropriate training should be provided for
young adults in these roles.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL SCOUT
ASSOCIATIONS
National Scout Associations should establish
their own specific national policies and
procedures to ensure the participation of young
members in decision-making.
These policies and procedures should include:
• design of the Youth Programme using
appropriate programme development
processes to achieve the objectives of
this Policy statement
• organization of Youth Forums for the
expression of views and for the training
of young members in practical skills of
decision-making and leadership
• representation of young adults on
decision-making bodies of the
association and in delegations to
Regional and World Conferences
• provision of appropriate training for
young adults in such capacities
• provision of appropriate training for adult
leaders both to support the effective
implementation of the Youth Programme
and to strengthen their understanding of
the importance of the relationship
between youth members and adult
leaders.
National Scout Associations should be prepared
to devote the financial and other resources
necessary to support their policies and
procedures relating to the involvement of
young members in decision-making.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORLD
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT
The World Organization of the Scout Movement
must reflect this Policy statement in its own
internal practices and procedures at Regional
and World levels.
This includes:
• provision of opportunities for young
adults to participate in decision-making
processes and of training to be effective
in such decision-making
• representation of young adults on
technical committees and other advisory
or decision-making bodies
Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 21
• organization of Youth Forums for the
expression of views and for the training
of young members in appropriate skills.

The World Organization, through the World

Scout Committee and World Scout Bureau,
must provide support and encouragement to
National Scout Associations in implementing
this Policy.

Guidelines for Organising Scout Youth Forums – Page 22