Trip Report—World Scout Interreligious Symposium

Over one hundred and fifty Scouting and religious leaders attended the inaugural global meeting of religious scouting organizations held in Valencia, Spain, from 27 Nov-2 Dec, 2003. Organized around the theme of "Learning to Live Together: Tolerance and Solidarity", the symposium was the first of its kind. The event brought together representatives from most of the world’s major religions and national scouting organizations (NSOs). Sponsored by the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) which is headquarted in Geneva, Switzerland, the symposium represented many of the 28 million youth and adults from 216 countries and territories worldwide who utilize Scouting programs.

The symposium was conceived two years ago at the 2002 World Scout Jamboree in Thailand. This followed closely after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which heightened tensions among Muslims and non-Muslims. The purpose of the event was to engage in dialogue, exchange information, raise issues, and form recommendations for NSOs to consider in advance of the 2007 World Scout Jamboree. The Jamboree will be held in London, the birthplace of Scouting which was developed by the English Army General, Lord Baden-Powell, at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The objectives of the event were:

• To experience and share religious celebrations, build partnerships across religions, and consider wider cooperation with religious communities
• To consider the role of religion in the Scout Movement
• To develop recommendations to NSOs and the World Movement on how to promote interreligous dialogue with the ultimate aim of the promotion of peace.

NSO volunteers and international commissioners came from nearly every continent and included countries and regions such as Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Polynesia, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and most of Western Europe. Religious and Scouting leaders from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant and independent religious denominations exchanged information, shared rituals and formed lasting personal relationships.

A highlight of the symposium were the many reports of current and proposed Scouting service projects, some of which involve high-risk areas and activities. Examples include restarting scouting in Afghanistan, leprosy and HIV/AIDS relief, interfaith education events, conducting peace walks, world brotherhood parks development, and meeting with officials of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to discuss global health and socio-economic needs.