World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world. Founded in 1928, it serves as the international umbrella organization for national Girl Guide and Girl Scout associations. Its mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world, operating through a values-based educational program.

● History

The organization was formally established in 1928 at the Fifth International Conference held in Parád, Hungary, with delegates from 26 countries. This event was the culmination of efforts by key figures in the guiding movement, including Olave Baden-Powell, the wife of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement. The creation of a global body was championed to foster international friendship and cooperation, separate from the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Early milestones included the establishment of the first World Centre, Our Chalet, in Adelboden, Switzerland in 1932. The association continued to grow and advocate for girls' rights throughout the 20th century, navigating challenges such as World War II and the Cold War, and was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1947.

● Organization

The governance structure is led by the World Board, elected by member organizations at the World Conference, which is the supreme decision-making body held every three years. The World Board is supported by a professional staff at the global headquarters in London and across five regional offices. Key operational arms include the four World Centres: Our Chalet in Switzerland, Sangam in Pune, India, Our Cabaña in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and Kusafiri, a travelling centre in Africa. The association maintains formal partnerships with agencies like the World Health Organization and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and is a member of major coalitions such as the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect.

● Membership

Full membership is open to national Girl Guide or Girl Scout associations that are recognized as the sole representative in their country and subscribe to the fundamental principles of the movement. As of 2023, there are 152 Member Organizations spanning countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, representing approximately 10 million girls and young women. The largest member organizations include Girl Scouts of the USA, The Guide Association (United Kingdom), and the Bharat Scouts and Guides. The association also recognizes Associate Members and has relationships with Friends of WAGGGS, which include individuals and organizations that support its work financially and through advocacy.

● Programs

The core educational framework is the non-formal WAGGGS Leadership Development Programme, which aims to build skills in areas like decision-making and project management. A flagship initiative is the global advocacy campaign, Stop the Violence – Speak out for Girls' Rights, launched in partnership with the United Nations. The Global Action Theme and the World Thinking Day program, celebrated annually on February 22nd, unite members worldwide around common activities and fundraising for development projects. Other significant programs include the Girls Worldwide Say initiative, the WAGGGS Global Girls Fund, and the Olave Baden-Powell Society, which supports the World Centres and global projects.

● Global Events

The association organizes several major international gatherings to foster exchange and learning. The premier event is the World Conference, which sets the strategic direction. For young members, the World Scout Jamboree (organized with the World Organization of the Scout Movement) and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Jamboree offer large-scale camping experiences. The World Thinking Day Celebration is a globally synchronized event every February. Other significant gatherings include regional conferences, the Juliette Low Seminar, and the WAGGGS Leadership Summit, which often coincide with major international forums like the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Category:International youth organizations Category:Scouting and Guiding organizations Category:Organizations based in London