Michael Rütimann, Géraldine Wyss, Ivar Trippolini and Matthias Gerth from the SGSM together with Justin Koutaba, Burkina Faso’s Minister for Youth and Employment.

Committed young people from Switzerland and Burkina Faso had a prominent voice in two discussion sessions, of which two representatives from the Swiss Guide and Scout Movement (SGSM) had the opportunity to take part. Together with 30 representatives from various youth organisations of Burkina Faso and Switzerland, they shared their experiences on development in African countries and collaboration with institutions in Switzerland. “For us a partnership is about equal exchange. We are not imposing anything on our partners in Burkina Faso, but sharing with them, like they are sharing with us ”, said Daniela Lussmann from the Swiss Guide and Scout Movement.

The group also debated the challenges posed by development and possible responses among themselves in dialogue with Justin Koutaba, Burkina Faso’s Minister for Youth and Employment, SECO General Director Jean-Daniel Gerber, and SDC General Director Walter Fust.

The Swiss Guide and Scout Movement is involved in several partnership projects in different countries. The partnership between the SGSM and Scouts and Guides in Burkina Faso was established more than 15 years ago. Nowadays, Swiss Guides and Scouts are running a Kindergarden in the village of La Todin and are helping the Girl Guides and Girls Scouts to continue to stabilise the structures of their Association. Almost every summer Guides and Scouts from both countries participate in joint events. Next year, Guides from Burkina Faso will participate in the Swiss National Jamboree and Scouts and Guides from Switzerland will travel to Burkina Faso.

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