Imagine an international opportunity to be a part of the real adventure of today's world: protecting the environment, sustainable development, challenging prejudices and building peace within and between communities; in one thought, contributing to making the world a better place.

All this and more is currently happening through the efforts of thousands of Rovers from all over the world that are taking part in the Scouts of the World Award.

More and more countries have adopted and implemented this global initiative within their programme for the Rover section. Here is some news from all corners of the globe:

Inspired by the programme run jointly by the World Scout Bureau and IBM UK at the 21st World Scout Jamboree last summer, it was decided to provide young Scouts with a technology focused programme activity at this year's Irish National Jamboree.

While millions of personal computers sit idle on office desks and in homes worldwide, hundreds of people contract and die from infectious diseases every hour. As screen savers run, millions die from hunger, or environmental disasters devastate whole communities. But it doesn't have to be that way and one year ago World Scouting took up the challenge!

The Qrendi Scout Group have just returned from a Scout youth exchange programme, entitled 'Never Ending Story', held in Poland, as part of the EU 'Youth in Action' Programme.

The international gathering was held between from 21-31 July 2008, at the Berdo Scout Campsite, located near Myczkowce a small village, situated in the San River valley in the very heart of the Bieszczady Mountains. The campsite, which was a ten minute boat ride from the mainland, was located on an island on the largest artificial body of water in Poland- the Solina Reservoir.

INDABA is a Zulu word for 'chief's meeting'. In line with Strategic Priority 6: An Organization for the 21st Century, the Scout Association of Nicaragua has developed a new dynamic model of INDABA, creating an opportunity for all Scout leaders and young adults of the senior Scout sections to meet and set their national Strategic Priorities for Scouting in Nicaragua.

The Swiss National Jamboree 'Contura 08' has taken place in Eastern Switzerland on the Plain de la Linth with 25,145 Scouts participating in the two week event which takes place only every 14 years. This year's location was particularly special, because it was on the border of 3 cantons- St Gallen, Schwyz and Glarus.

Participants had the opportunity to take part in action-packed activities throughout the Jamboree which included a full day's programme in the Global Village. 28 workshops were presented by various NGOs and partners of the Swiss Scout Movement and World Scouting which explored issues relating to education, sustainable development, human rights and environmental protection.

Two exciting documents have been developed following the initiatives undertaken during the Centenary of Scouting in 2007- The Centenary of Scouting Overview and The Gifts for Peace Report .

A CD-ROM containing the Gifts for Peace report (in English and French) and photo exhibition will also be available to NSOs through the Scoutpak.

Please share these documents with others and show them what Scouting can achieve!