The agreement was signed in Milan by the Secretary General of WOSM, Dr Eduardo Missoni, and the Rector of Bocconi University, Professor Angelo Provasoli.

“Interest in civil society, non-formal education in an association, awareness of the need for rules of conduct that are vital for reaching a common goal, independence from government authorities – these are just some of the points that Bocconi University and World Scouting have in common,”highlighted Elio Borgonovi, Head of the MA in Public Management and instigator of the agreement. “The world of Scouting has impressed us with its balance between professionalism and values, as well as its interest in value-based management experience and practices.”

“A structure as complex as the World Organization of the Scout Movement pays close attention to managerial problems,” declared Eduardo Missoni. “This agreement with Bocconi University is our first real partnership agreement with a university. Our goal is to create an international network of academic institutions which cooperate with World Scouting.”

Under the agreement:

-First degree and post-graduate students proposed by Bocconi University will be able to benefit from placements at one of WOSM’s eleven offices, either at its headquarters in Geneva or at one of its regional or satellite offices in Nairobi, Dakar, Cape Town, Cairo, Manila, Yalta, Moscow, Brussels, Belgrade and Santiago de Chile, which together employee a staff of 120.
-World Scout Bureau staff will be able to take part in training courses and research projects at Bocconi University.
-Joint management courses will be organised to encourage value-based, cooperative management models.
-Staff/lecturer exchanges will be possible.
-Bocconi University researchers will be made available to carry out research activities into WOSM’s organisational and managerial requirements.
-A research project will be set up to study the management styles of associations.

Additional information for editors

-WOSM has 28 million members, young people and adults, worldwide. Scouting is an international movement that operates at local level through groups of young people and adult volunteers who are supported and coordinated by their national Scout organization. Scouting is active in some 215 countries and territories, where it runs educational programmes that meet the social needs and aspirations of young people. In partnership with the United Nations and other global and local agencies, Scouting is committed to and works in favour of peace and lasting development. It celebrates its centenary in 2007.

-Based in Geneva since 1969, the World Scout Bureau is the executive secretariat of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, which has enjoyed consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 1947.

-The Italian Scout Federation is composed of the Catholic Guides and Scouts of Italy (AGESCI) and the National Youth Explorers of Italy (CNGEI).

Contact:
World Scout Bureau
+ 41 22 705 10 10
Richard Amalvy (French, English, Spanish)
www.scout.org