These six associations have been running successful projects in their countries for a great number of years, and whilst the projects are very different, they have much in common. Each association has identified a problem in their society and managed to tackle it face on through Scouting. They have all encountered problems and overcome them to make a real difference to the lives of the Scouts and young people in their countries.

The associations worked together with an external facilitator and support from the World Scout Bureau to extract the useful learning from their projects so that other Scout organizations can learn from their experiences. The event was only possible due to a most generous donation from the King of Saudi Arabia, to whom we are most grateful. The follow up work will consist of a report as well as peace models and adult training materials. The in depth details of these projects will also supplement the content of the Gifts for Peace database/website which is currently under construction.

Thank you to everyone who took part and made this event a real success.

Collie Kavanagh (Ireland)

Scouts in Ireland have been running a cross-community exchange between Scouts in the Republic of Ireland and Scouts in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) since the 1970s. Despite the dangers and violence, they have worked to help young people develop tolerance and understanding, break down barriers and create friendships. The method is simple but effective: the young people live together camping, hiking, cooking, having fun and learning about each other in one area, and then take part in a return exchange visit to the other side of the border, to experience life in both communities. They can then make up their own minds about the conflict on their island and take these positive experiences into their adult lives. Over 100,000 young people have taken part in these activities which also touch the lives of their families and communities and pave the way for peace.

El Salvador has tackled the serious threat posed by street gangs and violence in their schools. They have given young people a second chance through the Scout method to turn away from violence and rebuild their lives. They give opportunities to young people to develop their employability and for children to have a childhood. Since the development of this project in 1996, over 10,000 young people have benefited from this programme, and over 800 teachers have been trained in non-formal education techniques by the Scouts to support the initiative.

Roma Scouts in Slovakia

Scouts in Slovakia are working with the marginalised Roma community to establish Roma Scouting and given their young people greater opportunities. The Roma community make up ten percent of the Slovakian population, mostly living in very poor communities with few opportunities for employment and real integration into Slovakian society. Scouting offers the young Roma citizens a meaningful way to spend their freetime, giving them positive peer role-models, a sense of self-worth, providing employment and educational assistance and working against drug abuse and related social issues. There are now over 11 Roma Scout groups working with over 600 Romas in Slovakia and the project is going from strength to strength.

Scouts in Hong Kong have taken Scouting into prisons for young people aged 16-20. The first group was set up in 1986 and over the past twenty years more than 2,600 young offenders have joined Scouting. They take part in Scouting activities, learning about leadership through the patrol system, giving service to the community and learning respect for others as well as respect for themselves. Scouting is having a positive influence on their lives and facilitating their reintegration into society as law-abiding citizens. The project is very well received by the young offenders as well as their parents, the prison officials and the local community. The young offenders who have gone through Scouting have not re-offended.

South Africa Scout with a little girl orphaned by AIDS

Scouts in South Africa are tackling HIV/AIDS through a youth empowerment programme run through peer education. The Scouts learn about their rights, including the right to say 'no' to something that gives them a 'no' feeling. The Scouting and AIDS programme has been integrated into the youth programme and has been implemented across South Africa to 75% of youth members. Over 50,000 young people participated in the Africa Aids Day initiative from the Africa Southern Zone last December and the messages are being passed on from peer to peer in an open learning environment. In a country where 4.3 million children have died of AIDS, Scouts are changing attitudes in society as well as protecting their futures through their knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS. In addition, they are reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS working on numerous community service programmes.

Scouts in Saudi Arabia are working to promote open dialogue between young people from their country and around the world, inviting others to learn about Saudi Arabia and understand its rich culture. They are breaking down barriers and misconceptions, giving young people the chance to judge for themselves. Since 2001, the Saudi Scouts have run a series of successful intercultural gatherings, with a special event in early 2006 supported by the King of Saudi Arabia. The Scouts and other young people in their country are learning to understand and respect other young people from cultures from around the world, and vice versa. In addition, local communities where the gatherings take place are impacted upon in a positive way, and a great deal of media coverage is promoting their work to promote international understanding and friendship.