On 8-9 November 2008 more than 200 participants from the academic community, NGOs, Scouting and the public were given the opportunity to attend a unique scientific conference held in Athens and organised by the Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Scout Association of Greece) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Secretariat-General for Youth and the Hellenic Open University.

The 30 presentations that were made dealt with a variety of current topics that have a direct reflection on formal, informal and non-formal educational processes and included skills development, the civil society, volunteerism, free time, diversity, the evolving needs of young people, age characteristics, environment and sustainability.

عقدت اللجنة الكشفية العالمية اجتماعها الأول خلال الفترة من 6-10/11/2008 بتشكيلها الجديد الذى تم فى الآونة الأخيرة فى المؤتمر الكشفى العالمى ال 38 بكوريا.

وجدير بالذكر أن هيكل اللجنة الكشفية العالمية مازال يتضمن 12 عضواً منتخباً لهم حق التصويت، ولكن ما تغير بالفعل هو وضع السكرتير العام للمنظمة الكشفية العالمية وأمين الصندوق اللذان أصبحا أعضاء بحكم المنصب وليس لهم حق التصويت وينضم إليهما كل من رئيس أو نائب رئيس كل لجنة كشفية إقليمية منتخبة على النحو الواجب

Leaders of the World Scout Foundation visited the United Arab Emirates at the end of October to meet with top government and Scouting representatives. Their purpose was to increase the visibility of Scouting in the UAE, strengthen relationships with UAE leaders, and obtain financial support.

The visit was hosted by the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed who acknowledged the importance of Scouting as a global force in the education of young leaders.

Haiti has been severely affected by a wave of cyclones in the recent months, causing considerable human loses and property damage.

For more than one month, the Scouts of Haiti have played an active role in helping the victims of this natural disaster, just like they did in 2004 after the disaster of cyclone Jeanne.

These actions, which service the local community, are currently integrated into week-long Scout camps for Rovers and leaders, and are located across three sites that have been particularly affected by the catastrophe: Gonaïves, Cabaret and Chansolme. On the whole, more than 1,800 people from all over the country, have been involved in this project.

Scouts in Algeria have been incredible in their support of the community in the Ghardaia region recently, as the area was dramatically hit by flash floods. The 'Scouts Musulmans Algériens' have proved the value of developing a disaster preparedness plan - which they activated with great success when the need arose.

On the 1st October 2008, the department of Ghardaia, 600 km south of Algiers, was hit by dangerous floods caused by heavy rains. More than 90 people were killed, 50 injured and more than 600 houses destroyed. According to the Algerian Red Crescent report, the mudslides overran the riverbanks of Oued M’Zab and invaded the villages.

The Scouts of the World Partnership is part of the tools to develop the Scouts of the World Award, it is a network of National Scout Organizations (NSOs) willing to help each other in implementing the Scouts of the World Award. The Scouts of the World Partnership is a concrete opportunity to involve young adults in the development of society and provide them with real social responsibilities.

More concretely, Scouts are working with NSOs in other countries or Regions in order to facilitate youth exchanges and open opportunities for young people to commit themselves in international cooperation projects. This is a fantastic field of action for young adults preparing for the Scouts of the World Award or having received the SW Award.

Over the week end, over half-a-million of you have gatherered on the air, during the 51st JOTA, and via the Internet for the 12th JOTI. Luc Panissod, World Scouting's acting Secretary General, sends a closing message to all participants and national organisers.