Over 60 Rovers gather for 14th WOSM Agora focused on sustainability and empowering youth

3 minutes
A group of young people wearing their Scout scarves stand in from of a church.

The 14th WOSM Agora, which took place in National Scout Centre of Fátima (Portugal) from April 12-16, saw more than 60 rovers from 21 countries representing 24 National Scout Associations coming together for four intensive days of an event 'for Rovers, by Rovers'. The Agora’s objective was to strengthen the educational goals of the Rover age section with a particular emphasis on youth empowerment.

This year's Agora was organised under the theme of sustainability, focusing on issues relevant to young people in today's society. Participants could attend sessions on the Sustainable Development Goals, project planning, project development, and communications, enabling them to create sustainable projects from beginning to end.

Participants also spent half a day doing community service at a retirement home, a community garden, and in the fields of Quinta do Escuteiro (Scout Centre of Batalha), highlighting the importance of community involvement and service.

"The highlight of Agora for me was undoubtedly the opportunity to exchange ideas and projects from various countries, gaining a deeper understanding of global challenges and witnessing the innovative solutions that people have devised", Miguel, Portugal.

The Agora is a meeting place where dreams, feelings, concerns, experiences, ideas, and paths cross and are shared, making it a source of inspiration and energy. It is a place where the fundamentals of Scouting are present in a way that is attractive to young people today. It serves as a platform for debate, sharing, and teaching and learning from one another. Most importantly, the Agora provides motivation and direction to one's path as a rover.

"Agora is an extraordinary event that leaves a lasting imprint on your life, providing lifelong memories and equipping you with the tools to make a meaningful difference in your community. Connect with a diverse network of passionate individuals from across Europe, immersing yourself in the best of international scouting and forging lifelong friendships."

The first European event by Rovers for Rovers was organised in 2007, following the Roverway in Italy. It was aptly named Dare to Dream (the theme of Roverway 2006 was "Dare to Share"). The Agora is part of the Earth Tribe project, which aims to transform youth organisations into forward-looking structures that support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and empower young Europeans to be active citizens creating positive change in their communities. The project is kindly financed by the Erasmus+ programme.

Overall, the 14th WOSM Agora was a successful event that brought together rovers from the European Scout Region to collaborate, learn, and contribute to sustainable projects that benefit their communities. In the next months, the participants will implement the projects they designed during their involvement at the Agora 2023.

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