World Scouting renews collaboration with UN Representative on Violence Against Children
World Scouting and the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (OSRSG-VAC) have renewed their ongoing cooperation framework to continue advancing the safety, protection, and well-being of children and young people. This framework further supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reflects a shared responsibility to uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Areas of cooperation include a focus on education and learning opportunities that aim to protect and empower children and youth, while also creating spaces for young people to actively contribute to policies and initiatives that prevent violence against children. Under the advisory mandate, the Special Representative would continue providing advice and support to the World Scout Committee, the global governing Board for World Scouting, advocating for strong safeguarding and child protection at all levels.
Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, the Special Representative, highlighted the impact of these types of partnerships in a special video address during World Scouting’s annual Safe from Harm week in 2025. In a special video message, Dr Najat remarked, “Violence against children occurs in all settings and harms millions and millions of children worldwide. Making Scouting safer for and with children is crucial. I welcome your commitments and actions to keep children safe.”
Since 2019, World Scouting and the Office of the Special Representative have cooperated to strengthen Scouting’s Safe from Harm policies and practices with an aim to bring all 176 National Scout Organizations into compliance with membership requirements and international standards for child and youth safeguarding. These efforts have included training, services, and support to Member Organizations, promotion of safeguarding best practices during world and regional Scouting events, and prioritising child and youth safeguarding under the Scout Movement’s new global ten-year strategy, which was adopted in 2024.
World Scouting’s Secretary General, David Berg, welcomed the new partnership, saying that it reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of child and youth safeguarding. “Safeguarding is the highest priority for the Scout Movement. Through this partnership, we will benefit from the UN’s expertise and advice around the protection of children and youth, while continuing to foster a culture of safeguarding among all National Scout Organizations,” he said.
Building on this partnership, World Scouting and the OSRSG-VAC will also co-host a side event at the 5th World Scout Education Congress in Singapore this December. The event will bring together key stakeholders from across the sector to highlight the importance of child protection and safeguarding.