Youth-led Humanitarian Action takes centre stage at the WeAct Forum

4 minutos

The European Scout Region concludes the five-day WeAct Forum, which brought together over 150 Scouts and representatives from humanitarian organisations this week in Krakow, Poland, to redefine youth-led humanitarian action and strengthen the way organisations collaborate and engage young people in humanitarian aid and response. 

The WeAct Forum marked the conclusion of the regional partnership between UNICEF and the Scout Movement, formalised in April 2022, solidifying their joint commitment to address the pressing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Through the project, Scout volunteers supported over 1,144,000 Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine. 

A group of people hold pieces of a rope.
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Kamil Jasinski

By bringing together youth leaders, humanitarian organisations, and experts in the field, the WeAct Forum inspired new ways of thinking and encouraged collaborative action among organisations to give young people a leading role in humanitarian action and support them in the process. 

As the Forum centred around strengthening youth-led humanitarian action, it delved into the themes of educational approaches, volunteering, and partnerships as foundational pillars to support young people in being at the forefront of humanitarian response.

This Forum was a true representation of the power and determination of Scouting toward its mission of creating a better world. Nowhere else could you imagine people coming together from every corner of the globe to exchange, create, and problem-solve together to find ways to stay responsive to the needs of everyone in our communities.
Siân Bagshaw
Sian Bagshaw
Manager, Diversity, Culture and Inclusion

 The five-day agenda inspired captivating discussions, insightful workshops, and powerful organisational engagement opportunities. Each aspect of the programme thoroughly explored important topics, including Human Rights Education during a humanitarian response, safeguarding and nurturing the well-being of young humanitarians, integrating refugees into local Scouting, and forming strategic partnerships for effective humanitarian action. 

Member Organizations were able to build new connections amongst each other and partner organisations. Through panel discussions and workshops, they exchanged valuable insights with UNICEF, Action Aid, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), the UN Human Rights Office, and DTCare, which also opened up new possibilities for future partnerships and paved the way for innovative approaches to addressing global challenges.

"Scouting organisations have been integral in DTCare's efforts to aid Ukrainians since the onset of the war. We are honoured to be taking part in the WeAct Forum and being able to explore ways to better help communities in need," published DTCare, who facilitated a workshop on art therapy and psychological first aid for refugees and individuals who have experienced trauma. 

Three people discuss on a stage.
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Kamil Jasinski

All six Scout regions were represented at the WeAct Forum. Participants and partners learned about different Member Organizations' youth-led initiatives when responding to crises and supporting vulnerable communities, such as the Lebanese Scouts' swift response to the Beirut explosion in 2020, the Chilean Scouts' programme of integrating migrants into their local groups, and the Polish Scouts' massive efforts on the borders supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war. 

The Forum fostered a vibrant knowledge-sharing space that encouraged people to reimagine traditional approaches to humanitarian action and champion the essential role of young people in shaping a better future. 

Participants drafted a set of recommendations on youth's vital role in addressing global challenges. The WeAct Forum will bring the recommendations forward to contribute to a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable approach to a humanitarian response that empowers young people and maximises their impact.

As Scouts, we are committed to harnessing this knowledge and continuing our journey toward a more resilient, inclusive, and compassionate society. Together, we will continue championing youth-led humanitarian action and creating a better future for all.