“I would love a job where I could help create and organise something meaningful for others”

Louise Lundbye serves as a Project Support and Event Management Officer for the Europe Support Centre in Brussels. Her journey with the World Organization of the Scout Movement began in 2023 when she joined as a volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps programme. 

 

Louise's dedication to scouting traces back over a decade, having spent the past 13 years actively engaged as a Scout in Denmark and supporting KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark at different levels, including as a youth leadership course tutor, national steering committee member and volunteer of the Danish National Scout Jamboree in 2022. Louise has played pivotal roles in supporting significant events within the European Scout Region. Notable among these are her contributions to the European Agora 2023, the Kander100 workshops as part of the Earth Tribe project, and her involvement in the Scout and Guide Academy 2023.

I wanted to work for something I find meaningful. Scouting has made a big impact on the person I am today. The values and purpose of scouting are something I wanted to contribute to. First, as a local volunteer, as I also had leaders who spent many hours each week facilitating meetings, and I wanted to give back this way. I saw an opportunity later to combine my professional interests and scouting by becoming a full-time volunteer with the European Support Centre.

 

In the abstract sense, the competencies I have developed through scouting have shaped both my personal and professional life, including teamwork and responsibility, problem-solving skills, resilient mindsets, and many others; I have been able to face new challenges, learn new skills, and most importantly, work well in teams. In the literal sense of my professional journey, I have worked for WOSM for the past year.

 

I would say teamwork and an open mind. Being part of a team means combining skills, knowledge, competencies, and perspectives. We work with many different people, and being an open-minded team player is essential. Knowing each person brings something unique to the team, we can learn from and support one another in a supportive environment, and together we can create something truly exceptional.

Among the first things that come to mind is a youth leadership course I attended in my association when I was 19. The week made me reflect much about scouting and myself, and the course was very supportive. As a result, I returned motivated and more confident and set new goals, one of which was to participate in international scouting. One month later, I saw an opportunity to utilise my professional interests in combination with scouting and applied to volunteer full-time for WOSM. The second that comes to mind is when I tutored at a youth leadership course. It was gratifying to watch the programme come together, watch the participants grow, and see them enjoy their week. I learned that I would love a job where I could help create and organise something meaningful for others.

 

You might think it's cheesy, but believe in yourself; you have something special to offer. We sometimes don't believe in ourselves, but we need to try, even when our doubts keep us from pursuing opportunities we'd love. Be open about your intention to join the opportunity you want. Even if the first attempt does not result in the desired outcome, it will still be a learning experience and a foundation for something in the future. Scouting and the international world are both big and small at the same time, and chances are that you will meet someone who can link you to someone who is involved with that area and the opportunities out there.