37 young people selected as World Scouting’s new Youth Representatives
Thirty-seven young people from around the world have been selected as World Scouting’s newest Youth Representatives, taking on an important role in bringing the voices, ideas, and experiences of Scouts into global and regional advocacy spaces.
Representing all five Scout Regions, the new cohort, aged 18 to 26, reflects the diversity of the Scout Movement, including representatives from countries such as Algeria, Austria, Bolivia, Mauritius, the Philippines, and many more.
Over the next three years, the Youth Representatives will advocate for the views and positions of 60 million Scouts in discussions on some of the most important issues facing young people today, including education, sustainability, peace, health, and human rights.
The group of Youth Representatives have undergone training to strengthen their skills in advocacy, communications, and strategic partnership engagement, preparing them to represent World Scouting in international spaces. This includes taking part in major global events and forums, including the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the UN Climate Change Conference, and the World Health Organization’s World Health Summit.
The new appointments reflect World Scouting’s commitment to meaningful and impactful youth leadership and engagement. Since being initiated in 2019, Youth Representatives have helped ensure that young people are included and actively shaping important discussions.
While continuing to represent World Scouting’s global voice, this latest cohort of Youth Representatives will also have a stronger regional focus and deeper collaboration with National Scout Organisations. This approach will help them stay closely connected to the realities facing young people in their regions, as connected to the grassroots of the Movement.
In addition to their regional responsibilities, each Youth Representative will contribute to one of several focus areas, including education and youth skills; the Sustainable Development Goals and global frameworks; diversity, equity, and inclusion; health and human rights; environment and sustainability; and youth, peace, and security. Working alongside Youth Representatives from other regions with the same focus area, they will strengthen cross-regional collaboration and amplify collective advocacy on issues affecting young people across the Movement, ensuring that diverse regional perspectives are reflected in global discussions.
Reflecting this shift, this year’s selection process followed a new regional approach. Following an open call for applications, candidates were assessed and selected by panels that included former Youth Representatives, as well as World Scouting volunteers and staff.
In addition to representing World Scouting externally, Youth Representatives will also contribute to the development of the Scout Movement’s priorities, policies, and advocacy positions, helping ensure that young people remain at the centre of decision-making.
World Scouting’s Youth Representative model is supported through funding from Messengers of Peace, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, Accenture, and other partners.