Gone Home: Klaus Jacobs
12 September 2008: World Scouting and The Board of the World Scout Foundation regrets to announce the passing away yesterday of its former Chairman, and long-time champion of Scouting, Klaus Jacobs.
Born in Germany in 1936, Klaus Jacobs was a famous businessman and entrepreneur who held a keen lifelong interest in the Scout Movement. A Vice-Chairman and then Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, Klaus was convinced that the Movement could help young people play an active role in building their own futures and in training young leaders capable to take part in the development and social, cultural and economic progress of their country.
He provided outstanding leadership to the World Scout Foundation over a number of years and initiated major fundraising events that benefited the Foundation's endowment fund. He was the Foundation's largest private donor. In recent years, he strongly promoted and encouraged the development of Scouting in Africa, and in 2004, the Jacobs Foundation agreed to finance the first phase of a pilot project to strengthen youth leadership in the Region. As a result, the Africa Scout Region was able to launch a project entitled, “Training Young Leaders to Ensure the Future of Africa”.
Klaus created the Research and Development Committee of World Scouting, which he chaired for almost a decade. During this time, he initiated and personally financed research work on Scouting's impact on society in general and young people in particular, including 'Scouting for Nature and Environment'. The results of this work have helped clarify the role of Scouting. More recently, he was the driving force behind the establishment of the McKinsey Study that has reshaped the work of the World Scout Committee and the World Scout Bureau.
Klaus was awarded the Bronze Wolf for services of the most exceptional character to Scouting in 2006, of which he was extremely proud.
May his soul rest in peace.
“The difference between the Scout Movement and other youth organisations is its international dimension. It is unique, the Scout Movement is like a very large family."Klaus Jacobs- entrepreneur.
Image: Klaus Jacobs was presented with the Bronze Wolf Award in 2006 by His Majesty the King of Sweden.
© WSF