The United Nations Believes in Scouting, Values the Amazing Contributions of the Scouts

The United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, began a two-day official visit to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi, Japan today.

He likened the Jamboree to the Olympics. “First, it happens every four years”.

“Second, I think it is the largest gathering for young people… a global movement that is working towards the values of peace, development, co-existence and tolerance. These are the values that we the United Nations, and basically all other organisations, are founded on,” Alhendawi said.

He added that the Jamboree site is “almost like an Olympic village, bringing young people from all over the world together… they are competing here to do good, global good, contributing to the development of their communities. That’s the competition we need in our world today”.

Alhendawi said his visit to the Jamboree as a representative of the UN and the Secretary General of the UN sends “a strong message from the UN that we believe in the Scouts; we really value the amazing contributions of the Scouts around the world”.

He added that there is also the spirit of global solidarity and global citizenship. “So, I could not be happier to see this amazing commitment and contribution from around the world coming together. This is a global movement that is staying true to the vision of its founder and everyday renewing its commitment to continue working hard to achieve the noble goals behind Scouting.”

“We’re very happy with this partnership and I'm personally very happy to be here to witness this historic event,” he said.