Inspiring the next generation: Belgian Scouts leading the way in Human Rights Education

4 minutes

Les Scouts have taken the lead in human rights education. As part of their #IMPACT plan in 2019, the organisation initiated a campaign to raise awareness about human rights, in collaboration with UNICEF Belgium, Amnesty International Belgique, and Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant. The campaign aimed to sensitise and prepare scout leaders to tackle human rights issues through prepared activities for all age groups. In this interview, we will discuss the inspiration behind the campaign, its implementation, the partnership with the organisations, and the response it received. We will also learn about the Scouts' plans to continue their efforts in promoting human rights and focusing on diversity and inclusion in the future.

Belgian Scouts use post its to differentiate needs and desires as part of a human rights activity.
Copyright
Les Scouts

Where did the idea of tackling Human Rights come from?

Peace Education and human rights is a key tool for changing attitudes and behaviours: every day, Scouts defend values and actively engage in their community. They have a direct impact on society. Thus, by educating Scouts in human rights, we participate in the construction of a fairer, more egalitarian, more inclusive and more united world.

In 2019, Les Scouts started implementing our #IMPACT plan focusing on four topics: Scouting, Connection, Modernity and Citizenship. Scouting's mission is to make the world a better place, populated by fulfilled people, ready to play a constructive role in society. In short, to be a citizen. Local Scouts were demanding more awareness of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

What did the campaign consist of?

During a month, Scout leaders were invited to introduce the Human Rights topic through prepared activities in collaboration with UNICEF Belgium, Amnesty International Belgique and Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant.

First, Scout groups had to enroll filling out a form to receive a sensitisation package with activity materials for all age groups, including Scout leaders. The package included leaflets, posters, activities guidelines and the badge of the campaign.

With a self-managed training toolkit, we prepared Scout leaders to tackle Human Rights. Additionally, Amnesty International Belgium and UNICEF Belgium offered workshops and remained available online to answer Scout leaders' questions and doubts via Zoom. As part of the campaign, we also created a Facebook event for Scouts to share their experiences and ask questions.

On the weekends between November 15 to December 15, Scout leaders were invited to implement the activities with their Scout groups. 

We participated in the "Marathon des lettres" organised by Amnesty International around December 10 on the occasion of Human Rights Day. Scouts wrote letters to authorities supporting 10 people whose rights are being violated and/or in danger around the world.

A Scout reads a paper that guides the activity on Human Rights.
Copyright
Les Scouts

For this campaign, you collaborated with UNICEF Belgium, Amnesty International Belgium and Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant, how was the partnership created?

It is not easy to talk about Human Rights if Scout leaders don’t have knowledge about the topic. We started contacting organisations in Brussels who work on the topic of Human Rights to receive advise on how to approach the topic. They offered their support and after some communication exchanges we created a partnership where they got more involved.

To whom it was addressed?

All age groups were involved. Before implementing activities with children and youth, we shared a training package for leaders. Following Amnesty’s recommendation, we created materials for each age group. Children from 6 to 12 years old would focus on understanding children rights while youth from 13 to 18 years old would work on Human Rights. 

And the campaign was well received.

We were so happy! We were expecting 25 groups to enrol and in the end a total, 71 groups joined which mean more than 2,400 participants.

It's great to hear that you are committed to promoting human rights. Are you planning to keep tackling the topic in the future?

December 10th is celebrated globally as Human Rights Day, and it's an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about human rights and take action to support these issues. We will partner with Amnesty International to share the marathon letter activity as an effective way to advocate for human rights.

In addition to supporting human rights, we want to focus on LGBTQ+ rights and diversity and inclusion is an important aspect of promoting human rights. By working towards greater inclusivity and diversity, we can create a more just and equitable society.