Module 19 International

Aim

To provide participants with an international focus appropriate to their Section and an appreciation of the global nature of Scouting.

Session 1

  Explain the worldwide nature of Scouting and the role of the World Badge.

List the benefits of international activities to young people.

Task (5 minutes)

• Identify the countries in which Scouting does not operate, and suggest reasons why.

The countries are Andorra, Afghanistan, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Myanmar.

THE WORLD SCOUT EMBLEM - ITS MEANING

Examples of work undertaken by Scouts around the World • Leprosy screening in India protecting more than one million people • Malaria treatment in Angola helping 700,000 • Initiatives in east Africa and Chile taking thousands of children off the streets • AIDS education across Africa helping to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS

Task (5 minutes)

• Discuss any experience you have of these projects or similar

It’s a small world

Task (5 minutes)

Think about the following questions: • Who has been abroad on holiday?

• Who has been outside Europe?

• How many have tried Sushi or other food from another country?

• Which countries do your tea and coffee come from?

• Have you heard anyone speaking a foreign language in the past week? Past month?

Task (10 minutes)

• Suggest ways in which young people today benefit from living in a global society. These can be practical or personal benefits.

Summary

So we need as leaders to help to ensure that young people grow in their awareness of world issues. This can help individuals to: • Look outside themselves • Become more aware • Consider how to develop their responsibility to the world and its citizens

Session 2

• Explain how international aspects feature in the programme.

• Suggest ways of obtaining resources, ideas and material to support the international aspects of their Section's programme.

• Include international aspects (including visits and expeditions as appropriate) as an integral part of their Section's programming.

Task (8 minutes + 8 minutes report back)

• Mind map one of the topics from the list.

International Programme ideas

• Exploring the World around us • Global • International

Task (5 minutes)

• On large sheets of paper under each section heading, write up ideas of how ‘international’ might be interpreted in each age group

Task (8 minutes + 5 minutes report back)

• Create an outline plan for a different Sectional programme or event based on one of the ideas suggested previously. Produce this programme on flipchart paper.

International Links

Task (5 minutes)

• Suggest other methods of establishing a link, for example with local community links. Choose one method and think about how this could work in practice in your geographical area or Section.

Suggestions: Local community links •Faith community links •Travelling business people •Links established on holiday •Town twinning links •Internet links •Meeting groups at UK organised international camps •Family links through relations living in another country

Summary

Whatever the age of a young person or adult, an international dimension to the programme can be: • Fun • Thought provoking • Interesting • Motivating • And in some cases, life changing

Session 3

• Outline the major international Scouting events and activities and explain how young people can become involved in them.

Opportunities for Scouts of different countries to get together: • An expedition to another country • Taking part in an international camp • An exchange visit with a partner Group • A social event such as visiting a theme park overseas • Camping at a Scout campsite in another country • A development project abroad • Taking part in a package tour for Scouts • Participating in one of the European Region initiatives • Working on a voluntary programme such as the International Camp staff Programme

Task (7 minutes)

• As a group, share any experiences you may have of meeting Scouts from another country and any experience of Jamborees.

Task (8 minutes + 2 minutes report back)

• Select one of the international opportunities listed and for each Section, work through the fact sheet Thinking of Going Abroad (FS260018)

Opportunities for Scouts of different countries to get together: • An expedition to another country • Taking part in an international camp • An exchange visit with a partner Group • A social event such as visiting a theme park overseas • Camping at a Scout campsite in another country • A development project abroad • Taking part in a package tour for Scouts • Participating in one of the European Region initiatives • Working on a voluntary programme such as the International Camp staff Programme

Summary

Just one Scout making friends with and talking to someone from another country or culture can make a big difference. It is like a pebble dropped in a pond – the ripples can spread a long way