Empowering young Arab Scout leaders
History was made in July 2023 when 32 young women and men from 13 countries participated in the Arab Scout Region’s first International Leadership Training, a transformative solution to engage more youth in decision-making by equipping them with leadership skills to lead positive global change, foster inclusivity, sustainability, and build bridges among people.
Why is this important, what did they do, and how is the Foundation supporting this?
“It started with the belief that we could change things, that we could challenge the situation in the Region and form a new generation of leaders, empowering them with the skills, confidence and vision they need to be able to lead the Scout Movement in its governance structure in the Region and support each other along the way. This is the beginning of an adventure where young people in the Region are trusted to be proactive in shaping the future of Scouting!” Sara Rita Kattan, ILT Course Director & Vice-Chairperson, World Scout Committee
Scouting equips young people with leadership and life skills through a unique programme undertaken in local Scout groups. The International Leadership Training (ILT) takes this to another level, training young leaders from diverse countries and cultures and empowering them to take on a much more active leadership role in Scouting in their country, region and civil society!
Drawing inspiration from similar models in the Interamerica, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions, 32 young leaders from the Arab Region joined the International Leadership Training in Ismalia, Egypt, 9–16 July 2023, led by a planning team of 13 youth leaders and 7 adult members, with additional support from the Interamerica Region.
Vital skills for leadership and life
ILT equipped these young leaders with the skills to lead in a wide variety of contexts, inside and outside of Scouting, at all levels. Topics included value-based decisions critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, diversity and inclusion, and emotional intelligence, through which they developed four distinct sets of competencies:
- People skills: Skills in communication, meaningful dialogue, and engaging with different groups.
- Self-management skills: The ability to reflect, be resilient, have integrity, engage in ongoing learning, self-motivation, and to lead by example.
- Visionary skills: The capacity to picture things differently, and to establish a common vision, Scouting’s purpose, and work towards it.
- Management skills: Strong skills in effective planning, organisation, constructive approaches, developing empathy and the ability to actively listen and empower implementation and project development.
“It was a great opportunity for us, as youth, to go through the extraordinary experience of the International Leadership Training. It made us confident that the Region values youth engagement as its highest strategic priority, and we now feel that we are much more qualified and upskilled for our roles and responsibilities.”
Long term plans and success
To firmly support and imbed sustainable youth engagement in decision-making at all levels in the Arab Region, the aim is for this training to take place on an annual basis, and to be rolled out in further locations regionally and nationally.
The first edition generated a great deal of coverage and support from Scouts across the Region and further afield and, so far, participants and trainers from this first Arab Scout ILT have taken on leading roles in over 50 community projects. We’re all keen to see the longer-term impact in this region and support for these young participants to meaningfully contribute to strategic plans and leadership at the national, regional and global levels.
The Interamerican ILT Legacy
Across the Atlantic Ocean, in the Interamerican Region, the impact of 10 years of ILT is unquestionable, with ILT ‘alumni’ in leadership roles at national and regional level, inside and outside of Scouting. This is documented in the Interamerican Leadership Training Evaluation (2020), which measured the reactions, learning and behaviour of 542 participants.
Key finding included a strong multiplier effect with 81% going on to train Scout leaders in their own National Scout Organisation, and 43% of respondents stated that ILT skills acquired had supported their employability, helping them apply for and obtain a job. Participants are active in national, regional and global Scouting leadership positions, in all areas from governance to programme to global advocacy and partnerships.
“In 2017, I attended the Interamerica Leadership Training in Quito, Ecuador, and it was truly a life-changing experience. I was also able to learn about important topics like leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and conflict management, all knowledge that I continue to use in my daily life today, inside and outside of Scouting. ILT gave me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone, and as a result, I have become a better leader at the local level, an advocate for change at the national level, a representative of my NSO at the regional level, and now I’m a Youth Advisor to the World Scout Committee. I am a voice for all young people of World Scouting. Do not miss out on your opportunity to attend ILT!”
“ILT has not just helped me in Scouting; it has benefitted my professional career. […] The teachings and lessons learned from ILT have helped me be a better people leader through empathy, understanding my peers and subordinates and using the lessons in real-life scenarios. I currently work in emergency planning, which requires a high degree of leadership when guiding staff members during an exercise or an activation. The skills that ILT taught me, such as understanding emotional intelligence, are critical to such operations.”
“ILT was a transformative experience that empowered me to embrace many leadership roles within Scouting and my professional career. From becoming the youngest International Commissioner in my country to advocating for Scouts worldwide, ILT has equipped me with invaluable, transferrable skills. As the Youth Representative for World Scouting, I am actively involved in United Nations’ high-level events amplifying the voices of young people on a global scale with a strong commitment to advocating for meaningful change. This training not only shaped my path but also enabled me to make a tangible impact in my local community and far beyond.”
“ILT has built so many incredible leaders in the Interamerican Region and beyond. I am thrilled I get to work alongside them and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the programme!”
International Leadership Training: A funding priority
The Arab Region ILT and the most recent Interamerican Leadership Training has been made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Alwaleed Philanthropies via the World Scout Foundation. Early iterations of the Interamerican Leadership Training from 2014 onwards were kindly supported by individual BP Fellows and Messengers of Peace, also via the World Scout Foundation.
We are working hard to secure additional support for the programme in the Africa, Arab, Asia-Pacific and Interamerican Regions (2024–2025+) and also to replicate this success at a national level. If you are motivated to invest in leadership and youth-led change, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
