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World Organization of the Scout Movement

Website: http://www.scout.org/

Category: Youth

Year of Foundation: 1920

Location of Foundation: London, UK

Location of Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

Brief Description: The World Organization of the Scout Movement describes itself as 'an independent, worldwide, non-profit and non-partisan organisation which serves the Scout Movement. Its purpose is to promote unity and the understanding of Scouting's purpose and principles; while facilitating its expansion and development.' (Source: www.scout.org; accessed 1 February 2010).

Founding Rationales:

Robert Baden Powell, founder of the scout movement, emphasised that it was 'a movement not an organisation: the difference between the two being that in one the motive power is the spirit from within: an organisation on the other hand is directed by regulations from without.'

Nevertheless, it was decided during the first international scout jamboree held in London in 1920 that 'an International Scout Bureau of Information be established at London.'

Sources: Det Danske Spejderkorps, 'Jamboree 1924 Denmark' (Copenhagen, 1924), p. 3; 'The Jamboree Book, 1920' (London, 1920), p. 91.

Evolution of Membership:

World Organization of the Scout Movement Membership Chart

Source: www.scout.org; accessed 1 February 2010