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An Overview of the World Organization of the Scout Movement

The World Organization of the Scout Movement is an international, non-governmental organization which is composed of three principle parts:

• the World Scout Conference (also, see the World Scout Events section)
• the World Scout Committee
• the World Scout Bureau

World Scout Conference

The Conference is the "general assembly" of Scouting. It is the governing organ of the World Organization and is composed of all members. It meets every three years.

Members of the World Organization are national Scout organizations which have been recognized by the World Scout Conference. Only one organization is recognized in each country. In some countries there are national Federations which include more than one Scout association.

Member organizations are represented at World Scout Conferences by a maximum of six delegates. Observers authorized by their national Scout organization are also eligible to register and attend.

The aim of the Conference is to promote the unity, integrity and development of Scout Movement worldwide. This is achieved through a structure and content designed to:

• facilitate exchanges of ideas and information among members
• formulate the general policy
• consider reports and recommendations from the World Scout Committee and from member organizations
• conduct the formal business of the World Organization - elections, applications for membership, registration fees, amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, etc.

World Scout Committee

The World Scout Committee is the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. It is responsible for the implementation of the resolutions of the World Scout Conference and for acting on its behalf between its meetings.

The Committee is composed of 14 members. Twelve, each from different countries, are elected for six-year terms. The members do not represent their country but the interests of the Movement as a whole. The Secretary General, and the Treasurer, of the World Organization of the Scout Movement are ex-officio members of the Committee. The chairmen of the regional Scout committees participate in the World Scout Committee meetings in a consultative capacity.

The Committee meets twice a year, usually in Geneva, Switzerland. Its Steering Committee, consisting of the Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen, and the Secretary General meet as needed.

The Committee has two main sub-committees: the Finance and Support Group, and the Educational Methods Group.

World Scout Bureau

The World Scout Bureau is the secretariat of the World Organization. The Bureau is directed by the Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The Secretary General is appointed by the World Committee and is the chief administrative officer of the Organization.

History and Location
The Bureau was first established in London, England in 1920. It moved to Ottawa, Canada in 1959, and to Geneva, Switzerland in 1968. Regional offices are located as follows, with the principle office being listed first:

• Africa Region: Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal and Capetown, South Africa
• Arab Region: Cairo, Egypt
• Asia Pacific Region: Manila, Philippines
• Eurasia Region: Yalta-Gurzuf, Ukraine, and Moscow, Russian Federation
• European Region: Geneva, Switzerland, and Brussels, Belgium
• Interamerican Region: Santiago, Chile

Functions
As the secretariat of the World Organization, the World Bureau has a number of Constitutionally-defined functions.

• It assists the World and Regional Scout Conferences, and the World and Regional Committees and their subsidiary bodies in the fulfillment of their functions. This includes the preparation of meetings and the provision of the necessary services to implement the decisions of the various bodies.
• It provides services for the promotion of Scouting throughout the world.
• It maintains relations with national Scout organizations and helps them develop Scouting in their country.
• It promotes the development of Scouting in countries where it does not exist.
• It supervises the organization of international and regional Scout events such as world and regional jamborees.
• It maintains relations with international organizations whose activities are concerned with youth matters.

The World Bureau carries out these functions in a number of different ways:

• providing the support for committees, task forces and working groups
• developing and conducting courses in the field
• providing advice and giving technical assistance
• preparing publications
• publishing regular newsletters of Scouting news

The World Bureau's operations are financed partly from the annual registration fee paid by national Scout organizations, based on their membership. Other support comes from foundations, corporations, development agencies, and individuals.

Support also comes from the World Scout Foundation, which is building a capital (endowment) fund. Contributions to the Foundation are invested permanently to produce a regular income for the benefit of the World Organization. The Foundation also receives non-capital donations for international Scouting.