World Scouting Policy Review

World Scouting Policy Review

 

Scouting is vibrant and diverse, shaped by the unique cultures and communities it serves around the world. But what keeps us united? Our shared Principles and the Scout Method bring us together, while the World Policies offer guidance and support to National Scout Organisations (NSOs) as they deliver Scouting in their own ways.

World Scouting is reviewing four core policies that together influence how we deliver Scouting: youth programme, youth leadership, adult involvement, and safeguarding.

This is an opportunity to strengthen how they work together as an interconnected system supporting quality Scouting experiences, meaningful youth leadership, empowered adult volunteers, and safe environments for everyone, ensuring policies remain relevant, practical and aligned with our Strategy for Scouting. 

NSOs, young people, adult leaders, and volunteers are invited to follow the review, explore the emerging thinking, share feedback, and help shape the policies that will guide our Movement into the future.

Policies under review

 

 

 Youth Programme

Youth Involvement

Adults in Scouting

Safe from Harm

 

What is a policy?

Policies are a purpose-driven, values-based set of principles that define the Scout Movement’s shared aims and directions in a specific area. They serve as an institutional tool for long-term change, providing stability, guiding innovation, and remaining adaptable to evolving contexts.

How will they work together?

World Scouting's renewed policies will work together as a connected framework for education, youth leadership, adult engagement, and safeguarding. Together they will:

  • Promote shared values and priorities across the Scout Movement.
  • Clarify the roles of young people and adults throughout their Scouting journey.
  • Align approaches and monitoring to strengthen policy implementation among NSOs.

The new policies are grounded in Scouting’s mission, WOSM Constitution, the Essential Characteristics of Scouting, the Roadmap for Education in Scouting, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other relevant global trends and priorities.

Who do the policies support?

The policy review aims to clarify who our policies serve, the experiences and environments they should enable, and the conditions needed to support each group.

  • Young people are the primary beneficiaries of Scouting and should experience safe, inclusive, high-quality education programmes with opportunities for skills development, participation and leadership.
  • Adults in Scouting should be supported with training, recognition, clear roles, and opportunities for personal growth, skills development and leadership.

Together, the policies help create safe, respectful, and inclusive environments where everyone can learn, contribute, and have a meaningful experience through Scouting.

Who has contributed so far?

Through surveys, targeted interviews, focus groups and webinars, National Scout Organizations, young people, and adult leaders from across the Movement have already contributed their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to shape the development of the four policies.

 

Supporting resources

Explore resources, reports, strategies, and tools that have informed the policy review process and can support conversations among National Scout Organizations to contribute to policy development.

Key milestones

Contact the Policy Review Teams

Each policy review is supported by a dedicated team of World Scouting staff and volunteers who are coordinating the review, consultations, and drafting process. Contact the project co-leads for more information about each policy. 

 

Youth Programme Policy 

 

  

Youth Involvement Policy 

 

Adults in Scouting Policy 

 

  

Safe From Harm Policy