The Symposium is a significant event for the European Scout Region. It looks back on what was achieved during the Triennium, what is hoped to be achieved by the end of the Triennium, what needs to change, and what will be done in future Triennium. The event will help set the agenda for work leading to developing the Regional Scout Plan for 2025-2028.
Aim/Objectives
The Symposium aims to involve National Scout Organizations, through their key decision-makers, in preparing an overview of the strategic direction for the European Scout Region for the period 2025-2028 and discussing other matters of concern to the Region.
During the Symposium, National Scout Organizations will set the scene for a new Regional Scout Plan, consulting on the suggested draft plan and contributing to its further development,
by
- looking into the current progress of the existing plan,
- considering the new Strategy for Scouting and the WOSM Planning Framework,
- considering the regional analysis,
- considering the resources of the Region,
- considering innovations in methodology,
- ensuring space to align the needs of our region with the world strategy.
Outcomes of the meeting
The outcomes of the European Scout Symposium are expected to constitute key elements in developing the Regional Scout Plan 2025-2028, which the 25th European Scout Conference in Vienna will vote on.
Dates and Venue
The European Scout Symposium will be held at Backagården in Höör, Sweden. For more information about the venue, please visit Backagården’s website.
The venue will accommodate participants in single, double, and triple rooms in either the hotel or cabin part of the venue. Please see the pricing section below for the different rooms.
We will ask for your preferred rooming option during registration. Please note that we might redirect you to a different and/or more expensive option due to the limited number of rooms for each option. Please note also that based on your selection, we reserve the right to accommodate you together with participants from other NSOs/NSAs.
Arrivals are expected on Friday, 14 March 2025, to start the programme at 17:00 CET. Dinner will be provided on the arrival day following the first session. Departures are expected following the event's closing and lunch on Sunday, 16 March 2025, at 14:00 CET.
Upon confirmation, participants will receive detailed travel information. The venue is close to Höör Train Station, which has train connections to the main train stations of Copenhagen, Malmö, Stockholm, and Copenhagen Airport. The nearest intercity bus station is located in Lund, with further bus connections every 30 minutes. The nearest airport in Sweden to the venue is the airport of Malmö, and the best train connection runs from the Copenhagen Airport in Denmark.
Participants’ Profile
The event is open to key national decision-makers, such as Chief Volunteers, International Commissioners, Chief Executives, and those in charge of the National Strategic Plan / Strategy - if/when they exist or equivalent position holders.
NSOs can register up to 2 participants, and NSAs can register 1 participant each. Any remaining spots will be divided to ensure the region's diversity is represented at the event. We encourage you to keep youth participation as a deciding factor when evaluating the potential profiles in your delegation.
Language
The working language of the European Scout Symposium is English to facilitate all exchanges among participants. Effective communication in that language is essential to participation.
Registration and Participation Fee
Interested participants are requested to register via Smartsheet by 7 February 2025. All participants must be endorsed by the International Commissioner of the NSO/NSA.
Please find here the registration link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9b414ae994d34c80a407849235eb8a3a
The venue can accept a maximum of 104 participants. Priority will be given to having the largest number of countries represented but no less than 1 participant per NSA or 2 per NSO, whichever is larger. NSOs/NSAs might be asked to prioritise their registrations to ensure the diversity of the Region is represented at the event.
Following the registration deadline, participants will receive a confirmation email and information letter. Please start booking your travel only once we have confirmed your participation.
The fee per person for the European Scout Symposium 2025 is:
- Single room: 410 EUR
- Double room, 360 EUR
- Triple room, 350 EUR
- Cabin, 300 EUR
The fee covers accommodation, meals, programme, and coffee breaks for the full duration of the event. As per practice, and upon the decision of the European Scout Committee to ensure financial support to those needing it, National Scout Organizations (not participants) can request support in confidentiality via the following form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/feafbf237f914c968529ad4100c16329
Cancellation
You can cancel without penalty until 13 February 2025. After that date, the fee will be invoiced to the National Scout Organizations.
Visa and Travel Arrangements
Confirmed participants will be responsible for making their travel arrangements. Please DO NOT book your flights or trains before receiving a confirmation letter from the European Scout Region, in which more information about the logistics will be provided.
Please let us know in the event’s online registration form if you need a visa to access Sweden.
Based on your travel itinerary, you might also enter Denmark if choosing Copenhagen Airport (CPH), as it is the best connected to the venue.
Insurance
The European Scout Region of the WOSM does not cover participants' risks during the event or travel to or from the venue. Please note that it is the exclusive responsibility of the participant’s national association to check and ensure that the participant's risks are covered by insurance (illness, accidents, repatriation, etc.).
More Information and Contact
The draft Agenda will be released with the participation confirmation no later than 14 February 2025. If you have any questions or require further information about the event, please contact Louise Lundbye ([email protected]).