This year, the Overture Diversity Network Meeting 2025 of the European regions of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the World Association of Girls Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGGS) will be hosted by the National Organisation of Romanian Scouts.
The event will occur in Bucharest, Romania, from 6 to 8 June 2025.
Description and objectives
Overture Diversity Network meetings aim to strengthen the understanding of diversity and inclusion within the European Scout Region and the Europe Region WAGGGS, focusing on key themes to support the delivery of an exciting and educational programme for participants to learn and enjoy. This is achieved through sharing knowledge and experiences, plenary sessions, covering essential diversity and inclusion principles within a range of topics detailed in the programme section below.
The event aims to empower participants with a broader understanding of diversity and inclusion, connecting community participation, supporting groups in situations of vulnerability, neurodiversity, mental health and wellbeing, a deep dive into the Messengers of Peace programme, Peace Education and World Scouting Diversity & Inclusion Data Report.
Date and Venue
The meeting will be held at Complexul Cultural Sportiv Studențesc Tei, roughly 14 km from Henri Coandă International Airport, Bucharest.
Complexul Cultural Sportiv Studențesc Tei
30 Oltețului Street
București 023818
Romania
Location: Google Maps
The meeting will start at 14:00 EET on Friday, June 6, 2025. Participants should aim to arrive before 11:00 EET. The event will close at 13:00 EET on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Participants’ Profile
The Overture Diversity Network Meeting is open to representatives of National Scout Organizations (NSOs) and National Scout Associations (NSAs) of the European Scout Region of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), and representatives of Member Organizations (MOs) and Component Associations (CAs) of the Europe Region of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Participants should be familiar with diversity and inclusion, and how it can be implemented within their association. They should also be eager to learn, share experiences and be open to different ways of Scouting and Guiding.
Language
The working language of the Overture Diversity Network Meeting is English to facilitate all participant exchanges. Being able to communicate in that language is essential to participate.
Participation Fee
Fee options for this event are as follows:
- Category A: EUR 95
[Cat. A=Republic of Moldova]
- Category B = EUR 105
[Cat. B= Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine]
- Category C: EUR 115
[Cat. C = Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia]
- Category D: EUR 125
[Cat. D = All other countries not specified above in the European Scout Region]
Fees include indoor accommodation, food and activities only. Travel is not included. If you require an additional night's accommodation before or after the event, there will be an extra charge of EUR 20 for indoor accommodation.
Payment details will be sent via email upon registration. Payment is required in full by 20 May 2025 at the latest.
Registration
Applications are now open and will close at 23:59 BST on Sunday, 12 May 2025. Applications received after this deadline may not be considered. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dgR4Jg4bpusGiX0ZUCxVbfQV9AY12ZklEKZjIc1KN-A/edit
What documents do you need for your application?
Your application requires:
1. An endorsement letter from your organisation’s International Commissioner
Travel and visa arrangements
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Romania. A valid document for crossing the state border is needed. If you require a visa for Romania, we can assist you with the process.
Once you have booked, we will provide additional information to help with travel. Travel arrangements should only be made once the Host Team has confirmed your participation. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance.
Insurance
The European Scout Region and the Europe Region WAGGGS do not cover the participants' insurance during the event or their travel to and from the venue. Please note that it is the exclusive responsibility of the Associations to check and ensure that participants are covered by insurance (illness, accident, repatriation).
Programme
The Overture Meeting 2025 programme will focus on several areas over the weekend, delivered as a combination of plenary sessions, with the main topics being:
- Creating an Inclusive Space, ensuring community participation: SCOUT EDU HUB
- Social inclusion, supporting refugees and groups in situations of vulnerability through the Scout programme
- World Scouting Diversity & Inclusion Data Report
- Reaching children and young people from lower-income areas through Scouting activities
- Through Diversity and Inclusion towards Mental Health and Well-being
- Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion through Peace Education
- Accessible and Neurodiverse Scouting
The plenary sessions will feature the expertise of staff and volunteers engaged in diversity and inclusion (from WAGGGS, WOSM, and other organisations), while the hosted workshop sessions will empower participants to craft their own learning experiences.
We will host an international evening on Saturday and would like you to bring along a sample of things from your country and Association, so please feel free to bring posters, flyers, badges, games, food, or drinks to show and share if you wish.
Should you have questions or require additional information, please get in touch with Daniela Stroia ([email protected]); Florina Pauleti ([email protected]), Host Team; or Graham Coulson ([email protected]), Overture Diversity Network Ambassador.