The Scouting community is deeply saddened by the passing of Stewart Hawkins who was a lifelong member of the Scout Movement. Stewart served as the International Commissioner of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, as well as Chairman of the European Scout Committee and later the Chairman of the European Scout Foundation. He was especially involved in assisting the rebirth of Scouting in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
 
Stewart joined Scouting when he was at the Charterhouse School in southern England, where he was influenced by one of his teachers, Wilfred Noyce, a noted mountaineer and published poet, who also served as a Scout Leader. 
 
In 2001, Stewart was awarded the Bronze Wolf Award, which was presented at the 36th World Scout Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece. Throughout his Scouting life, Stewart showed great leadership and a firm grasp and commitment to the service of young people through the development of a strong and vibrant Youth Programme. 
 
With a desire to encourage more people to contribute to Scouting at all levels, Stewart took on the role of chairing the European Scout Foundation. This included reviewing the Foundation’s operations and strengthening the relationships between the Foundation and the European Scout Committee – the results of which have now been implemented for the benefit of the European Region and World Scouting more broadly. 
 
Stewart Hawkins was committed over many years to the values, ideals and practice of Scouting, balancing his dedication with professional demands and family matters. His service was most notable in support of the European Scout Region’s “Children for the Future” project implemented in South Eastern Europe.
 
In later years, Stewart settled in France where he was very active in community life, while maintaining links around the world with so many friends and colleagues.