Mehdi Ben Khelil from Tunisia, a lifelong Scout since age six and member of the World Scout Committee between 2017 and 2024, has been awarded the Bronze Wolf, the highest honour in World Scouting, recognising his decades of exceptional service to the Movement.
For the past two decades, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening Scouting both at the World and Regional levels, most notably during his two terms on the World Scout Committee. In this role, he contributed to strategic decisions that strengthened global communications, the development of a new Strategy for Scouting, supported stronger youth representation worldwide and provided thought leadership on WOSM’s first business development and fundraising strategy.
A passionate advocate for Scouting, Mehdi has also been deeply involved in World Scouting events. He played an instrumental role in the one-of-its-kind 42nd World Scout Conference, serving as liaison and member of its Steering Committee, working with the original host and later supporting the event’s transition to fully online following the outbreak of COVID-19. Over the years, he has been involved as a member of the planning team for the 10th World Scout Youth Forum held in Korea in 2008, contributed to several youth leadership initiatives at the World level, and represented World Scouting at major international gatherings, including World Scout Jamborees, the World Non-Formal Education Forum, and Arab Scout Conferences.
His involvement in international Scouting began in 2005, when he became the first Youth Advisor to the World Scout Committee from the Arab Region. Here, he contributed to several sub-committees and working groups, focusing on educational methods, spiritual development, and supporting children with special needs through Scouting.
At the regional level, Mehdi has served on both the Arab Region Membership Sub-committee and the Global Membership Task Force, contributing to the World Scouting’s membership reporting and facilitating regional consultations.
From 2011 to 2013, he took on the role of International Commissioner of the Tunisian Scouts, leading international cooperation and partnerships. During this time, he helped introduce global initiatives such as Messengers of Peace and the Scouts of the World Award at the national level, and was a driving force behind a long-standing partnership between Les Scouts Tunisiens and the Danish Scouts focused on youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement in Tunisia. In 2013, he coordinated Tunisia’s first Messengers of Peace activity, which brought together Scouts across the country to plant 1,000 trees in just one week. He also helped establish the first National Scout Youth Forum, strengthening youth participation in decision-making.
Today, Mehdi, a forensic pathology professor, continues to contribute to the Movement as a member of the leadership and safeguarding project team, which supports National Scout Organizations in strengthening leadership practices and safeguarding standards. In Tunisia, Mehdi also remains a respected and influential leader.
Through his commitment at the national, regional, and global levels, Mehdi’s dedication, leadership, and passion for Scouting make him a truly deserving recipient of the Bronze Wolf Award.