GLB-C37-2024
Dear Friends,
Almost seven and a half years ago, when I had the honour of taking on the role of Secretary General of our Scout Movement, I set a clear objective for myself, along with a timeline to achieve it.
My objective was to help transform the way we work, expand our outreach, deepen our impact, and enable millions more young people in more countries to benefit from the transformative learning experiences in Scouting. My timeline was also clear: to support our Movement in delivering Vision 2023 over two trienniums and position World Scouting for the future as a vibrant and growing Movement with a new vision and tools for the next decade. Today, I feel that my mission has been largely fulfilled, and that the timeline has offered the right horizon to see change and chart a new chapter for a Movement of our scale.
It is with a great sense of gratitude to all of you that I share my decision to depart from my role as Secretary General in October 2024. While this decision aligns with the timeline I had always envisioned, my priority over the past months was to ensure the delivery of the World Scout Conference, the adoption of a bold new vision and strategy, a refreshed brand, the development of a new structure for the World Scout Bureau that is fit for the future, and to support the initial onboarding of a new World Scout Committee. I am especially grateful to the Chairperson and the members of the World Scout Committee for their trust and understanding.
Lord Baden-Powell’s lessons in leadership are not limited to founding Scouting but also extend to knowing when to transition. I see change as an invitation to embrace new opportunities while always cherishing the unity of our Movement, especially in a world increasingly marked by divisions. The intergenerational and intercultural elements of Scouting go far beyond words. As our new vision highlights, Scouting is a “transformative experience” that I hope more young people and adults will have the chance to experience. I am proud that together we have transformed World Scouting, seeing the largest growth period by reaching 57 million Scouts in 176 countries.
My friends, I will know few greater honours in my life than the opportunity to serve our Movement as Secretary General. I would like to thank my colleagues at the World Scout Bureau, successive World and Regional Scout Committees’ Chairpersons and members, and the many volunteers I have had the honour to work with. I thank you for your trust and friendship. You are truly inspirational.
With an able and experienced deputy, a reinvigorated and united Senior Management Team, and outstanding, passionate professionals at all levels of the World Scout Bureau, I am confident that the support for our Movement will be in great hands. I will also be working with the Chairperson and members of the World Scout Committee in the coming days to facilitate a smooth transition.
While I will be announcing my destination soon, the only appropriate announcement I have today is that I will depart from professional Scouting to join the over 5 million grassroots volunteers supporting our cause of making the world a better place. For my daughter, Leila, her peers, and generations to come, let’s keep Scouting!
Thank you,
Ahmad
Read the full news story on World Scouting’s website (Français / Español / عربي).