Circular No. GLB-C09-2022
Dear friends,
With this Circular, I am pleased to share an update about our ongoing Safe from Harm work as we continue to make child and youth safeguarding one of our highest priorities for the Movement, and move closer to bringing all 172 Member Organizations into compliance with the new Safe from Harm requirements for WOSM membership.
As part of the implementation of the World Triennial Plan 2021-2024, we have now initiated a number of Safe from Harm projects comprised of staff and volunteers at the world and Regional levels.
Following the decision taken at the 42nd World Scout Conference, one of the key projects this triennium will help establish and rollout a new system to ensure that we support all National Scout Organizations (NSOs) in becoming compliant with the new Safe from Harm requirements for WOSM membership. This includes conducting an external review of WOSM’s Safe from Harm policies and framework to ensure they meet the highest international standards for child and youth safeguarding, and conducting research across the Movement to collect data, insights and good practices to inform how we better support NSOs to strengthen Safe from Harm practices, policies and programmes at the national level.
Other projects will focus on improving the implementation of Safe from Harm during World and Regional events, and exploring how we can improve the targeted delivery services and support to NSOs through WOSM Services in collaboration with our Regional Support Centres.
To continue to put a spotlight on our Safe from Harm work, once again this year World Scouting will be dedicating a full week in May to raise awareness about the importance of child and youth safeguarding, and showcase how Scouting is working to create a safer and more inclusive experience for young people and volunteers.
Safe from Harm Week, which will take place from 16 to 21 May, will feature a communications campaign, Scouts Live shows, and social media storytelling highlighting action from across the Movement. A webinar will also be hosted by WOSM for Safe from Harm Coordinators on 21 May to share good child and youth safeguarding practices being implemented by NSOs.
For more information about Safe from Harm or to receive support from a WOSM Consultant, please visit the Safe from Harm page on the Members Portal, make a request via WOSM Services or review the many Safe from Harm resources on the platform, including a Safe from Harm Self-Assessment Tool.
If you would like more information about any of the updates provided in this Circular, please contact Pauline Grangette, Manager of Child Protection and Safeguarding at the World Scout Bureau at [email protected].
Yours in Scouting,
Ahmad Alhendawi
Secretary General
World Organization of the Scout Movement