The commitment to the protection and well-being of young people in Scouting never wavers. The start of this year has been defined by a robust training agenda, strengthening the implementation of the Safe from Harm policy across the Interamerican Region.
Guatemala assesses progress and charts the way forward
From 30 January to 1 February, the national team of the Asociación de Scouts de Guatemala met for an in-person Safe from Harm assessment, supported by two consultants from the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Throughout the weekend, working sessions were held to evaluate the Association's progress against international best practices.
The team developed an action plan to integrate Safe from Harm across all areas of the organisation and reviewed both existing and upcoming protection documents created by the national Safe from Harm team. This capacity-building initiative provided an excellent opportunity for the national team to delve deeper into policy elements and concrete strategies for effective national implementation, guided by a team of expert volunteers in Safe from Harm and GSAT (Global Scout Active Support/Global Support Assessment Tool).
Panama fosters a culture of active listening and safe reporting
Only a few days later, from 6 to 8 February, the Asociación de Scouts de Panamá hosted a training workshop focused on Listening Ears, reporting procedures, and incident management. The event included participants from Scouts de Colombia, alongside national team members, and Group and District Scout Leaders from Panama.
This specialised training prepared volunteers to become safe and confidential points of contact, equipping them to listen to, support, and guide young people needing to report risks or vulnerabilities. Additionally, the national procedures developed over recent months were presented, with support from a Safe from Harm consultant.
Listening Ears are a cornerstone of the Scout Movement’s protection system, creating safe spaces where every voice can be heard with empathy and without judgement.
These workshops demonstrate that Safe from Harm implementation continues to gain momentum across the Region, reaffirming Scouting’s commitment to creating safe environments for all.