View source for World Organization of the Scout Movement

{{Short description|International Scout organization}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
| name =World Organization of the Scout Movement
| image = WOSM Logo 2024.svg
| caption =
| headquarters = {{plainlist|
World Scout Bureau: [[Geneva]], Switzerland
Secretary General's Office: [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia
}}
| country = Worldwide
| f-date = 1922<ref name="constitution" /><ref name="Colquhoun 1954" />
| founder =
| members = {{plainlist|
* 176 organizations<ref name="Albania176">{{Cite web |date=16 August 2024 |title=Scouting in Albania joins as the 176th Member Organization of World Scouting &#124; World Scouting |url=https://www.scout.org/news/news/scouting-albania-joins-176th-member-organization |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817080721/https://www.scout.org/news/news/scouting-albania-joins-176th-member-organization |archive-date=2024-08-17 |website=[[Scout.org]]}}</ref><ref name="MaliJoins">{{Cite web |date=9 June 2024 |title=Association des Scouts et Guides du Mali joins as 175th Member of World Scouting |url=https://www.scout.org/news/mali-scouts-joins-wosm |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement}}</ref>
* which have around 43 million participants (2021)<ref name="Final WOSM Census 2022">{{Cite web |date=31 May 2022 |title=Final WOSM Census 2022 |url=https://www.scout.org/sites/default/files/library_files/Final%20WOSM%20Census%202022.pdf}}</ref>
}}
| chiefscouttitle = Chair
| chiefscout = Daniël Corsen
| chiefscouttitle2 = Vice-Chairs
| chiefscout2 = Julius Kramer<br>Mori Cheng
| chiefscouttitle3 = Secretary General
| chiefscout3 = David Berg (Acting)
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
The '''World Organization of the Scout Movement''' ('''WOSM''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ʊ|z|əm}}) is the largest and, after the [[Order of World Scouts]] (formed in 1911), is the second-oldest international organization in the [[Scout Movement]], having been established in 1922.<ref name="constitution">{{Cite web |date=January 2011 |title=Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout Movement |url=http://scout.org/sites/default/files/library_files/WOSM_Constitution_EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230419/http://scout.org/sites/default/files/library_files/WOSM_Constitution_EN.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=23 February 2015 |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |page=3}}</ref><ref name="Colquhoun 1954">{{Cite book |last=Colquhoun, OBE |first=John Frederick |author-link=John Frederick Colquhoun |title=Running a Scout Group |publisher=The Boy Scouts Association |year=1954 |location=London |pages=198 |quote=the first International Conference was held in Paris in '1922', when Great Britain became one of the founder-members of the world organization.}}</ref> It has 176 members.<ref name="Albania176" /> These members are national scout organizations that founded WOSM or have subsequently been recognised by WOSM, which collectively have around 43 million participants.<ref name="Final WOSM Census 2022" />  Its operational headquarters is in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia, although it is legally based in [[Geneva]], Switzerland.

WOSM's stated mission is "to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the [[Scout Promise]] and [[Scout Law]], to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society".<ref name="mission2017">{{Cite web |year=2017 |title=Mission |url=https://www.scout.org/mission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206111742/https://www.scout.org/mission |archive-date=6 December 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017 |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="mission">{{Cite web |year=2007 |title=The Mission of Scouting |url=http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/mission_vision |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090629035914/http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/mission_vision |archive-date=29 June 2009 |access-date=30 May 2007 |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

WOSM operates through conferences of its member organization representatives, its committee and its full-time bureau, structured into regions. It is associated with three [[World Scout Centres]]. A [[World Scout Jamboree]] is held approximately every four years under its auspices and it organizes [[World Scout Moot]]s for 17- to 26-year-olds and previously organized [[World Scout Indaba]]s, a gathering for Scout leaders. The [[World Scout Foundation]] is a separately governed fund, supported by donations, for the development of WOSM associated programs.

WOSM is the counterpart of the [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] (WAGGGS).{{Explain|date=August 2024}}{{CN|date=August 2024}} It is a [[non-governmental organization]] with General [[Consultative Status]] to the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC).<ref name="wosmUN">{{Cite web |year=2016 |title=WOSM and the UN |url=https://www.scout.org/un |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621023258/https://www.scout.org/un |archive-date=21 June 2021 |access-date=29 July 2016 |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement}}</ref>

==History==
In 1920, a conference held during the [[1st World Scout Jamboree]] at Olympia, London agreed to create a Boy Scouts international bureau. An office was established at 25 [[Buckingham Palace Road]], London and [[The Scout Association|The Boy Scouts Association]] of the United Kingdom International Commissioner, [[Hubert S. Martin]], was appointed as honorary director. The bureau's principal task was to co-ordinate discussions and prepare a second international conference in Paris in 1922.<ref name="constitution" /><ref name="Colquhoun 1954" /> At the 1922 Paris conference, '''The International Conference of the Boy Scout Movement''' and its committee were constituted and took over the bureau in London.<ref name="Colquhoun 1954" />

In 1961, the organization's conference reconstituted the organization under the name '''World Organization of the Scout Movement''' (WOSM). Its International Conference of the Boy Scout Movement became WOSM's World Scout Conference ("conference"), its Boy Scouts International Committee became WOSM's World Scout Committee ("committee") and its Boy Scouts International Bureau became WOSM's World Scout Bureau ("bureau").<ref name="Kroonenberg">{{Cite book |last=Kroonenberg |first=Piet J. |author-link=Piet J. Kroonenberg |url=https://www.scouting.nl/downloads/referentiebibliotheek/historie/piet-j-kroonenberg/2338-undaunted/file |title=The Undaunted |date=March 2004 |publisher=Las Vegas International Scouting Museum |isbn=9780974647906 |edition=Integral Internet Edition, November 2011 |chapter=Chapter 2: International Scouting: Refugees, Displaced Persons and Exile Scouting |access-date=21 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220201229/https://www.scouting.nl/downloads/referentiebibliotheek/historie/piet-j-kroonenberg/2338-undaunted/file |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Member organizations ==

{{Main|List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members}}

=== Membership policy ===
WOSM's membership consists of its remaining founding member organizations and organizations recognized by WOSM as national scout organizations. WOSM's rules protect its founding and existing member organizations by permitting only one member organization in each country and locking-out all other Scout organizations from WOSM membership, recognition and participation no matter how worthy or large their membership.<ref name="constitution" /> Several member organizations are federations, some with different component groups divided on the basis of religion (e.g., France and Denmark), ethnic identification (e.g., Israel) or language (e.g., Belgium). However, WOSM has never required an existing member organization to federate with other Scout organizations in the country, in order to make WOSM more inclusive and representative. There are numerous [[Scouting and Guiding in Canada|Canadian Scout organizations]] but only one is a WOSM member organization (the Canadian branch of one of the organizations that founded WOSM) which has a French language affiliate which is thereby recognized by WOSM. Other than this inherent limitation on WOSM membership, the basis for WOSM membership includes adherence to WOSM's aims and principles and independence from political involvement on the part of each member organization.

=== Member organizations in non-sovereign territories ===
WOSM has member organizations in some non-sovereign territories.
*[[Aruba]] - [[Scouting Aruba]]: full member 
*[[Curaçao]], [[Sint Maarten]] and the [[Caribbean Netherlands]] (former [[Netherlands Antilles]]) - [[Scouting Antiano]]: full member 
*[[Hong Kong]] - [[The Scout Association of Hong Kong]]: full member 
*[[Macau]] - [[Associação de Escoteiros de Macau]]: full member
*[[French Polynesia]] - [[Conseil du Scoutisme polynésien]]: associate member 

=== Non-national members ===
WOSM historically recognized some non-national Scout organizations:
* "National" organizations operating outside their original homelands.  WOSM's conference admitted and recognised the exile Russian Scouts as the "Representatives of Russian Scouting in Foreign Countries" on 30 August 1922 and the Armenian Scouts in France were recognized as a "National Movement on Foreign Soil" on 30 April 1929.<ref name=Kroonenberg/>
* Small, non-voting associations. The [[International Boy Scouts of the Canal Zone]], a group in Panama with Scouts that claimed British and not Panamanian nationality was originally placed under the [[Boy Scouts of America]]'s [[Canal Zone Council]] but, in 1947, was transferred under WOSM's bureau.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wilson |first=John S. |author-link=J. S. Wilson |title=Scouting Round the World |publisher=Blandford Press |year=1959 |edition=first |location=London |pages=134 |chapter=The International Bureau Goes on the Road |quote="At Balboa we met up with Gunnar Berg and Ray Wyland of the B.S.A., also on their way to Bogota, and had a conference about the question of coloured Scouts in the Canal Zone, who claim British and not Panamanian nationality. It was agreed that they should be taken under the wing of the Canal Zone Council of the Boy Scouts of America, but ten years later they were transferred directly under WOSM's bureau as the International Boy Scouts of the Canal Zone."}}</ref> The group had over 900 members in 1957 and existed as a directly registered group until the late 60s.{{cn|date=April 2024}} The [[Boy Scouts of the United Nations]] began in 1945 and for years there was an active Boy Scouts of the United Nations with several troops at Parkway Village in New York City but only 14 members in 1959.{{cn|date=April 2024}}  Both the International Boy Scouts of the Canal Zone and the Boy Scouts of United Nations have long since disbanded.
* Directly registered "mixed-nationality Troops" were registered after discussions concerning such troops took place at WOSM's 3rd conference in 1924<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=J. S. |year=1948 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from BSIB Deputy Director |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref> at which WOSM's bureau was authorized to directly register such groups. It seems that the discussion at WOSM's 1924 conference was, at least in part, prompted by a letter to Baden-Powell from the Scoutmaster of one such troop in [[Yokohama]], Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Janning |first=Jos. |year=1967 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from IBS Scoutmaster |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref> [[International Boy Scouts, Troop 1|Janning's troop]] became the first troop directly registered by WOSM's bureau.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=R.T. |author-link=R.T. Lund |year=1955 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from BSIB Deputy Director |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref> Only a few troops were directly registered and the practice was soon discontinued with new "mixed" groups being encouraged to join the WOSM member organization of their country of residence. In 1955, only two such groups were still active, a troop in Iraq that disbanded that year,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=R.T. |author-link=R.T. Lund |year=1950 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from BSIB Deputy Director |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref> and the first group to be so registered, the [[International Boy Scouts, Troop 1|International Troop 1]] in Yokohama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kentropp |first=Keith E. |year=1972 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from BSIS |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=R.T. |author-link=R.T. Lund |year=1956 |title=Historical Documents - Letter from BSIB Deputy Director |url=http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134312/http://www.troop1.net/history/historical_docs.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |access-date=30 January 2013 |publisher=International Boy Scouts}}</ref> The only remaining directly registered Troop is the [[International Boy Scouts, Troop 1]] located in Yokohama, Japan.{{cn|date=April 2024}}
*Temporary recognition was extended to Scouts in displaced persons camps after [[World War II]]. In 1947, at WOSM's 11th conference the "[[Scouting in displaced persons camps|Displaced Persons Division]]" of WOSM's bureau was established to register and support Scouts in displaced person camps in Austria, Northern Italy, and Germany.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kroonenberg |first=Piet J. |author-link=Piet J. Kroonenberg |title=The Undaunted – The Survival and Revival of Scouting in Central and Eastern Europe |publisher=Oriole International Publications |year=1998 |isbn=2-88052-003-7 |location=Geneva |pages=42–43}}</ref> These Scouts did not receive the right of WOSM membership but gained recognition as Scouts under WOSM's bureau until they took up residence in a country that had a recognized national Scout organization, which they could join.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kroonenberg |first=Piet J. |author-link=Piet J. Kroonenberg |title=The Undaunted – The Survival and Revival of Scouting in Central and Eastern Europe |publisher=Oriole International Publications |year=1998 |isbn=2-88052-003-7 |location=Geneva |pages=43–46}}</ref> The D.P. Division was closed on 30 June 1950.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kroonenberg |first=Piet J. |author-link=Piet J. Kroonenberg |title=The Undaunted – The Survival and Revival of Scouting in Central and Eastern Europe |publisher=Oriole International Publications |year=1998 |isbn=2-88052-003-7 |location=Geneva |pages=45–46}}</ref>

==Structure==

===Conference===
WOSM's conference is its general meeting of member organizations' representatives which meet every three years, hosted by a member association. Each member organizations may send six delegates. The conference is usually preceded by the [[World Scout Youth Forum]].<ref name="World Scouting" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Laszlo Nagy (1921–2009) / Secretary General / World Bureau / Governance / Our Organisation / Home – World Organization of the Scout Movement |url=http://scout.org/en/our_organisation/governance/world_bureau/secretary_general/laszlo_nagy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926120551/http://scout.org/en/our_organisation/governance/world_bureau/secretary_general/laszlo_nagy |archive-date=26 September 2009}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Date !! Number
! Location
! Country !! Member Countries
! Host Candidate Countries
|-
| 1920 || Retrospectively referred to as the "First International Conference"
| [[London]]
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| 33
|rowspan=36|
|-
| 1922 || First International Conference (retrospectively referred to as the "Second")<ref name="Colquhoun 1954" />
| [[Paris]]
| {{flag|France}}
| 30
|-
| 1924 || Third International Conference
| [[Copenhagen]]
| {{flag|Denmark}}
| 34
|-
| 1926 || Fourth International Conference
| [[Kandersteg]]
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || 29
|-
| 1929 || Fifth International Conference
| [[Birkenhead]]
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 33
|-
| 1931 || Sixth International Conference
| [[Baden bei Wien]]
| {{flag|Austria}} || 44
|-
| 1933 || Seventh International Conference
| [[Gödöllő]]
| {{flag|Hungary|1920}} || 31
|-
| 1935 || Eighth International Conference
| [[Stockholm]]
| {{flag|Sweden}} || 28
|-
| 1937 || Ninth International Conference
| [[The Hague]]
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || 34
|-
| 1939 || 10th International Conference
| [[Edinburgh]]
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 27
|-
| 1947 || 11th International Conference
| [[Château de Rosny-sur-Seine]]
| {{flag|France}} || 32
|-
| 1949 || 12th International Conference
| [[Elvesæter]]
| {{flag|Norway}} || 25
|-
| 1951 || 13th International Conference
| [[Salzburg]]
| {{flag|Austria}} || 34
|-
| 1953 || 14th International Conference
| [[Vaduz]]
| {{flag|Liechtenstein}} || 35
|-
| 1955 || 15th International Conference
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]]
| {{flag|Canada|1921}} || 44
|-
| 1957 || 16th International Conference
| [[Cambridge]]
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 52
|-
| 1959 || 17th International Conference
| [[New Delhi]]
| {{flag|India}} || 35
|-
| 1961 || 18th International Conference
| [[Lisbon]]
| {{flag|Portugal}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 1960 |title=Moot 'Down Under' |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-feb-09-1960-1340968/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118220305/https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-feb-09-1960-1340968/ |archive-date=18 January 2022 |access-date=3 September 2019 |work=[[The Daily News (St. John's)|The Daily News]] |location=[[St. John's, Newfoundland]] |page=9 |via=[[NewspaperArchive.com]]}}</ref> || 50
|-
| 1963 || 19th World Scout Conference
| [[Rhodes (city)|Rhodes]]
| {{flag|Greece}} || 52
|-
| 1965 || 20th World Scout Conference
| [[Mexico City]]
| {{flag|Mexico}} || 59
|-
| 1967 || 21st World Scout Conference
| [[Seattle]]
| {{flag|United States}} || 70
|-
| 1969 || 22nd World Scout Conference
| [[Espoo]]
| {{flag|Finland}} || 64
|-
| 1971 || 23rd World Scout Conference
| [[Tokyo]]
| {{flag|Japan}} || 71
|-
| 1973 || 24th World Scout Conference
| [[Nairobi]]
| {{flag|Kenya}} || 77
|-
| 1975 || 25th World Scout Conference
| [[Lundtoft Municipality|Lundtoft]]
| {{flag|Denmark}} || 87
|-
| 1977 || 26th World Scout Conference
| [[Montreal]]
| {{flag|Canada}} || 81
|-
| 1979 || 27th World Scout Conference
| [[Birmingham]]
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 81
|-
| 1981 || 28th World Scout Conference
| [[Dakar]]
| {{flag|Senegal}} || 74
|-
| 1983 || 29th World Scout Conference
| [[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]] || {{flag|United States}}
| 90
|-
| 1985 || 30th World Scout Conference
| [[Munich]]
| {{flag|West Germany}} || 93
|-
| 1988 || 31st World Scout Conference
| [[Melbourne]]
| {{flag|Australia}} || 77
|-
| 1990 || 32nd World Scout Conference
| [[Paris]]
| {{flag|France}} || 100
|-
| 1993 || 33rd World Scout Conference
| [[Amphoe Sattahip|Sattahip]]
| {{flag|Thailand}} || 99
|-
| 1996 || 34th World Scout Conference
| [[Oslo]]
| {{flag|Norway}} || 108
|-
| 1999 || 35th World Scout Conference
| [[Durban]]
| {{flag|South Africa}} || 116
|-
| 2002 || 36th World Scout Conference
| [[Thessaloniki]]
| {{flag|Greece}} || 125
|-
| 2005 || 37th World Scout Conference
| [[Hammamet, Tunisia|Hammamet]]
| {{flag|Tunisia}} || 122
| {{flag|Hong Kong}}
|-
| 2008 || 38th World Scout Conference
| [[Jeju Province|Jeju-do]]
| {{flag|South Korea}} || 150
|
|-
| 2011 || 39th World Scout Conference
| [[Curitiba]]
| {{flag|Brazil}} || 138
| {{flag|Australia}}, {{flag|Hong Kong}},{{flag|Switzerland}}
|-
| 2014 || 40th World Scout Conference
| [[Ljubljana]]
| {{flag|Slovenia}} || 143
| {{flag|Italy}}
|-
| 2017 || 41st World Scout Conference
| [[Baku]]
| {{flag|Azerbaijan}} || 169<ref name="Iraq">{{Cite web |title=World Scouting Welcomes the Iraq Scout Association |url=https://www.scout.org/node/366936 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817202819/https://www.scout.org/node/366936 |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=17 August 2017 |publisher=World Scouting}}</ref>
| {{flag|Malaysia}}
|-
| 2021 || 42nd World Scout Conference
| Digital
| ||170<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2021 |title=Opening of the 42nd World Scout Conference |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrYQnQW1_34 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/FrYQnQW1_34 |archive-date=2021-12-11 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|
|-
| 2024 || 43rd World Scout Conference
|[[Cairo]]
|{{flag|Egypt}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Scout Conference declares Egypt the host for the next event in 2024 |url=https://www.scout.org/43-world-scout-conference-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118150024/https://www.scout.org/43-world-scout-conference-2024 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |access-date=29 August 2021 |website=World Organization of the Scout Movement}}</ref>
| 176
| {{flag|France}},  {{flag|Mexico}}
|-
| 2027 || 44th World Scout Conference
|[[London]]
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Scouts - World Scout Conference 2027 |url=https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-scouts-and-events/world-scout-conference-2027/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331191541/https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/international-scouts-and-events/world-scout-conference-2027/ |archive-date=2024-03-31 |website=[[Scouts.org.uk]]}}</ref>
|
| {{flag|Rwanda}},<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1782843616282460174 |user=RwandaScouts |title=🌟 Exciting news! 🌟 @RwandaScouts Association has been nominated as an "Official Bidder" to host the 44th World Scout Conference(2027)! 🎉 ... |author=Rwanda Scouts Association |author-link=Rwanda Scouts Association |date=23 April 2024}}</ref> 
|}

===Committee===
WOSM's committee is its executive governing body, composed of elected volunteers and its secretary general, which is responsible for the implementation of the resolutions of its conference and governs the organization between meetings of its conference. The committee meets at least twice a year. Its steering committee, consisting of the chairperson, two vice-chairpersons and its youth advisor and secretary general meet as needed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Scout Committee |url=http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/international/worldscouting.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230134446/https://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/International/WorldScouting.aspx |archive-date=30 December 2017 |access-date=1 January 2012 |website=WOSM World Scouting}}</ref>

The committee has 21 members. Twelve, each from a different country, are elected for three-year terms by WOSM's conference. The members, elected without regard to their nationality, represent the interests of the movement as a whole, not those of their country. The secretary general, the treasurer of WOSM and a representative member of the board of the World Scout Foundation and the chairpersons of the regional Scout committees are ''ex-officio'' members of the committee. From 2008 to 2021 six Youth Advisors to the WSC were elected by the [[World Scout Youth Forum]]. The Youth Advisors participated in all of the WSC meetings and were also part of the governing structure between the meetings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2022 |title=Dates of the 43rd World Scout Conference in Cairo, Egypt |url=https://treehouse.scout.org/topic/dates-43rd-world-scout-conference-cairo-egypt |website=[[Scout.org]] |publisher=[[World Scout Bureau]]}}</ref> There will be no Youth Advisors from 2024.

The 2021–2024 committee set up work streams to address the top strategic priorities, as defined by WOSM's conference.<!--, which at present include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annex 1: 2021-2024 Operational Framework |url=https://www.scout.org/system/files/circulars/2022-03-03_Circular-052022_Volunteer%20Appointments%202021-2024_annexes_EN.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419172652/https://www.scout.org/system/files/circulars/2022-03-03_Circular-052022_Volunteer%20Appointments%202021-2024_annexes_EN.pdf |archive-date=19 April 2022 |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=World Organization of the Scout Movement}}</ref>
* Educational Methods
** Boosting adult volunteers
** Earth Tribe Coordinating Team
** Gender Mainstreaming Coordination
** Life Skills Initiative
** SCENES Coordination Team
* World Events
** Evolution of its conference
** Innovation of all World Events
* Good Governance
** Growth, Recovery and Resilience - Enabling Capacities for Growth
** GSAT Review and New Partner On-boarding
** Safe from Harm 1 - Compliance Mechanism Build, Pilot and Implementation
** Safe from Harm in World and Regional Events
** Strengthening Consultants Support in Financial Management
** WOSM Consultants 2.0-->

Task forces include:
* Youth Engagement in Decision-Making
* Sustainability

Workstream Coordination Group
* Project management support
* Volunteer management support
* Monitoring and evaluation support

Standing committees include:
* Audit
* Budget
* Constitutions
* Ethics
* Honours and Awards
* Steering

====Incumbent committee members====
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#efefef;" | Name
! style="background:#efefef;" | Country
! style="background:#efefef;" | Position
! style="background:#efefef;" | until
|-
|[[Daniël Corsen]]
|{{flag|Curaçao}}
|Chairperson
|2027
|-
|Mori Chi-Kin Cheng
|{{flag|Hong Kong}}
|Vice Chairperson
|2027
|-
|[[Julius Kramer]]
|{{flag|Sweden}}
|Vice Chairperson
|2027
|-
|Victor Atipagah
|{{flag|Ghana}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Elise Drouet
|{{flag|France}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Callum Kaye
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|[[Steve Kent (politician)|Steve Kent]]
|{{flag|Canada}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Nour Elhouda Mahmoudi
|{{flag|Algeria}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Martin Meier
|{{flag|Liechtenstein}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Mohammad Omar
|{{flag|Egypt}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Christine Pollithy
|{{flag|Germany}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Marie-Louise C. S. Ycossie
|{{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}
|Voting member
|2027
|-
|Rubem Tadeu Cordeiro Perlingeiro
|{{flag|Brazil}}
|Chair, Interamerican Region
|2025
|-
|Matthias Gerth
|{{flag|Switzerland}}
|Chair, European Region
|2025
|-
|Abdullah Mohammad Al-Turaiji
|{{flag|Kuwait}}
|Chair, Arab Region
|2025
|-
|Maina Kiranga
|{{flag|Botswana}}
|Chair, African Region
|2025
|-
|[[Dale Corvera]]
|{{flag|Philippines}}
|Chair, Asia-Pacific Region
|2025
|-
|Hong Leng Chay
|{{flag|Singapore}}
|Treasurer
|
|-
|David Berg
|Belgium
|TF Secretary General
|
|-
|[[Jennifer Hancock]]
|{{flag|United States}}
| [[World Scout Foundation]]
|
|}
: <small> '''Note''': In 2008, WOSM's conference decided that, starting at the conference in 2011, elected committee members will serve for only three years but be eligible for re-election for one additional term. Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], WOSM's conference was rescheduled from Aug 2020 to Aug 2021. </small>

===Bureau===
[[File:World Bureau (World Organization of the Scout Movement).svg|thumb|140px]]
WOSM's bureau is its secretariat, which carries out the instructions of its conference and committee. The bureau is administered by the secretary general, supported by a staff of technical resource personnel.<ref name="World Scouting">{{Cite web |title=World Scouting |url=http://www.scouting.org/international/worldscout.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051224111016/http://www.scouting.org/international/worldscout.html |archive-date=24 December 2005 |access-date=2 February 2006 |website=WOSM World Scouting |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Scout Bureau fact sheet |url=http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-505.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524194050/http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-505.aspx |archive-date=24 May 2009 |access-date=2 February 2006 |website=WOSM World Scouting}}</ref>

A bureau was established in London, England in 1922, moved to [[Ottawa]], Ontario, Canada in 1959, Geneva, Switzerland after 1 May 1968<ref>{{Cite web |title=History and Location |url=http://scout.org/en/our_organisation/governance/world_bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806172626/http://scout.org/en/our_organisation/governance/world_bureau |archive-date=6 August 2013 |access-date=1 September 2013 |website=WOSM World Scout Bureau |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[Kuala Lumpur]] after August 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Scout Bureau - Relocation of Central Office |url=http://scout.org/en/content/download/34284/312108/file/Circular%2021-2013%20EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919090636/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/34284/312108/file/Circular%2021-2013%20EN.pdf |archive-date=19 September 2013 |access-date=11 September 2013 |website=WOSM Circular N° 20/2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Directors/Secretaries General===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Number !! Title !! Years !! Name !! Country
|-
|1st || Director || 1920–1938 || [[Hubert S. Martin]] || {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|2nd || Director || 1938–1951 || [[J. S. Wilson|John Skinner Wilson]] || {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|3rd || Director || 1951–1965 || [[Daniel Spry]] || {{flag|Canada|1921}}
|-
|4th || Director || 1965–1968 || [[Richard T. Lund]] || {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
|5th || Secretary General || 1968–1988 || [[László Nagy (Scouting)|László Nagy]] || {{Flag|Switzerland}}
|-
|6th || Secretary General || 1988–2004 || [[Jacques Moreillon]] || {{Flag|Switzerland}}
|-
|7th || Secretary General || 2004–2007 || [[Eduardo Missoni]] || {{Flag|Italy}}
|-
|8th || Secretary General || 2007–2012 || [[Luc Panissod]] || {{Flag|France}}
|-
|9th || Secretary General || 2013–2016 || [[Scott Teare]] || {{Flag|USA}}
|-
|10th || Secretary General || 2017–2024 || [[Ahmad Alhendawi]] || {{Flag|Jordan}}
|}

===Deputy Secretaries General===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Years !! Name !! Country
|-
| Deputy Secretary General || 1991–2004 || [[Malek Gabr]] || {{Flag|Egypt}}
|-
| Deputy Secretary General || 1991–2004 || [[Luc Panissod]] || {{Flag|France}}
|-
| Deputy Secretary General || 2004–2007 || [[Dominique Bénard]] || {{Flag|France}}
|-
| Deputy Secretary General || 2004–2007 || [[Luc Panissod]] || {{Flag|France}}
|}

<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=Next Secretary General – World Organization of the Scout Movement |url=https://www.scout.org/nextsgannouncement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116015818/https://www.scout.org/nextsgannouncement |archive-date=16 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-15 |website=scout.org}}</ref><ref name="un.org">{{Cite web |title=Alhendawi announces departure – Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth |date=15 November 2016 |url=https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2016/11/alhendawi-announces-departure-position-set-join-world-organization-scout-movement-secretary-general |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104091409/http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2016/11/alhendawi-announces-departure-position-set-join-world-organization-scout-movement-secretary-general/ |archive-date=4 November 2017 |access-date=2016-11-15 |publisher=United Nations}}</ref>

==Kandersteg International Scout Centre==
<!--This section uses British English-->
[[Kandersteg International Scout Centre]] in [[Switzerland]], operated by ''The KISC Association'', is the only WOSM activity centre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Scout Centre - World Scouting |url=https://www.scout.org/who-we-are/world-organization-scout-movement/world-scout-0 |website=www.scout.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Programmes==
The ''Better World Framework'' combines the [[Scouts of the World Award]], [[Messengers of Peace (Scouting)|Messengers of Peace]] and [[World Scout Environment Programme]]s as programme initiatives administered by WOSM's bureau.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Launched: World Scouting-UNESCO World Heritage Recognition Initiative, Messengers of Peace Programme at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree |url=https://scout.org/sites/default/files/news_files/2015-07-31%20Media%20Release%20-%20World%20Scout%20Programmes_0.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301191304/https://scout.org/sites/default/files/news_files/2015-07-31%20Media%20Release%20-%20World%20Scout%20Programmes_0.pdf |archive-date=1 March 2020 |access-date=12 May 2016 |publisher=WOSM |page=2}}</ref>

==WOSM emblem==
{{Infobox WorldScouting
| type = emblem
| name = WOSM emblem
| image = WOSM_2024.svg
| f-date = 1955, minor redesign August 2024
| owner = World Organization of the Scout Movement
|image2=}}

WOSM's emblem and trademark is a purple circular logo with a white [[fleur-de-lis]] in the center with a purple five-point star in each outer lobe, surrounded by a circle of white rope tied with a [[reef knot|reef or square knot]] at the base.

===Symbolism===
The fleur-de-lis, commonly with a five-point star in each of outer lobe, is a more widely used symbol of the [[Scout Movement]]. The fleur-de-lis represents the north point on a map or compass and is intended to point Scouts on the path to service. The three lobes on the fleur-de-lis represent the three parts of the Scout Promise: duty to God, service to others and obedience to the Scout Law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2006 |title=The World Membership Badge |url=http://members.scouts.org.uk/factsheets/FS260016.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115082009/https://members.scouts.org.uk/factsheets/FS260016.pdf |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=2 November 2013 |publisher=The Scout Association}}</ref> A "bond", tying the three lobes of the fleur-de-lis together, symbolizes the family of Scouts.<ref name="tsa_worldbadge">{{cite web | title= The Scouts Membership Award | publisher = The Scout Association | url = https://www.scouts.org.uk/scouts/awards/membership/ | access-date=2024-01-24}}</ref> The two five-point stars stand for truth and knowledge, with the ten points representing the ten points of the [[Scout Law]].

The WOSM emblem adds an encircling rope, tied with a knot at the base, which symbolizes the unity and bond of the Scout Movement{{cn|date=April 2024}} and uses purple and white colours. In [[heraldry]], the white of the fleur-de-lis and rope denotes purity and the [[Purple#Royal purple: Medieval Europe|royal purple]] denotes leadership and service.<ref name="tsa_worldbadge" />

===WOSM emblem history===
For the origin of the fleur-de-lis as a more widely used Scout symbol see: [[Scout Movement]].

[[File:World Scout Emblem 1939-1955.svg|thumb|left|140px|1939–1955 WOSM emblem]]
From its origin in 1922 until 1939, WOSM did not have its own emblem. In 1939, its director, [[J. S. Wilson]], introduced an international Scout badge, a silver fleur-de-lis on a purple background containing the five continent names in silver framed between two concentric circles. Wearing of the badge was confined to WOSM committee members and bureau staff and their past members. The design became WOSM's logo and a purple flag containing the design followed, the flying of which was restricted to WOSM international Scout gatherings.

[[File:World Scout Emblem.png|left|thumb|140x140px|1955–2024 WOSM emblem.]]
In 1955, WOSM's emblem was redesigned in mid-century minimalist style, dropping the continent names and circles and replacing them with a circle of tied rope in the style of family clan emblems. The redesign was introduced at WOSM's [[8th World Scout Jamboree]] by former [[Boy Scouts of Greece]] National Commissioner [[Demetrios Alexatos]].<ref>{{cite book|author-link=J. S. Wilson |first=John S. |last=Wilson|date=1959|title= [[Scouting Round the World]]|edition=1st|publisher=Blandford Press|page= 268}}</ref>

In August 2024, WOSM introduced a minor redesign of its emblem.

===Use by WOSM member organizations===
WOSM's emblem is worn by [[Scouting|Scouts]] and [[Scouter]]s of several of its member organizations, which determine the manner in which WOSM's emblem is worn.

====The Scout Association (United Kingdom)====
[[The Scout Association]] refers to WOSM's emblem as its "Membership Award"<ref name="tsa_worldbadge"/> and uses it as its joining badge for its Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network, with progressing requirements intended to help the member understand their commitment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/4252/membership-award/ |title=Beaver Scout Badges: The Beaver Scout Membership Award |access-date=2019-12-01 |publisher=The Scout Association }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/4294/membership-award/ |title=Cub Scout Badges: The Cub Scout Membership Award |access-date=2019-12-01 |publisher=The Scout Association }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/4341/membership-award/ |title=Scout Badges: The Scout Membership Award |access-date=2019-12-01 |publisher=The Scout Association }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/4410/membership-award/ |title=Explorer Scout Badges: The Explorer Scout Membership Award |access-date=2019-12-01 |publisher=The Scout Association }}</ref>

====Boy Scouts of America====
The [[Boy Scouts of America]] (BSA) refers to WOSM's emblem as the World Crest. It may be worn on BSA uniforms as an emblem of the worldwide Scout Movement. BSA first used the badge as an award for Scouts and [[Leader (Scouting)|Scouters]] who participated in an international Scouting event from early 1956 through 1991 with requirements devised by each council. In 1991, BSA made it part of the uniform for all Scouts and its [[International Activity Patch]] replaced the World Scout Crest as an award.<ref name="walton">{{cite web | last= Walton| first= Mike | year= 1999| title=The World Crest Badge...(and why do we *all* wear it?) | url=https://www.scoutinsignia.com/wcrest.htm | access-date=2006-12-21}}</ref>

====Scouts South Africa====
[[Scouts South Africa]] uses the WOSM emblem badge when new members join as a Cub, a Scout or an Adult Leader. The badge is worn on the left front pocket of the uniform, over the heart.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

===Further reading about WOSM emblem===
*{{cite book | first = John S. | page = 210  | last =Wilson | author-link = J. S. Wilson | date = 1959 | title = Scouting Round the World | edition = First |publisher =  Blandford Press |url=http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/roundworld.pdf}}

==Awards==
===Bronze Wolf Award===
WOSM's [[Bronze Wolf Award]] is given for exceptional services to the international Scout Movement. It was first awarded to [[Robert Baden-Powell]] by a unanimous decision of the committee on the day the award was instituted in 1935.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

===Scouts of the World Award===
See article: [[Scouts of the World Award]]

==Inter-religious forum==
{{see also|Religion in Scouting}}
WOSM's Inter-religious Forum serves as a working-group for eight main religious groups:<ref name="wsis">{{Cite web |title=Inter-religious Forum of World Scouting |url=https://www.scout.org/wsis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720164940/https://www.scout.org/wsis |archive-date=20 July 2022 |access-date=20 July 2022 |publisher=scout.org}}</ref>
* CPGS – [[Council of Protestants in Guiding and Scouting]]
* DESMOS – [[International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts]]
* ICCS – [[International Catholic Conference of Scouting]]
* IFJS – [[International Forum of Jewish Scouts]]
* IUMS – [[International Union of Muslim Scouts]]
* WBSB – [[World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood]]
* [[The Church of the Latter Day Saints]]

==Publications==
Publications of WOSM include:
* ''[[Scouting 'Round the World]]'': a book updated every three years with details on all WOSM member organizations;
* ''[http://www.scout.org/front/winfoen.shtml WorldInfo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011052544/http://www.scout.org/front/winfoen.shtml |date=11 October 2006 }}'': a monthly circular distributed in electronic format with the help of [[Scoutnet]].

== Countries and territories with Scouts run by overseas branches of WOSM member organizations ==

Ten of these overseas branches of accredited National Scout Organizations are considered "potential members" by the WOSM (marked by *).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scouting elsewhere |url=http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/countries/scouting_elsewhere |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312052328/http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/countries/scouting_elsewhere |archive-date=2007-03-12 |access-date=2008-07-10 |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement}}</ref>

=== Sovereign countries ===

'''Served by [[Scouting America]]'''
*[[Federated States of Micronesia]] - [[Scouting in the Federated States of Micronesia]]* - [[Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America]]
*[[Marshall Islands]] - [[Scouting in the Marshall Islands]]* - Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America
*[[Palau]] - [[Scouting in Palau]]* - Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America

'''Served by [[The Scout Association]] (UK)''''
*[[Saint Kitts and Nevis]] - [[The Scout Association of Saint Kitts and Nevis]]*
*[[Tonga]] - [[Tonga branch of The Scout Association]]*
*[[Tuvalu]] - [[Tuvalu Scout Association]]*
*[[Vanuatu]] - [[Vanuatu branch of The Scout Association]]*

'''Served by [[Scouts Australia]]'''
*[[Nauru]] - [[Scouting in Nauru]]*

=== Non-sovereign territories ===
{{Update|date=September 2024}}
'''Australia'''
*[[Christmas Island]] - [[Scouting on Christmas Island|Scouts Australia]]{{dubious|date=September 2024}}
*[[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]] - [[Scouting in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Scouts Australia]]{{dubious|date=September 2024}}
*[[Norfolk Island]] - [[Scouting on Norfolk Island|Scouts Australia]]{{dubious|date=September 2024}}

'''Denmark'''
*[[Faroe Islands]] - [[Føroya Skótaráð]]
*[[Greenland]] - [[Grønlands Spejderkorps]]

'''France'''

*[[French Guiana]] - [[Scouting in French Guiana]]
*[[Guadeloupe]] and [[Collectivity of Saint Martin|Saint Martin]] - [[Scouting in Guadeloupe et Saint Martin]]
*[[Martinique]] - [[Scouts et Guides de Martinique]]
*[[Mayotte]] - [[Scouting in Mayotte]]
*[[New Caledonia]] - [[Scouting in New Caledonia]]
*[[Réunion]] - [[Scouting on Réunion]]
*[[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] - [[Scouting in Saint Pierre and Miquelon]]
*[[Wallis and Futuna]] - [[Scouting in Wallis and Futuna]]

'''New Zealand'''

*[[Cook Islands]] - Cook Islands Boy Scout Association
*[[Niue]] - [[Scouting and Guiding on Niue]]
*[[Tokelau]] - [[Scouting and Guiding in Tokelau]]

'''United Kingdom'''

*[[Anguilla]] - [[The Scout Association of Anguilla]]
*[[Bermuda]] - [[Bermuda Scout Association]]
*[[Cayman Islands]] - [[The Scout Association of the Cayman Islands]]
*[[Falkland Islands]] - [[Scouting and Guiding in the Falkland Islands]]
*[[Gibraltar]] - [[The Scout Association of Gibraltar]]
*[[Montserrat]] - [[The Scout Association of Montserrat]]
*[[Saint Helena]] and [[Ascension Island]] - [[Scouting and Guiding on Saint Helena and Ascension Island]]
*[[Turks and Caicos Islands]] - [[The Scout Association of the Turks and Caicos]]
*[[British Virgin Islands]] - [[The Scout Association of the British Virgin Islands]]

'''United States'''

*[[American Samoa]] - [[Scouting in American Samoa]] - Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America
*[[Guam]] - [[Scouting in Guam]] - Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America
*[[Northern Marianas Islands]] - [[Scouting in the Northern Mariana Islands]] - [[Aloha Council]] of the Boy Scouts of America
*[[Puerto Rico]] - [[Scouting in Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico Council]] of the Boy Scouts of America
*[[United States Virgin Islands]] - [[Scouting in the United States Virgin Islands]] is the responsibility of [[National Capital Area Council]] of the Boy Scouts of America

'''Antarctica'''

*[[Antarctica]] - [[Scouting in the Antarctic]]

==See also==
* [[List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* ''Facts on World Scouting'', Boy Scouts International Bureau, Ottawa, Canada, 1961
* Laszlo Nagy, ''250 Million Scouts'', The World Scout Foundation and Dartnell Publishers, 1985
* [[Eduard Vallory]], "World Scouting: Educating for Global Citizenship", Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2012

==External links==
* [https://www.scout.org/who-we-are/world-organization-scout-movement/world-committee About: World Scout Committee]
* [https://www.scout.org/who-we-are/world-organization-scout-movement/world-scout About: World Scout Bureau]
* [http://www.worldscoutshops.com World Scout Shops]

{{WOSM|regions}}

{{scouting|movement}}
{{Authority control}}
{{commons category|World Organization of the Scout Movement}}

[[Category:World Organization of the Scout Movement| ]]
[[Category:Youth organizations established in 1922]]
[[Category:International Scouting organizations]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Geneva]]
[[Category:International youth organizations]]