Messengers of Peace

Throughout its history, Scouting has inspired its millions of members to make a difference – applying their leadership to creating a better world. Scouts do some amazing things, from simple community actions to large-scale projects. Observing this excellent work, the King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah and the King of Sweden, King Carl Gustaf came together to recognize Scouts as “Messengers of Peace”. They believe that the work Scouts are doing is so impressive, and that Scouting needs to be recognized for its contribution to world peace, and be supported to do even more.

World Scouting’s Messengers of Peace Initiative, launched by the World Scout Committee in 2011, aims to inspire the millions of Scouts who are doing amazing things in their local communities to tell the world about it, and thus inspire other Scouts to do even more. Any Scout project that brings a positive change in a community – its health, environment, social circumstances, safety or addresses conflict – is a Messengers of Peace project.

In Kenya, Messengers of Peace brings all of the work of Scouts in Kenya together to create a network for promoting peace all over the world. The MoP Network is driven by Scout volunteers based in each Region and is available to all, Scouts and non-Scouts, who are running local service and peace projects. Messengers of Peace has two elements: The Messengers of Peace Global Network and the Messengers of Peace Support Fund.

The Messengers of Peace Global Network is the tool for connecting Scouts. Using social media, the Network allows Scouts to showcase their service projects and meet online to share their ideas, tell their stories and work together to build peace in their communities. Through greater access to ideas, training and support, these connections will strengthen all of Scouting.

The Network is inspired by the World Scout Committee (WSC) and is administered by the World Scout Bureau (WSB). It is driven by youth volunteers worldwide and is available to all Scouts who are running peace projects.

The Messengers of Peace Support Fund will provide financial support to service projects and Scouting initiatives around the world. The Fund enables Scouts in poorer countries to implement the types of vital projects that can change communities. It also supports project management capacity building for NSOs and regional officers.

The Fund targets five categories of work:
(1) training in dialogue; (2) support for specific peace projects; (3) support to young people living in “hot” conflict situations; (4) capacity strengthening; and (5) globalizing the Messengers of
Peace Global Network.
The Fund is supported by the World Scout Foundation and administered by the world Scout Bureau and its Regional offices.
Become a Messenger of Peace

Step 1

Think about your local community. What is upsetting the balance of life there – is there an environmental problem, or mistrust between different groups, or some health emergency, or bullying in your school, or some group of people are lonely or marginalized – the possibilities are endless.

Step 2

Now decide what you and your fellow Scouts can do to help. This might be part of your normal Scout weekly program or even as part of your Scout community service program.

Step 3

Now go to the sign up page and declare your intention to change your world!
Your pin will be placed on the Messenger of Peace Project Map for everyone to see. Click on
www.http://scout.org/user/38608

Step 4

Keep in mind your commitment and remember your Scout friends can help
you complete it! So, invite them to sign up to the Messenger of Peace Initiative.
And spread the word on Facebook.

www.facebook.com/MoPKenya