Minister of Education: Scouting is an educational partner in building youth and developing their skills
- Scout leaders from 36 countries discuss the development of scouting work and the sustainability of its resources
- Al-Tariqi: Kuwait to be the first Arab country to host the "World Rovering Conference" in October 2027
Education Minister Sayed Jalal Al-Tabatabai said on Sunday that the Scout Movement, since its inception, has constituted an important field in building young people, equipping them with skills, and fostering initiative, teamwork, and community service.
Minister Al-Tabatabai added, in a speech delivered at the opening of the conference titled "The Scout Movement Between Volunteering and Economic Activity," organized by the Kuwait Scout Association under his patronage, that the Scout Movement is today called upon to continue its role and develop its tools to keep pace with changes and ensure the sustainability of its mission.
The conference, running until October 7, is held in cooperation with the Arab Scout Parliamentarians Union and the Arab Rovering Union. It aims to address an important topic concerning the future and sustainability of scouting work, opening the floor for participating leaders and experts to exchange views and experiences on ways to develop scouting activities and enhance their resources, thereby preserving the core of its voluntary, educational, and humanitarian mission and strengthening its role in serving youth and society.
He stated, "In the State of Kuwait, we view the Scout Movement as an important educational partner in shaping the character of our sons and daughters, given the practical environment it provides where young people learn leadership, discipline, teamwork, initiative, self-reliance, and community service."
He noted that "from this perspective, the Ministry of Education is keen to support scouting and student activities and enhance their role in the educational environment, as they represent a genuine space for transforming values and knowledge into practice and behavior, discovering learners' abilities, nurturing their talents, and instilling values of citizenship, belonging, and volunteering."
He pointed out that the gathering of scout leaders representing 36 countries transcends mere conference participation, serving as an international platform for dialogue, experience exchange, building new partnerships, and benefiting from successful experiences and practices in resource development, scout organization management, youth empowerment, volunteering, and community partnerships.
Minister Al-Tabatabai appreciated the efforts made by the Kuwait Scout Association and the entities participating in organizing the conference, emphasizing that the experiences and views presented by participants would enrich scouting work and lead to practical recommendations supporting its sustainability and enhancing its contribution to youth development and community service.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Tariqi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Scout Association, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the convening of the conference with the participation of such a large number of scout leaders represents an opportunity to exchange experiences and expertise and explore new horizons for developing the Scout Movement and enhancing its capacity for continuity and growth, without compromising the core of its voluntary and educational mission.
Al-Tariqi added that the challenges facing scout organizations necessitate a shift toward more innovative visions in resource management and the utilization of the human and organizational potential of the Scout Movement, contributing to the creation of sustainable sources that support programs and activities and expand the scope of beneficiaries.
He clarified that the conference seeks to open a specialized discussion on how to achieve a balance between preserving the voluntary nature of the Scout Movement and leveraging available economic and investment opportunities, alongside showcasing experiences and practices that can serve as a foundation for developing Arab and international scout organizations.
In his speech, Al-Tariji announced that Kuwait had won the right to host the World Scout Conference, scheduled for October 2027, making it the first Arab country to host this Scout event. This achievement reflects Kuwait’s standing in the international Scout movement and the confidence in its organizational capabilities, while presenting an opportunity to strengthen its presence on the global Scout stage and exchange expertise with Scout leaders and organizations.
Al-Tariji expressed his appreciation for the patronage and attendance of the Minister of Education at the conference, as well as his support for the Scout movement. He commended the participation of Scout delegations and leaders from 36 countries, whose diverse experiences and insights enriched the conference’s sessions and themes.
The conference, titled “The Scout Movement Between Volunteering and Economic Activity,” will discuss topics related to developing Scout work, enhancing the sustainability of its resources, and exchanging experiences and expertise among participating leaders. These discussions aim to support the Scout movement’s role in youth development and community service, while preserving its voluntary and educational mission.
