“At a time when our world is threatened by so many international challenges, be it climate, wars or the pandemics, we need a counterweight to egoism and nationalism. We need to offer young people a chance to rally around a set of common values and the belief in service, not only to one’s own community, but to international society.” – Solveig Schytz, WAGGGS.org.

Last week, the Guiding and Scouting movement was officially nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in the category of peace; perfectly coinciding with the 2021 World Thinking Day theme of Peacebuiling. The movement was nominated by Solveig Schytz, the former Chief Commissioner for the Norwegian Scout and Guide association. One of the organizations representing the movement is the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). WAGGGS is a female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organization and operates within 150 countries. Its goal is to help support girls and young women so that they can reach their full potential and become responsible citizens of the world.

Each year on February 22, the WAGGGS organization celebrates World Thinking Day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to participate in. The theme changes every year but activities are always centered around learning and appreciating other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from different parts of the world. This year’s theme of Peacebuilding will celebrate all of the different ways Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have contributed to building peace in both their local and international communities. To learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and to check out the World Thinking Day activities, click on the links below.

• WAGGGS Nobel Peace Prize nomination
• World Thinking Day Activities
• GSCM World Thinking Day Virtual Event (Open to out of council Girl Scouts)