Ouagadougou, February 17–22, 2025 – In a sub-regional context marked by security and humanitarian crises, more than 150 young scouts and leaders from 16 West African countries gathered in Burkina Faso for the 15th Zonal Conference and the 11th Scout Youth Forum. A strategic gathering centered on responsibility, solidarity, and youth commitment to peace.
Scouting in Action in the Face of Africa’s Challenges
The theme of this year’s edition, “African Scouting: The Role and Place of Youth in Promoting Peace, Social Cohesion, and Security”, resonates strongly in a region where instability threatens both development and the future of young people.
As a movement of education and service, scouting plays a key role in shaping engaged youth capable of building a fairer and more peaceful world. But for this commitment to become reality, scouts need spaces for reflection, training, and action—precisely what the Zonal Conference and Youth Forum aim to provide.
Plenaries and Workshops to Shape the Future
Throughout the event, delegates engaged in discussions around four core areas:
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Security, Peace, and Social Cohesion: How can scouting be an agent of mediation and conflict resolution?
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Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship: Amid unemployment and precarity, how can we promote self-employment and innovation among young scouts?
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Youth and the Crisis of Values: How can we strengthen moral and spiritual education to help scouts be role models in their societies?
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Civic Engagement of Scouts: What mechanisms can ensure young people participate more actively in decisions that affect them?
These exchanges helped identify challenges—but more importantly, to co-create concrete, practical solutions tailored to local realities.
A Strong Call from ICCS: Restoring Catholic Scouting’s Role
Present at the conference, the International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS), represented by Chief Marcelin Henry DIENE, Vice President of the ICCS World Committee, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young scouts in their mission as builders of peace and social cohesion.
In his speech, the ICCS representative emphasized that scouting is not just an activity program, but a true school of life and spirituality.
As the institutional link between the Catholic Church and scouting, the ICCS stressed the importance for Catholic scouts to fully embrace and live out their faith within their scouting journey.
“Why should one hide their faith when taking on responsibilities in scouting? Faith should not be sidelined—it should illuminate and guide our commitment.”
— From the ICCS address
Today, eight West African countries are already members of ICCS, with Mali’s membership underway. A call was issued for other nations to join this momentum and make Catholic scouting a vibrant force for the common good.
Concrete Commitments for Lasting Impact
Beyond the discussions and adopted resolutions, the conference marked a turning point through several major commitments:
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Establishing a cooperation framework among NSOs to strengthen regional collaboration and share best practices.
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Launching a three-year action plan that includes leadership, mediation, and entrepreneurship training programs for young scouts.
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Commitment by scouts to serve as ambassadors for peace and social cohesion within their communities, through concrete awareness-raising and mediation activities.
The future of scouting in West Africa will not be built by speeches alone, but through real actions and a renewed commitment from young scout leaders.
Toward a Stronger, More Engaged, and More Inspiring Scouting
As the 15th Zonal Conference and 11th Youth Forum come to a close, a powerful sentiment unites all participants: a shared responsibility and a mission to carry forward.
Scouting is not just a personal adventure—it is a promise to serve, to educate, to protect. And this promise takes on even greater meaning in an Africa that needs young peacemakers, ethical leaders, and architects of a better future.
One of the highlights of the closing ceremony in Ouagadougou was the handover of the flag to Liberia, which will host the next Zonal Conference and Youth Forum in 2026.
The journey continues—every step counts. Long live scouting, and long live youth committed to building a better world!