What is WAGGGS?
The official name for the movement that is the umbrella organisation for the 145
National Girl Guide and Girl Scouts groups: the World Association of Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts. WAGGGS is organised into various regions – Africa, Arab, Asia
Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere Regions. Australia is part of the Asia
Pacific Region.
WAGGGS is governed by a World Board, made up of 17 active Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting members from around the world who are democratically elected by all
Member Organizations at the World Conference. Each region elects a Chairman at
their Regional Conference every three years and the five Chairmen also sit on the World Board. The Board appoints its own Committees, and ratifies the Regional Committees. It also allocates specific duties to Work, Task and ad hoc groups, and individuals. An important part of the World Board’s remit is to develop policy papers, in line with the Strategic Plan, and as agreed at World Conference.
WAGGGS Mission is “to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world” and the their Vision is “All girls and young women are valued and take action to change the world.”
Australia’s Role in the Asia-Pacific Region is to send delegates from Girl Guides Australia to the Regional Conferences to discuss important issues
concerning the development of Girl Guiding in the region. These events provide opportunities for training and sharing concerns, experiences and human resources. Regional events are conducted regularly and Australia is required to promote and participate where possible. Events are aimed at providing training and development opportunities and capacity building for Girl Guides Australia.
National Girl Guide and Girl Scouts groups: the World Association of Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts. WAGGGS is organised into various regions – Africa, Arab, Asia
Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere Regions. Australia is part of the Asia
Pacific Region.
WAGGGS is governed by a World Board, made up of 17 active Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting members from around the world who are democratically elected by all
Member Organizations at the World Conference. Each region elects a Chairman at
their Regional Conference every three years and the five Chairmen also sit on the World Board. The Board appoints its own Committees, and ratifies the Regional Committees. It also allocates specific duties to Work, Task and ad hoc groups, and individuals. An important part of the World Board’s remit is to develop policy papers, in line with the Strategic Plan, and as agreed at World Conference.
WAGGGS Mission is “to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world” and the their Vision is “All girls and young women are valued and take action to change the world.”
Australia’s Role in the Asia-Pacific Region is to send delegates from Girl Guides Australia to the Regional Conferences to discuss important issues
concerning the development of Girl Guiding in the region. These events provide opportunities for training and sharing concerns, experiences and human resources. Regional events are conducted regularly and Australia is required to promote and participate where possible. Events are aimed at providing training and development opportunities and capacity building for Girl Guides Australia.
Symbols of the Movement
There are a number of symbols which represent the unity that members of WAGGGS share and experience. These are called the Symbols of the Movement (previously known as the Links of Unity) and include: the World Trefoil, the World Flag, The Word Song, the left-handed handshake, the motto and the salute. All Girl Guides and Girl Scouts also celebrate World Thinking Day and can visit any of the World Centres.
World TrefoilThe golden trefoil on the blue background represents the sun shining over all the children of the world. The three leaves represent the three-fold Promise; the base of the stalk represents the flame of the love of humanity, the vein pointing upwards represents the compass needle showing the way to go and the two stars remind us of our Promise and Law. The circle represents our world wide organisation. The world badge, featuring the trefoil on blue, is worn by all members of the World Association, girls and Leaders alike.
Lefthand ShakeThis is a means for members to recognise others in the Movement. The left hand is extended in friendship and trust and was first used in times of war when peace was made as it exposes the heart side of the body.
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World FlagThe flag consists of the World Trefoil on a bright blue background. The white blaze in the lower right-hand corner represents WAGGGS commitment to peace and is crowned by three golden squares, symbolising the three-fold Promise.
World SongThis is the official song of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts (WAGGGS). The World Song was adopted in 1950 at the 13th World Conference in Oxford, England. The music, originally composed as the march for one of Finland’s oldest Scout companies, was adapted with the approval of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, from his March, Opus 91b. The World Song was first published with English words in 1952, by Gavin Ewart. The music is copyright and cannot be reproduced here. However, there is a piano midi file or instrumental version you can use at Unit meetings. You can also listen to a sung version or watch it on YouTube. The World Song Our way is clear as we march on And see our flag on high Is never furled throughout the world For hope shall never die! We must unite for what is right In friendship true and strong Until the earth in its rebirth Shall sing our song! Shall sing our song! All those who loved the true and good Whose promises were kept With humble minds, whose acts were kind, Whose honour never slept; These were the free and we must be Prepared like them to live To give to all, both great and small All we can give, all we can give. The words of the song express the principles and spirit of Guiding. There is mention of how Guides are across the globe and are united in their pursuits to develop friendships, have active minds, maintain honour and give service to those in need. World Thinking Day22 February is the birthdays of both Robert and Olave Baden-Powell and Girl Guides are encouraged to think of other members of the Movement on this special day. Participation takes the form of international activities, ceremonies and Guides’ Owns and is known as World Thinking Day. The symbol for this day is the World Trefoil in the crentre representing the World Association with arrows pointing towards it to represent action and direction.
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The WAGGGS World Centres
WAGGGS owns and runs four World Centres where girls and leaders gather for friendship in training, conferences and holidays.
Check out where the World Centres are located on this map. The World Centres are:
Our Chalet – across the valley from the village of Adelboden, Switzerland – with a focus on outdoor sports and seminars
Pax Lodge – part of the Olave Centre in London, England – with a focus on regular international training sessions
Our Cabana – Cuernavaca, Mexico – with a varied focus including friendships, seminars on United Nations themes, community service and crafts
Sangam – near Pune, india – international training centre with a varied program, especially community development
Find out more about the World Centres.
The World Conference is held every three years and allows the world body to make decisions. Each member organisation can send two delegates to represent their area and observers to the conference are welcome.
Check out where the World Centres are located on this map. The World Centres are:
Our Chalet – across the valley from the village of Adelboden, Switzerland – with a focus on outdoor sports and seminars
Pax Lodge – part of the Olave Centre in London, England – with a focus on regular international training sessions
Our Cabana – Cuernavaca, Mexico – with a varied focus including friendships, seminars on United Nations themes, community service and crafts
Sangam – near Pune, india – international training centre with a varied program, especially community development
Find out more about the World Centres.
The World Conference is held every three years and allows the world body to make decisions. Each member organisation can send two delegates to represent their area and observers to the conference are welcome.
WAGGGS Projects
WAGGGS delivers high quality non-formal educational programmes and international opportunities that provide girls and young women dynamic, flexible and values-based training in life skills, leadership and citizenship.
Advocacy - WAGGGS influences people to take decisions that will improve the lives of girls and young women and their communities. The group aim not only to speak out on behalf of girls and young women everywhere, but also to empower them to advocate for themselves.
Education and Leadership Development- WAGGGS provides education programmes (such as the Global Action Theme Programme)
Service – Sangam Volunteer Programme; the community outreach programmes at the World Centres; and diversity projects
Advocacy - WAGGGS influences people to take decisions that will improve the lives of girls and young women and their communities. The group aim not only to speak out on behalf of girls and young women everywhere, but also to empower them to advocate for themselves.
Education and Leadership Development- WAGGGS provides education programmes (such as the Global Action Theme Programme)
Service – Sangam Volunteer Programme; the community outreach programmes at the World Centres; and diversity projects
Other International Projects
PostBox is a way you can communicate with a Girl Guide or Girl Scout in another country or State of Australia by letter. By exchanging letters, you
become penpals, share in the Guiding spirit and promote goodwill between girls and young women of the world.
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) is an annual event in which around 500,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio and the internet. Every Member of Guides can make friends, exchange stories, experience different cultures and have fun as part of the largest activity in world Scouting and Guiding. JOTA-JOTI also gives girls an awareness that they belong to a worldwide Movement.
become penpals, share in the Guiding spirit and promote goodwill between girls and young women of the world.
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) is an annual event in which around 500,000 Scouts and Guides from all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio and the internet. Every Member of Guides can make friends, exchange stories, experience different cultures and have fun as part of the largest activity in world Scouting and Guiding. JOTA-JOTI also gives girls an awareness that they belong to a worldwide Movement.
WAGGGS Activity Ideas
* Celebrate World Thinking Day
* Participate in JOTI (or JOTA) and meet other Guides from around the world
* Learn about Guides in other countries through research and through the Post Box
* Links of Unity (now Symbols of the Movement) Game
* Participate in JOTI (or JOTA) and meet other Guides from around the world
* Learn about Guides in other countries through research and through the Post Box
* Links of Unity (now Symbols of the Movement) Game