For WAGGGS, this week-long gathering in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) was a living, breathing showcase of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, to learn, and to shape the world around them.
WAGGGS set up a vibrant Global Village, a space buzzing with curiosity, courage, and connection, at the Jamboree. Through interactive taster sessions of our flagship programmes, including Free Being Me (FBM), Surf Smart (SS), Youth-Led Action on Climate Change (YLACC), Gender equality badge, learning modules, World Centres we reached more than 15,000 youth participants. Scouts, Guides, and volunteer leaders stepped into our space with open minds and left with new skills, new confidence, and new visions of what they could achieve.
And for us, watching this unfold in real time was a rewarding experience.
A Ripple Effect We Could See & Feel
Every day, the Global Village offered a reminder of why this work matters. We often talk about “ripple effects” in youth development and how one programme, one skill, one spark of confidence can shape a future, a community, even a movement. In Lucknow, these ripples were not abstract. They were standing in front of us, eager and full of potential.
“I was once shy and introverted, but volunteering with YLACC gave me confidence, purpose, and the power to inspire others. It taught me how to speak up, encourage change, and help make the world a better place.” Jyotismita, West Bengal.
Across the Village, another group sat on the ground piecing together eco-bricks as part of our climate action module. Among them was Krishna from Jammu & Kashmir, whose voice carried both urgency and hope,
“Plastic waste is a real menace we need to stop. I’m grateful to WAGGGS for driving ground-level change on vital issues like climate action and sustainability.”
Seeing young people connect these lessons to their daily lives by finding solutions to water scarcity, pollution, disasters, online safety, gender norms, and mental health, reminded us: this generation is not waiting for permission to lead. They are already doing it.
Learning for a Changing World
This year’s Jamboree theme centred on unity, diversity, adventure, and leadership – values deeply aligned with the Girl Guide and Girl Scout Movement. Throughout our sessions, young people explored ways to recognise and challenge harmful beauty standards, protect themselves from cyberbullying, misinformation, and online exploitation, and build digital resilience through safer internet habits. They also deepened their understanding of climate change in their local contexts, took collective action for gender equality, and discovered new confidence in their bodies, voices, and ideas.
Our programmes follow the Girl Guide/Girl Scout non-formal education methodology encouraging learning through play, dialogue, movement, creativity, and reflection. This spirit of openness and curiosity filled every activity, as young participants embraced new experiences, shared their perspectives, and grew together in an environment designed to inspire both joy and leadership.
As Harsh from Rajasthan shared:
“Surf Smart is full of interactive and engaging activities that open conversations about digital safety. Together, we’re inspiring others to join the movement and create a ripple effect of change.”
Each activity, each conversation, each moment of discovery carried the unmistakable energy of youth power — bold, compassionate, and transformational.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Purpose
Our presence at the Jamboree stood on the shoulders of a long-standing partnership. WAGGGS and BSG have long worked together to empower young people across India with leadership, life skills, and a sense of global sisterhood and brotherhood.
“The Global Village organised during the 19th National Jamboree, Lucknow 2025, provided a valuable and enriching experience for the participants, offering them a meaningful taster of the diverse initiatives of WAGGGS. The initiative also significantly enhanced the leadership skills of our members, who confidently planned, organised, and led the workstations of their choice.” Darshana Pawaskar, Director Bharat Scouts and Guides.
The presence of senior WAGGGS leadership from across the Asia-Pacific region also underscored how important this collaboration is, not just historically, but for the future of the Movement.
“Being at the Jamboree reminds me why this work matters. Surf Smart, like all WAGGGS programmes, is more than a curriculum. It’s a lifeline for young people navigating a complex world. Watching them question, reflect, and grow is profoundly moving. This is how change begins – one young mind empowered at a time.” Prerana Shakya, Programme Manager, Surf Smart
Together, BSG and WAGGGS are nurturing a generation ready to build a more equitable, sustainable world.
Moments That Stay with Us
The Jamboree itself was filled with cultural performances, adventure activities, global exchanges, and even a visit from India’s President. However, for our team, some of the most unforgettable moments happened quietly, inside our Village:
- A group of young boys enthusiastically discussing gender equality after completing the badge.
- A shy girl from Southern Railway, returning the next day with friends, proudly explaining what she learned.
- A circle of 12-year-olds debating how online misinformation spreads.
- A teenager whispering, “I’ve never felt this confident before,” after a Free Being Me Programme activity.
These moments stitched together a powerful story, one of youth leadership emerging naturally when given the tools and trust.
Looking Ahead With Hope
As the tents came down and the lights dimmed on the final day, one feeling lingered above all – hope.
Hope in the creativity of young people.
Hope in their urgency and their empathy.
Hope in partnerships that honour their leadership.
Hope in a Movement that believes every girl and young woman can change the world and every boy can be an ally in that change.
The Jamboree reaffirmed what we already knew but needed to feel again. Our programmes are not just frameworks or curricula. They are catalysts. They are lifelines. They are invitations for young people to discover their own power.
In Lucknow, we witnessed that power come alive and the ripple effects will continue far beyond this week, this event, and this field.