Scouting and Guiding, two of the world’s largest youth organisations that have worked to create lasting peace and dialogue in communities around the world for more than a century, have been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize for their work in "giving young people the tools they need to solve the challenges of the future, while building strong civil society."
In a joint statement issued by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the two organisations welcomed the nomination highlighting the importance of recognising the unique contributions by young women and men in peace-building and sustainable development.
“We are honoured to be nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize and we believe this nomination highlights the significant role played by youth organisations in advancing peace and development worldwide,” said leadership representatives of WAGGGS and WOSM.
The Nobel Peace Prize recognises the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations towards building a culture of peace in the world. Since their founding in 1907, Scouting and Guiding have empowered hundreds of millions of young people with the life and leadership skills to be active global citizens who are serving their communities, and promoting peace through local action and community-based activities.
The Nobel nomination was submitted by Norwegian Liberty Party MP, Solveig Schytz, former Chief Commissioner of The Guides and Scouts of Norway and a current volunteer for the Scouting and Guiding Movement. “At a time when our world is threatened by so many international challenges, be 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,” said Ms Schytz in a press release announcing the nomination.
The application will be considered by the Nobel Committee alongside other nominations. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 101 times to 135 Nobel Laureates between 1901 and 2020, including 107 individuals and 28 organisations.