SEASON GREETINGS 2023

Dear brothers and sisters in Scouting,

I hope this end-of-year message finds you and your Scouts and Guides in good health.

Another difficult year is now coming to an end, in which we had to face many challenges and were able to overcome these challenges together with great effort.

Despite the difficulties, many of us were able to continue our work; including group nights, summer camps, international camps, various trainings, workshops, elections of two Regional Council ́s and general assemblies of the regions – either face to face or virtually.

In the spirit of the Scout Laws, members of our association were able to help scouts and guides, with a “Penny Action”, in various countries around the world. Additionally, new member organisations have joined several regions, and I would like to extend a warm welcome them here once again.

Unfortunately, we also received some bad news during the year. Scout brothers and sisters, who have accompanied us for many years, passed away during the year and are missed by us all. We miss their knowledge and inspiration, and we mourn with their families. May they find peace at the big campfire and celebrate their scouting together with our founders.

I know that many of you are thinking about the future work with our Scouts and Guides. The world is changing daily, and some have to face the challenges of war, others worry about hunger in their countries, and many have to face the challenges of political change. It is all the more important to be a role model for our children and to be an anchor point for these daily challenges.

We must remain vigilant for our children and adapt to these situations. It is our duty to stand by them in the future and offer them traditional scouting in the spirit of Baden Powell.
We will not give up on our traditions and will defend them against all odds.

As I said at the Eurocamp ”Alone we are an arrow that can easily be broken, but if we stand together and tie all the arrows into a bundle, then we are strong and can survive any adversity”.

Let us continue to stand up for peace, tolerance and a cosmopolitan society where all people can live in harmony and without fear.

Let ́s show society that we as Scouts follow Baden Powell’s call to be ambassadors for peace and do our good deeds every day and carry in your heart that: