Incorporating Dialogue into the Scouts Programme
Recognising the important role young people play in contributing to the strengthening of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence within their communities, KAICIID actively promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue among youth. The Centre’s flagship training, the Dialogue for Peace (DfP) programme, was developed in close cooperation with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and was created for and with the help of young people.
KAICIID sees young people as future changemakers; therefore, the DfP programme aims to equip participants with the tools needed to meaningfully participate in building a culture of dialogue, contribute to reconciliation efforts, and dispel stereotypes within their societies and beyond. The programme also seeks to support the spiritual development aspect of youth programming within Scouting.
The Badge Programme
The Badge programme offers Scouts three levels where they can develop their dialogue skills: A “Dialogue Badge” for three age groups of young Scouts, and a “Dialogue Facilitator Badge” for the Venture/Rover section and adult Leaders. Additionally, a “Dialogue Trainer” level is available for those Scouts who wish to make a greater contribution to promoting dialogue in their communities.
Our Impact
In 2015-2018, a series of Training of Trainers (ToTs) were organised in multiple countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, and Interamerica, which resulted in establishing a pool of dialogue trainers in the regions. Due to the success of the youth dialogue trainings, the Centre launched youth workshops at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria in summer 2018. The workshops provide young people from diff erent cultural, religious and educational backgrounds with an opportunity to learn and practice the skills and principles of dialogue in an engaging atmosphere.
By equipping young people with the necessary leadership skills and tools to contribute to promoting the values of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion within their own communities, the activities implemented by the DfP programme are also targeted toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for youth. In the years to come, the number of dialogue trainers certified and supported by KAICIID will continue to grow and enable opportunities to bring dialogue to more young people around the world.
Milestones
2013
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Memorandum of Understanding between WOSM and KAICIID
2015
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Dialogue Training for the Scouts and first steps for the DfP Programme & Badge
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Dialogue workshops at the 23rd World Scouts Jamboree and Trainings in Africa and Asia-Pacific Regions
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Youth Dialogue Experience workshops
2016
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Training of Trainers for the Scouts and DfP Training in Interamerica
2017
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Baseline Study of Spiritual Development in Scouting
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Training of Trainers for Europe Scout Region
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Dialogue Trainings in Eurasia and at the 41st World Scout Conference
2018
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Launch of the Guide for Dialogue Ambassadors; Training and workshop on the DfP in Europe through Intercultural Dialogue, Interreligious Dialogue and Spiritual Development
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Launch of the DialoGo! board game
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Dialogue workshops in Eurasia and ToTs in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Interamerica Scout Region
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Pilot Youth workshops for students and young adults at KAICIID Headquarters
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Initiation of collaboration on joint youth activities with Red Cross and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
WOSM and KAICIID bring together a diverse range of young people and leaders from around the world to participate in the DfP programme. The programme equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop dialogue-related projects in their communities, which has also contributed to the mainstreaming and institutionalisation of dialogue within WOSM and other organisations. From 2015 to 2018, over 2000 young people from all around the world have participated in the DfP programme.
