Catching up on a busy few days at The Academy

Apologies for the lack of blog over the past few days! The Academy has been jam packed and we haven’t found a moment to sit down!

So far we have done a huge variety of sessions: Leadership is Practice not Skills, Gender & Diversity, Leading Change, Risk Management, Volunteer Management, Building Capacity. 

A firm favourite so far has been “Monitoring & Evaluation” as it was eye opening into ways in which we can improve our evaluation methods to evidence our impact. 

Alison’s favourite was Strategic Planning for Success! She feels it was good to develop an understanding of the theory behind strategic planning and know how to use the tools to support others. 

In addition to the twice daily, three hour sessions there is an opportunity to go to short sessions of around half hour. Jo went to a session on icebreakers based around Gender and Diversity and Alison went to one on the Learning Journey 

Aside from our sessions, we’ve had plenty of time to network and make friends with Scouts and Guides from across Europe. We’ve been working on our challenges and building up a list of international opportunities for girls in our regions. Becky has been talking to Giulia from WAGGGS Europe about the development of GOLD and has been promoting GOLD to MOs who may be interested in building a partnership. 

We had an amazing time at the International evening. We had our own “stand” decorated with British delicacies to share with our international friends. Shortbread, marmite, welsh cakes and Everton mints featured heavily along with lots of little glasses of Pimm’s!! We also had opportunity to “visit” other countries. We tried moose from Norway, fruit from Azerbaijan and stroopwaffel from the Netherlands. 

We’re having an amazing time here in Slovenia and learning so much.

Zdravo from The Academy in Slovenia!

What an exciting first day! Most of our UK Delegation met each other at Stansted airport for the first time. We comprise of Helen (North West), Steph and Jo (South West), Becky (UK International team) and Alison (Scotland). 

Becky, Jo, Helen and Steph (minus Alison!)

After a quick 2 hour flight to Ljubljana we took a transfer to Kranjska Gora with the UK Scouts. We spent the evening getting to know delegates from the other WAGGGS/WOSM countries. We played lots of games including sharing our favourite vegetables, drawing portraits of each other and making up secret handshakes.

We have decided to set ourselves some challenges for the week. Helen got started on her challenge of finding an international camp within Europe for a region trip. She got talking to the Norwegian Chief Commissioner who extended an invite to Agenda in 2021, the Norwegian jamboree. 

Looking forward to getting started with the opening ceremony and starting our sessions tomorrow! 

Evenings of Culture, Fantastic Food and 'Game of Thrones' - 16th European Guide and Scout Conference

 

Visiting Klis Fortress

Michaela (a Rainbow Leader and Ranger) shares her experience of the Croatian culture as part of the UK delegation during the 16th European Guide and Scout Conference in Split...

Reflecting on a busy day of discussing motions and learning in forum sessions, it was about time to experience some Croatian culture. After a short bus ride to Klis fortress, we made our way up the rocky path towards the fortress.  For the Game of Thrones fans, you may be aware that the fortress is featured in Season 4, Episode 4 as the Pyramid of Meereen. We enjoyed traditional Croatian food that was served part way up the fortress path with a stunning view overlooking the city of Split whilst Croatian singers sang.   I think we can say that the Soparnik, a flat, savoury pie with spinach and garlic, was a hit among our delegation!

Croatian Flag

It was lovely to be able to explore such a beautiful country that is rich with culture and that is also the birth place of some everyday items.  I didn't realise that the Cravat (which goes by the English name of a Tie) originated in Croatia!  We learnt that Croatian ladies used to wear a head scarf that they would cry into when their husbands were going to leave.  The husbands would take this scarf with them and kept them round their necks, from this, the Cravat was born!  We also learnt that Dalmatian dogs originate from Croatia, specifically from the Dalmatia region.

As we continued up the fortress path the Game of Thrones theme became apparent as the theme music, played by a live band, grew louder as we got closer to the fortress.  We were greeted at the fortress entrance by Daenerys Targaryen, a princess from Game of Thrones, and had some time to explore.  Looking down over the city of Split was stunning; beautiful colours illuminating the sky as the sun set and the glow of the city lights in the darkness.  There was the opportunity to have a go at archery and to pose for a picture with swords before heading back to the accommodation after a tiring day.

The Closing Ceremony

Closing Ceremony

After five days of conference with  discussions, voting and elections, the only thing left was the closing ceremony.  It was quite an amazing feeling being part of the UK delegation and this is something that I will always be proud of.

Once again we enjoyed traditional singing which was performed by a well known Croatian soprano before tucking in to an alfresco buffet with lots of Gnocchi.  The closing ceremony took place in a local park which involved games using environmentally friendly balloons and music.  The atmosphere was super lively with people from all countries and delegations chatting and celebrating coming to the end of a fantastic conference.  We even managed to get some photos with the #GlobalGuiding frame! 

We are now looking forward to see what the next triennium has to offer!

Motion 32 - Young Women in Governance Study (16th European Guide and Scout Conference)

Beth (left) and Leah (right) at the 16th European Guide and Scout Conference

During the 16th European Guide and Scout Conference in Split, Croatia, we attended a session about understanding why there are fewer young women in decision-making roles. We caught up with Leah and Beth, two members of the group that are working on this project, to find out more.

Who are you?

Beth is from South West England. She first joined Girlguiding as a Rainbow and now volunteers with Rainbows and Guides. She is also an Action for Change Network Coach (https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls-making-change/ways-to-take-action/action-for-change-campaign/), as part of Girlguiding's advocacy network.

Leah is a research officer at Girlguiding HQ and has worked on the Girls Attitudes Survey (https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/girls-making-change/girls-attitudes-survey/). Her job involves trying to understand the lives of girls and young women across the UK, and using that evidence to make change in society.

Leah and Beth are both members of the Motion 32 project team.


What is Motion 32?

During WAGGGS conferences conference documents are released containing 'motions', which are proposals that are put out for member organisations (e.g. Girlguiding UK) to vote on.

Motion 32 was put forward at the last WAGGGS World Conference in India in 2017 (https://www.wagggs.org/en/about-us/governance/world-conference/36th-world-conference/). It centered around the lack of young women in decision making roles in WAGGGS, and the fact that there were no candidates under the age of 30 running for election for the World Committee in that year. The motion aimed to promote more age diversity within the highest levels of governance.

When the time came to vote, Motion 32 was passed.

Since this decision, the world board has been working to investigate why more young women aren't taking up decision making roles at a global, national and regional level within the Guiding movement.


 What is the Young Women Research Team?

The Young Women Research Team is a group formed of 2 young women aged 18-30 from each WAGGGS region - that is the Europe, Western Hemisphere, Asia Pacific, Africa and Arab regions. Leah and Beth are both part of the Young Women Research Team representing the Europe Region.

What are your goals?

The aim of the project is to develop a better understanding of any barriers stopping young women from taking up decision making roles. We want to hear from Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across Europe (and globally) so that we can suggest possible solutions. We hope these suggestions will see more young women take up decision making roles that are equal and meaningful.


How can Member Organisations get involved?

MOs (e.g. Girlguiding UK) can support young women to have their voices heard by encouraging them to complete our online survey on this issue: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JYH9KZB

We also have a range of other surveys available for those who are not young women (18-30) but would still like to share their thoughts and experiences.

'Wall of Women' at the WAGGGS Europe Conference 2019, celebrating young women in decision making roles.

What are your next steps?

Leah and Beth presenting Motion 32

Our next steps include reviewing the opinions gathered during the regional conference from interviews, polls and workshops.

In December we will meet with the rest of the Young Women Research Team to share, compare and analyse our findings. We will then write a report which will highlight key findings and provide reccomendations on how to improve the situation. This report will be shared in July at the next World Conference, where Member Organisations across the five WAGGGS regions will meet to discuss Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting issues.


Getting In Touch

If you have any questions you can contact Beth and Leah at leah.widdicombe@girlguiding.org.uk

Arriving in Split - Our First Europe Region Guide and Scout Conference

Aileen top 4th from right, Michaela top middle

Hello! We are Aileen and Michaela, and this year we are taking part in the 16th European Scout and Guide Conference as part of the UK delegation in Split, Croatia. After a busy first day attending orientation, a session about the new WAGGGS leadership model and a wonderful Croatian opening ceremony, we thought we would take the opportunity to answer some questions about this exciting event, what we are doing and how we got involved.

What is the European Scout and Guide Conference?

Michaela

The European Scout and Guide conference is a conference that happens every three years where delegations from across Europe come together to elect the next European Comittee and vote on proposed motions. This sets the future for the next three years of Guiding and Scouting.

How did you get picked?
  
Aileen

Earlier in the year I stumbled across the information page about the conference and the open call for delegation applications on the Girlguiding UK website. Initially I thought that I didn't really have enough experience for the role, but I thought I would apply anyway as it seemed like a great opportunity. Not long after I received an email inviting me to a skype interview, and then after some time I received a phone call from the UK International Commissioner informing me that I had been selected along with Michaela.

What do you do in Guiding?

Michaela

I am a Young Leader at my local Rainbows unit and I am a member of Rangers.  I have also been on an international Girlguiding trip to Nepal with a group of girls of a similar age where we taught about menstrual health in local schools.  Nepal was both exciting and really rewarding as I got to experience a different culture whilst also knowing that the work I was doing would change the lives of many people for the better.

Aileen

I am a Brownie Leader in North Lanarkshire and I am also involved with Rangers and DofE at a county level. I was a Summer and Autumn volunteer at Our Cabaña last year so I have some experience in facilitating WAGGGS initiatives such as Free Being Me and Voices Against Violence, and WAGGGS' new leadership model 'Leadership Mindsets'.

What is it like taking on a decision making role?

 Aileen

I think taking on a decision making role, especially at a younger age, is a really empowering experience. It allows you to realise that you have a voice and can influence the outcome of important decisions that will affect young people in so many different ways. Often young women are underrepresented in politics and business and so getting the chance to be a UK delegate feels like a step in the right direction towards encouraging more young women into governance positions. When taking on a role like this you definitely feel a great sense of responsibility, but also pride in representing your organisation and helping it to be the best it can be.


What is attending the conference actually like?

Michaela

I initially thought that conference was going to be really serious and intense however very quickly after I arrived and got chatting with other delegates I realised that everyone was really relaxed and sociable.  So far I have found conference really exciting as there is a lively atmosphere where you feel very welcome.  Conference, so far, is a lot more relaxed than I thought it would be.  It is also very busy but I felt that was to be expected. So far I am really enjoying my time here.

Attending the English Conference Orientation

How can I get involved?

If you want to get involved with the conference, you can follow what we get up to on the UK International Guiding social media pages below:

https://instagram.com/ukintguides?igshid=1r1x74u2u6nyn

https://www.facebook.com/ukintguides/

https://twitter.com/ukintguides


We will be posting regular updates on our stories and also sharing a new blog daily. Feel free to tag @ukintguides in your tweets and make sure to use the hashtag #ERWconf19

Also - why not apply for the next European Scout and Guide Conference? It's a great opportunity to have an amazing international experience and work with other passionate WAGGGS members.

Croatian music during the Opening Ceremony