M ESSENGERS O F P EACE FOS Open Scouting deals consciously with diversity

Who are we? Being a pluralistic organisation, FOS Open Scouting has been concerned with diversity for some years.

Why? FOS Open Scouting as an active pluralistic organisation Ensure our own survival Contribute to the social reality

Social reality We observe that Flanders and Brussels are demographically and socially evolving toward a more diversified and socially vulnerable constitution

Social reality 1 out of 10 children and adolescents younger than 17 is raised in poverty. So there are more children and youngsters living in poverty, than the members of the big youth movements in Flanders.

Social reality Half of the Flemish population living in poverty originates from a country outside of the European Union. In half a century we went from a society with limited ethnic cultural population to a super diverse and migration society.

Social reality A fast growing population of children in the Flemish cities and Brussels. The group 0-18 year olds is getting persistently bigger, having an ever bigger chance of growing up in poverty.

Social reality Government believes an inclusive youth movement is a realistic and ideal situation.

Two track policy Target groups should empower children and youngsters so they can proceed in regular youth movements Youth movements have to lower their thresholds for all types of children in society

Dealing consciously with diversity Meeting different groups in society. Make linkage with between our local units and target specific youth movements. Learning to know and appreciate each other. Everyone can be part of our organisation. Actively reduce potential barriers:  Financial barrier  Sexuality  Religion  Ethnic  cultural background

Methods Awareness Dialogue Training

Interest groups 1) Responding to individual units Why ? To improve the quality of their leadership To meet others and to break down social barriers To deepen and expand Social action 2) Same for ‘all units’ but generalization

Interest groups 3. National Volunteers Why ? Developing a personal vision on diversity Internal strengthening Encouraging ownership

Diversity matrix FOS Open Scouting Individual units All unitsNational volunteers AwarenessActions Actions DialogueActions TrainingActions

In addition, addressing: Communication Parts of advice Advisory Council of the Ambrassade Scouts and Guides all over the world

Sustainability Final Report Evaluation New applications

Treshold Quarter maps the strength of a unit as a team, checks their financial resources and verifies their enthusiasm.

Diversity matrix FOS Open Scouting Individual units All unitsNational volunteers AwarenessTreshold Quarter Actions Actions DialogueActions TrainingActions

Partnerships and trajectory The local partner is completely chosen by our units themselves. So they choose a risk group themselves according to their interests and dependent on their context. Once we found a local partner we are searching for a common goal between the unit and the partner.

Succes story Jakketoes training for leaders to strengthen them to lower the financial barrier for their members. These training was given by our local partner. Organizing a an activity between our local partner vzw ‘t hope (children and youngsters in poverty) and our units monitor the members that drop out by means of house counselling.

Diversity matrix FOS Open Scouting Individual units All unitsNational volunteers AwarenessTreshold Quarter Actions Actions DialogueTrajectoriesActions TrainingActions

Solidarity on measurement funding

Diversity matrix FOS Open Scouting Individual units All unitsNational volunteers AwarenessTreshold Quarter SOM-fonds Actions DialogueTrajectoriesActions TrainingIf neededDiversityTrainin g program Actions

Lectures

Working groups

Diversity matrix FOS Open Scouting Individual units All unitsNational volunteers AwarenessTreshold Quarter SOM-fonds Working groups DialogueTrajectoriesStart weekendLectures TrainingIf neededDiversity in Training program Lectures

The future MoP Funding until december ‘15 New application this summer  Stronger  Directly usable for local groups and european region Sharing is caring

What to remember Messengers Of Peace as a project of FOS Open Scouting in order to: by 2017 consciously dealing with Diversity Lowering barriers in youth work This project distinguishes us from other scouting groups by means of a logical and consistent plan and a dialogue coach. Already first succes stories

Contact Mathias Algoet  Staff member Program & Vision  Femke Decoster  Staff member Diversity/ Dialogue coach  Luc Ibis Rubben  International Commissioner WOSM 