1. Norges speiderforbund Cultural multitude and integration in scouting Kirvil Kaasa, The Norwegian Guide and Scout Association (NGSA) Growth Network Meeting, Helsinki December 2008

2. 2 Demographic facts about Norway: -population: 4 800 000 (+ <1% per year) - 9,7% are immigrants -19% under 14 years (920 000) -87% are members of the evangelic-lutheran church -4% are of other religions

3. 3 In the largest cities, it’s different … Oslo: 23% of the population have immigrant background. Only 1/5 of these are of European or US American origin. In 48 of the 138 children’s schools in Oslo, children of Norwegian parents are a minority. In 5 schools, more than 90% of the pupils have a different ethnic background.

4. 4 This is not reflected in the guide and scout groups … Very few – if any – members with non-western background. In general, few children of non-western immigrants take part in organised activities (only 12% of Pakistani girls). More than 95 % of the children want to take part in organised activities.

5. 5 The guides and scouts of Oslo wanted to thange this … A few Oslo groups have worked towards integration of non-western youths and adults in their activities since 2000. Brochure with information for parents about scouting in ten languages. Still, it has been very hard to attract new members from non-western immigrant families.

6. 6 2008: New project: a Moslem guide and scout group Earlier efforts to form a moslem group have not been successful Governmental funding now enables the NGSA to hire a full time project manager for one year. The aim is to start a moslem guide and scout group in Oslo. The group should get support from an experienced Oslo group, 17. Oslo. The NGSA aims at cooperating with moslem societies and the mosque in Oslo.

7. 7 Cooperation and communiation are the key words … The NGSA contacts the mosque and establishes a good dialogue with the leaders of the mosque and with leaders of the children’s and young people’s activities Challenge for the moslem society: The work with young people was not organised, thus it was not a part of a larger network

8. 8 Step by step to a new group The NGSA helps the moslem society form a youth organisation. A guide and scout group is then planned around activities that fit with moslem belief, values, customs and culture and with the core values of scouting in NGSA: Friendship – cooperation – outdoor life and adventures Ten scout leaders are recruited among the active youth leaders

9. 9 Rabita Guide and Scout group is founded The leaders are mostly young moslems The members are both girls and boys The members of Rabita and 17. Oslo represent ten nationalities The two groups do outdoor activities together 17. Oslo is a mentor group for Rabita They have so far been on four outdoor adventures Some of the leaders take part in Overture in Milan The members of 17. Oslo benefit from the cooperation.

10. 10 Photo: Aften newspaper, Norway

11. 11 The largest Oslo newspaper writes a big article about Rabita, interview the leaders and the children The government contacts the NGSA: They can offer foundings for a project aiming to prevent forced marriages with special focus on girls Three of the leaders from Rabita speaks in front of 100 politicians at a meeting on cultural multitude and integration in organisations The word spreads …

12. 12 The children and adults of Rabita say: ”It’s fun to get to know other children” ”I always learn something new” ”I didn’t like being outdoors before, now I look forward to it” ”I have involved my family in outdoor activities” ”We prepare the food outdoors ourselves – that’s fun!”

13. 13 What happens now? Guide and scouts groups in other Norwegian cities are enthusiastic and want to try the same Governmental funding now enables the NGSA to keep the full time project manager for 2009. Interested in finding out more? Please contact project manager Anette Guldahl: anette.guldahl@speiding.no