Helen's initial reflections

I thought it would be good to reflect here on the GWF and to consider the learning, as well as how to take it forward.  I am now back home in the UK.  After an extremely intensive conference programme, it is strange to be back, trying to find ways to articulate what was a life-changing experience.  Those of you who know me will know that I don't like clichés like 'life-changing', but it really was.  Let me try and explain...  

To meet Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world is itself, fascinating.  To be able to strike up conversations with absolutely anyone at the conference, purely because we had Guiding or Girl Scouting in common, is hard to describe.  From the moment we arrived at O'Hare airport and met several of the international delegations, I knew this was going to be an engaging and unique experience.  We sat with the delegation from Burundi as we travelled to downtown Chicago.  The freeway is either side of the trainline.  They don't have trains in Burundi, and they certainly don't have skyscrapers.  Even travelling from the airport to the hotel was an extraordinary international experience. 

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The train between the lanes of the freeway

On arrival, the magnitude of the event started to dawn, as we were ushered between different rooms collecting information, t-shirts, a water-bottle and all sorts of other goodies for the event.  We were also issued with translation equipment.

There then followed an intensive programme, separate for delegates and chaperones.  The girls' programme consisted of a series of practical workshops, talks, interactive discussions about the three MDGs we were focussing on.  The chaperone programme looked at how we as chaperones can support the girls with delivering their Take Action projects when they get home.  Once the delegates had worked out an action plan for their project, there was a session run by Zeenat Rahman, who is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Special Adviser for Global Youth Issues at U.S. Department of State.  The delegations had the opportunity to tell everyone about their plan, and to ask Zeenat to advise on how to take the project forward. 

Amy and Issi outline their project to Zeenat Rahman and the other delegations.

It was made clear to me how important it is that the delegates themselves deliver the project, with support from their chaperone. The whole purpose of the GWF was to enable girls who have been put forward by their Council or MO, to put together their own action plan. In one of the Chaperone sessions, we were asked to affirm our commitment to supporting the delegates, then all of these pledges became leaves on a tree:

My pledge

The pledges became leaves on a tree

So what happens now? The delegates have written an action plan, and we are soon talking to think about how to take it forward. Nothing is set in stone as yet, but more will follow. You can read the delegates' blog posts about their plans, that's for them to explain. I've learnt a lot about how important it is to take a step back, to allow the girls themselves to take charge of the plan. The whole purpose of the GWF was to empower the young delegates to deliver their projects, after training them in how to do so, and our programme was very much 'how to support' the delivery of this. It was an extremely useful programme for me, which I will put into action in various areas.

Guiding and Girl Scouting provide a unique opportunity for girls and young women to engage with these global issues, in a way that other activities do not. Please keep reading our blog because we will be using it to tell you about the girls' project, currently called 'Living a Political Life'.
Thanks to you for reading this. It was lovely and encouraging to receive comments, e-mails and texts from people.

If you are in Guiding, I hope it has conveyed the importance of the international side of Guiding, which should be delivered in every programme - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section; it is crucial that our members realise what they are part of, and how as individuals and in groups, they can work together to bring about change. Members have 10 million sisters around the world - Guiding is most definitely not just another evening activity! It is part of something huge.

If you are not in Guiding, maybe this has inspired you to think about becoming involved. We have giant waiting-to-join lists across the country, of girls who would like to join units. There are all sorts of opportunities for adults to get involved, to fit around your existing commitments. Come on - help to change the world! Look here for more details. Maybe you have been reading this without realising how huge Guiding is, and how powerful the Guiding and Girl Scouting family can be when it gathers together to learn. Imagine what is going to happen now that delegations from 89 countries have got together, shared ideas, written action plans, and have now returned to their Member Organisations!
I'll leave it there today. Am off to unpack and pick up the different strands of life. Thanks again for reading this, and please do keep reading as the project evolves. Best wishes, Helen BB