Scouting is an international Movement that encourages meetings across cultural and geographical borders. An important part of Scouting is to meet and develop from the exchange with others from across the globe. The World Scout Conference, the World Scout Youth Forum, the World Scout Jamboree and the World Scout Moot (together called the World Events) are arranged on a regular basis, on locations decided by the World Scout Conference. The Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI), the World Scout Education Congress and the World Scout Inter-religious Symposium are also international events organised and/or supported by World Scouting.
World Events
World Scout Conference
What? The World Scout Conference is the governing body of WOSM. This is where the member organisations consider the policy and standards of the Scout Movement, formulate the general policy of the World Organization, and take the action required to further the purpose of the Movement.
Who? Each National Scout Organization can send a maximum of six delegates and a number of observers to take part in the event. There are no age restrictions for delegates or observers.
When? The World Scout Conference takes place every three years, in conjunction with the World Scout Youth Forum. The first Conference took place in 1920 in England. Slovenia hosted the 40th World Scout Conference in 2014, and the 41st World Scout Conference took place in Azerbaijan in 2017. For more information about the 41st World Scout Conference, please visit the 41st World Scout Conference page.
Documentation from recent World Scout Conferences:
40th World Scout Conference (2014)
39th World Scout Conference (2011)
38th World Scout Conference (2008)
37th World Scout Conference (2005)
36th World Scout Conference (2002)
World Scout Youth Forum
Documentation from recent World Scout Youth Forums: 12th World Scout Youth Forum, Slovenia 2014 11th World Scout Youth Forum, Brazil 2011 10th World Scout Youth Forum, Korea 2008 9th World Scout Youth Forum, Tunisia 2005 8th World Scout Youth Forum, Greece 2002 7th World Scout Youth Forum, South Africa 1999
What? The World Scout Youth Forum provides an opportunity for young members of World Scouting to discuss and express their views on different issues, and many participants are also delegates at the World Scout Conference. Through preparing inputs and making recommendations to the World Scout Conference and to the World Scout Committee, participants will develop the skills necessary to take part in decision-making processes. The World Scout Youth Forum is considered as an interim measure to improve youth involvement in decision-making at world level.
Who? Each National Scout Organization can send up to two delegates and three observers. Delegates must be aged 18-26 at the time of the event.
When? The World Scout Youth Forum takes place every three years, in conjunction with the World Scout Conference. The first Forum took place in 1971 in Japan. Slovenia hosted the 12th World Scout Youth Forum in 2014, and Azerbaijan hosted the 13th World Scout Youth Forum in 2017. Read more information about the 2017 World Scout Youth Forum here.
World Scout Jamboree
What? The World Scout Jamboree is the largest regular event organised by the Scout Movement, gathering up to 40 000 people from all over the world. It is above all an educational event to promote peace and understanding. The World Scout Jamboree includes a wide variety of activities and also places great importance on the everyday life and interaction on the campsite.
Who? Participants must be 14-17 years old at the time of the event. If you are 18 or older you can take part as International Service Team (IST, volunteer staff).
When? The World Scout Jamboree takes place every four years in a different country. The first World Scout Jamboree took place in England in 1920. North America hosted the World Scout Jamboree in 2019 and the next World Scout Jamboree will be held in South Korea in 2023. For more information about the 25th World Scout Jamboree 2023 in South Korea, visit the event page or the event site. Information about recent World Scout Jamborees: 24th World Scout Jamboree (2019) 23rd World Scout Jamboree (2015) 22nd World Scout Jamboree (2011) 21st World Scout Jamboree (2007) History of the World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Moot
What? The World Scout Moot is an event for senior branches (traditionally called Rovers) and other young adult members, gathering up to 5,000 people. Moots provide an opportunity for young adults in Scouting to meet together with the objective of improving their international understanding as citizens of the world.
Who? Participants must be 18-25 years old at the time of the event. If you are 26 or older you can take part as International Service Team (IST, volunteer staff).
When? The Moot takes place every four years in a different country, but this has varied somewhat since the first World Scout Moot in Switzerland in 1931. Iceland hosted the Moot in 2017, and the next one took place in 2025. For more information about the 2017 Moot in Iceland, visit the event page and the event site. Information about recent World Scout Moots: 14th World Scout Moot (2013) 13th World Scout Moot (2010) History of the World Scout Moot
JOTA-JOTI
What? Jamboree On The Air - Jamboree On The Internet (JOTA-JOTI®) is an event that enables Scouts (and Guides) from all over the world to meet, even though they might not be in the same geographical location. JOTA-JOTI uses Amateur Radio and the Internet. It is the largest Scouting event in the world with over 1 million youth participating. The first JOTA took place in 1958 and the first JOTI in 1997.
Who? Scouts (and Guides) of any age can participate in JOTA-JOTI. (Amateur radio stations normally need to be operated by licensed amateur radio operators.)
When? It is an annual event that takes place the third weekend of October. Future dates are: • 15 to 17 October 2021 • 21 to 23 October 2022 • 20 to 22 October 2023 More information, please visit www.world-jotajoti.info. Reports on past JOTA-JOTI events can be found at www.world-jotajoti.info/annualreports.
World Scout Interreligious Symposium
What? The World Scout Inter-religious Symposium (WSIS) is a gathering of representatives of National Scout Organizations and religious networks, some of which have Consultative Status with the World Scout Committee. The WSIS helps reinforce the value of Scouting as an institution promoting interreligious dialogue, tolerance, solidarity and peace. The WSIS furthers co-operation and understanding of interreligious issues throughout the Scout Movement.
When? The World Scout Inter-religious Symposium takes place every three years in a different country and is coordinated by the World Scout Inter-religious Forum (a network of religious organisations in Scouting). The first one took place in Spain in 2003. Korea hosted the Symposium in 2012, and the next one took place in 2017 in the United States. For more details about the Symposium have a look at our event page. Information about recent Inter-religious Symposiums: 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium (2012) 3rd World Scout Interreligious Symposium (2009) 2nd World Scout Interreligious Symposium (2008) 1st World Scout Interreligious Symposium (2005)
World Scout Education Congress
What? The World Scout Education Congress is a new event, first run in 2013, which brings together people from all over the world to share, discuss and debate their experiences and expertise in Youth Programme and Adult Resources.
Who? National Adult Resources Commissioners, Youth Programme Commissioners, International Commissioners, Chief Commissioners and other key NSO decision-makers. The event also invites inputs from experts in the theory of education and from representatives of other youth organisations offering educational programmes.
When? The 2nd World Scout Education Congress took place in 2017 at Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland from 11 to 15 May 2017. It followed the successful 1st World Scout Education Congress held in Hong Kong in 2013. You can learn more about the next event here. Link to 1st World Scout Education Congress Report (2013) Link to 2nd World Scout Education Congress Report (2017)
International Events
In the International Events List you can find information about camps and other Scouting events taking place around the world where Scouts from other countries are invited to attend. If you wish to add an event to the list, fill in the International Events form and send it to your National Scout Organization to provide the World Scout Bureau with the relevant information and approval. Click in Event Library to find information on some of the events that are planned in the coming years.