Scouting is the largest global educational Movement for youth, that, for 100 years has been contributing to the creation of a better world through the personal involvement of the hundreds of millions of people who honoured the Scout Oath.

The World Organisation of the Scout Movement is a global movement, non-governmental and non-profit of 28 million members from over 216 countries and territories ( www.scout.org ). Two thirds of its members are from developing countries.

The World Bureau, based at Geneva, promotes international opportunities including camps and projects, with the aim of strengthening links between members of The World Organisation of the Scout Movement.

Today, Scouts across the world are involved in development projects as diverse as peace education, drug abuse prevention, clean water and sanitation, literacy, renewable energies and environmental conservation.

National Scout Organisations

There are 155 countries with recognized National Scout Organisations and 26 teritories with Scouts, often as overseas branches of member Scout Organisations.

Of the 155 National Scout Organizations, 122 belong only to the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), and 34 belong both to WOSM and to The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

Of the 122 National Scout Organizations which belong only to WOSM, 95 are open to boys and girls in some or in all programme sections. 20 are only for boys. All 34 National Scout Organizations which belong both to WOSM and to WAGGGS are open to boys and to girls.

There are 35 countries where Scouting exists (be it embryonic or widespread) but where there is no National Scout Organisation which is a member of WOSM.

There are 6 countries where Scouting, to WOSM's knowledge, does not exist; in some it would not be allowed. These are: