40,000 scouts from around the world took part in the 100th World Scout Jamboree, in Chelmsford, England, 2007, and had the opportunity to experience what life is like for a refugee, thanks to UNHCR's role plays and a variety of games run by local partner, STAR (Student Action for Refugees). © UNHCR/C.Graham
Welcome home, Scouts!

If you're here, it means you got back safely from the World Scout Jamboree. It also means that maybe you'd like to help those who aren't so lucky and are still unable to go home because of war and persecution?

We hope so. Here's our quick guide on how scouts can get involved and help refugees world-wide:

1) Take a look at the photo galleries. Are you there? Send the link to your friends and tell them what you got up to!

2) Remember the blindfolds, falling over in the mud? Relive the 'fun' by trying out Passages with the rest of your patrol or take it into school and enjoy it with your classmates.

3) Or maybe the Balloon Game was more your style? Click here for all you need to show your friends how they can learn about refugees in this fun and, not so muddy, way.

4) Prefer taking it easy in front of your computer? Play 'Against All Odds' in English, Finnish, German, Greek, Norwegian and Swedish. Will you be able to make it to the end this time?

5) Thought it was just a game? Take our quick quiz and surprise yourself with how much you learnt.

6) Keep up-to-date and sign-up to UNHCR's e-newsletter.

7) A picture tells a thousand words, so check out some of UNHCR's videos from refugee emergencies worldwide.

8) Organise a fundraising event or ask friends and family to become regular donors. Your donation can buy new shelters, provide vital healthcare or help young refugees attend school. You can donate online today.

9) Want to know more? Or even help out locally? Contact your local UN Refugee Agency office to find out what you could do. For example, scouts in Ireland invite refugees to their activities to boost interest in scouting and help people settle into their new communities.

10) Share this website with your friends, Scout leaders and teachers. If you've enjoyed these games and learning about refugees, spread the word.

Scout leaders – find out more . . .


UNHCR and the World Scout Association are partners, supporting each others work and raising awareness of refugee issues amongst young people around the world.

The 2007 World Scout Jamboree was not the first time UNHCR participated in international scouting events. For details of UNHCR's involvement at previous Scout events, please see the related news articles in the right hand column.

UNHCR has specially developed teaching tools which can help Scout leaders as well as teachers raise awareness of refugee issues.

Want to explore refugee issues more in your work? Sign-up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date and contact your nearest UN Refugee Agency office to see how your patrol can make a difference locally (see above for some ideas).

For the official MOU between UNHCR and the World Scout Movement, click here.




21st World Scout Jamboree

The 2007 World Scout Jamboree took place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford in the United Kingdom from 27 July to 8 August. Visit the official Jamboree website for more information.
(external link, new window)



STAR

A UK charity working with students and young people to support refugees everywhere.
(external link, new window)


Balloon Game
STAR's simple and fun game to raise awareness of the problems refugees must juggle with in a new land.
[PDF, 3pp., 108Kb]


Passages
UNHCR's simulation game on which STAR's shorter 'Journey to Safety' is based. Please contact STAR directly for more information on 'Journey to Safety' workshops.
[PDF, 75pp., 222Kb]



Photo Galleries

At the 100th World Scout jamboree, UNHCR's role play games and other fun activities got scouts thinking about refugee issues and how they can help refugees in their own countries.



Against All Odds

Play the online game in English, Finnish, German, Greek, Norwegian and Swedish.



YouTube

UNHCR's videos from refugee emergencies worldwide on youtube.com.



Related news articles

News stories from UNHCR.
More...