Monday, 22 May 2006

Dear friends,

Those who have attended the European Conference of Canterbury in June 2004, may remember that the National Scout and Guide Fellowships of France and Hungary had presented together a project that they had implemented together in 2003 as a “Good Turn”, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship.

It concerned the support to the Centre “Oltalom” for displaced children in Bekescaba, in Hungary.

 This work had been done in cooperation with the representations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in France and in Hungary.

 In Canterbury, you had been told that one year later, in 2005, during the World Conference you would be informed about the follow up of this project.

 And indeed, in Lillehamer, you have been given the news that, on the request of the World Committee of that time, the study of a project of partnership between ISGF and UNHCR at the World level was being done.

 The continuation of the project of partnership has become still more evident after the vote of the “Vision” for ISGF, the first paragraph of which says : “ISGF will be a worldwide network, visible and active in making a better world” and of the “Strategic goals”

The third paragraph of which says “we will identify and activate opportunities for support and service both locally and internationally”.

 Till more precisely, in the 2005-2008 World Committee Action Plan, it is said “focus on the challenges of our time (environment, peace…) and work with WAGGGS, WOSM, UN (United Nations) or by ourselves.”

 But

• it is not because the operation in Hungary has been a success
• it is not because this project has been spoken about several times in an official manner
• it is not because there is some coherence between our texts and this proposal of partnership.

It was also necessary that the two organisations share some fundamental values.

 The study of more than 2000 “Good Turns”

listed in 2003 has shown that ISGF is a great organisation of solidarity at the local, national and international levels ; it is the way that you have found, you the members of ISGF, to work for Peace.

Since 1950, UNHCR has helped more than 50 millions refugees ; today, UNHCR protects more than 19 millions ; UNHCR works for Peace.

 The two organisations share those fundamental values which reflects the real spirit of our Guiding and Scouting and they intend to join heir efforts to defend Peace in the world and to make a better world.

 So it is at the end of a long-drawn-out job with the General headquarters of UNHCR in Geneva, as well as with the Representation of UNHCR France, that a document of awareness has been written which will allow all the members of ISGF to know better the UNHCR and to think to the countless ways each one will find to give its collaboration.

With this letter, you will find the project of partnership which is presently at the legal service at the Headquarters in Geneva, to be re-read and before signature.

 A short time hence, you’ll find the document of awareness on the website of ISGF http://www.isgf.org and on the same site a link which will send you on the website of the UNHCR http://www.unhcr.

If you want a written document, it may be sent to you on your request.

 The ISGF World Committee is there to propose you some ideas of actions, to arouse others.

 Of course, nobody will oblige you to get in touch with the representation of the UNHCR in your country, nobody will oblige you to get involved n actions in partnership with the UNHCR.

But the members of the World Committee know how to keep the spirit of service alive and that they will be able to rely on you.

 As soon as the document of awareness is on the ISGF Website, take with you all the documents you have and go and meet the Representation of the UNHCR in your country, tell that a statement of partnership is going to be signed by both organisations at the world level and propose to help.

June 20^th, International day for refugees would be a good start.

In the name of the ISGF World Committee, I thank you by advance for the welcome you’ll give to this new project which is proposed to you.

Martine Levy

ISGF World Committee Chair.