 Peace-positive Scouting
in the Third Millenium
It is exciting for all of us to witness the turn of the century and the
arrival of a new millennium. As I thought about how to mark this
once-in-a-lifetime event, I
remembered the school violence of 1999 and the wars of the 20th Century. In the
background, the national news reported more terrorist
threats. As a mother, and as a Scouter, I want the violence to stop. Our Scouts must be
able to attend school without fear. They must be allowed to grow up peacefully. I can think of no
better way to celebrate the new year than for us to do something positive for peace.
As stated on the ir web site, the United Nations has invited the
world to celebrate One Day In Peace , January 1, 2000 as the beginning of the
International Year for the Culture of Peace!
The World Peace Day web site suggests:
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There
is so much violence in our world today. If we can show our children that peace is a worthy
goal to achieve, then perhaps we can teach them to negotiate instead of resorting to
physical confrontations. |
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Regardless of our
political viewpoints, after the numerous acts of violence involving children of Scouting
age which took place during 1999, the general idea of supporting world peace should be a
welcome one to Scouters. The question is: What can we do? To be effective, we must do more
than tell our Scouts we support peace.
I searched the web for suggestions and have compiled a list of ten things
Scouts and Scout Leaders can do. Perhaps you will find some of these fit into your Unit's
program for the year 2000 and beyond. Although you will probably never know, perhaps your
action and example to your Scouts, and their later interaction with other youth, may
prevent another Columbine-type incident. One of your Scouts may grow up to be a world
leader (it happened to Gerald Ford's Scoutmaster). Your example could influence world
events.
1. Establish A Minute of Peace. This web page suggests "stopping at
11:59pm on December 31, 1999, lighting a candle and dedicating a minute for a thought of
peace in the 3rd millennium." This same thing could be done at your next Pack Meeting
or Court of Honor.
2. Wear a white ribbon for peace. Again, this could something done in your
Unit or at a special event. When ribbons are presented, Scouts could explain their purpose
and goals as they have defined them. You can download a white ribbon to place
on your home page.
3. Plan an environmental project to restore the planet. Read what one
couple is doing with their Neighborhood Reforestation Project. Projects could be as simple as making bird
feeders or educating neighbors about how to protect endangered species.
4. Participate in
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