18 BP Fellows recognised at Luxembourg Fellowship Event
The historic Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was the setting for an iconic Baden-Powell Fellowship recognition event on 8 September, taking place on the occasion of the hosting of the Foundation Board in Luxembourg City by our Chair, HRH The Crown Prince of Luxembourg.
18 new BP Fellows were recognised at the event in the Grand Duke Jean Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg, or Mudam, of which 11 were new BP Fellows who had joined in 2022. Those recognised were all from or connected to Luxembourg and included BP Fellows from the Grand Duchy, Switzerland and the United States of America.
The evening’s formal proceedings started with the arrival of Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, together with World Scout Foundation Chair, HRH The Crown Prince of Luxembourg and HRH The Crown Princess of Luxembourg.
HM The King of Sweden took to the stage immediately to announce the sad passing of HM, Queen Elizabeth II, a dedicated supporter of Scouting and youth education and exemplary role model for unwavering service to others, and to express His deepest condolences to the British Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom. His Majesty led all the guests present — BP Fellows and guests, Foundation Board and Committee Members, and staff — in a minute’s silence in respect and memory of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
As the evening continued, the guests had the opportunity to exchange and discuss service to World Scouting and how to increase fundraising efforts in support of the 57 million and counting Scouts worldwide, in benefit of young people and their communities.
The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Knippenberg, recognise the work of local BP Fellows from Luxembourg, championed by His Royal Highness, to expand the Fellowship and thanked all present for their support to World Scouting: Minou Weber, George Lentz and Adrienne Meyers-Lentz; Guy Aach and Danielle Aach-Hertz.
“Together we are working hard, having set ambitions goals, to provide even more support for World Scouting so that more young people can have the opportunity to experience Scouting, gain important skills, knowledge and confidence to drive positive change in their communities worldwide. We want to strengthen Scouting and its impact, and we can only do this together with you, our BP Fellows, who generously support World Scouting with your passion, time and resources.” Mark Knippenberg, World Scout Foundation CEO
He then underlined appreciation for the exceptional support and leadership from the Luxembourg Royal Family for the Foundation, first from the beloved Grand Duke Jean, for whom the stunning venue was named, and now from His grandson, HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, as a BP Fellow, Board Member and Chair of the Foundation.
HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, spoke about global challenges and how Scouts respond to global issues, guided by the values, skills and confidence gained through Scouting from an early age.
“Values guide us as Scouts, in our actions, in our tasks, in the decisions we take. They help our children develop personal skills – ethics; caring for others, respect for nature, leadership, and citizenship. Skills that will influence their adult lives and contribute to making our societies more resilient to present and future challenges. [...] What I find the most inspiring and remarkable is Scouts’ commitment and response today in this complex world.”
The World Scout Foundation is an extraordinary opportunity to serve Scouting on a very large scale. [...] We share this passion for Scouting that drives us to enlarge our network so that more young people can enjoy Scouting.” HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, Chair of the World Scout Foundation
Video highlights of the remarkable impact of Scouting worldwide were shared and Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and Andy Chapman, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee — both Foundation Board Members and BP Fellows — spoke about how Scouting was made possible with the support of BP Fellows.
“Scouting’s impact is clear, and it remains as relevant today as it was over 115 years ago. We must continue to make Scouting a modern, relevant and attractive educational offering if we want to ensure that Scouting reaches its targets for growth and evolves to meet the needs and aspirations of this generation and future generations of young people.” Ahmad Alhendawi, WOSM Secretary General and World Scout Foundation Board Member
“Scouts are tackling some of the most pressing social, economic and environmental issues affecting young people, and our planet, right now, driving progress to achieve the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. As we look to the future, we should keep reminding ourselves that Scouting is a strong educational Movement, and such a powerful force for good in the world. Your support is more important than ever, and we welcome the work of the Foundation and BP Fellows both from here in Luxembourg and from across the world, to drive renewed fundraising efforts to create a better world, together.” Andy Chapman, World Scout Committee Chairperson and World Scout Foundation Board Member
BP Fellows witnessed how Scouts have returned to in-person events and activities and there is renewed commitment by young people and volunteers to serve their communities. They saw how Scouting has a positive influence on the development of young people, as validated by two external impact studies and were moved by Scouts’ continued support for humanitarian action. They were also inspired by an innovative community project to improve food security through vertical salad gardens in the Philippines, spearheaded by Young BP Fellow Kim Robert de Leon, and by the largest national re-forestation action project in Europe, “Boranka”, led by Croatian Scouts. Watch the videos shared here on the WSF YouTube channel.
Together, we celebrated the 18 BP Fellows presented with their BP Fellowship pin and certificate by HM The King of Sweden and HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg.
His Majesty addressed the new and long-time BP Fellows and guests, reflecting on cherished Scout memories and recognising the unwavering support of the Fellowship for World Scouting.
“Scouting changes lives for the better. And your support makes it possible. As we celebrate the new BP Fellows here tonight, I ask you all to help us to continue growing the Fellowship: Share your passion for Scouting with your friends and networks. Tell them about the great initiatives that we have heard about here. Let them know, that young Scouts are working hard to drive positive change. Always and everywhere.” HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, World Scout Foundation Honorary Chairman
Mark Knippenberg, CEO, thanked His Majesty for His unwavering support and leadership as Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation over the last 45 years and thanked and recognised Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden for Her constant support to the Foundation over this substantial number of years.
The venue for the event, the Grand Duke Jean Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg, or Mudam, was chosen in honour of the first Chief Scout of Luxembourg, BP Fellow and beloved grandfather of HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg. HRH Princess Stéphanie, The Crown Princess of Luxembourg, is Honorary President of the museum. The Mudam, with its contemporary architecture, stands on the site of the old fort Thüngen, an 18th century fortification. Designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect I. M Pei, combining tradition and modernity, the museum is committed to a more inclusive, tolerant and responsible world in which museums play a leading role in the transmission of our cultural heritage to future generations — an apt setting for our recognition event in support of World Scouting.
