77th BP Fellowship Event a resounding success in KL!
Our 77th Baden-Powell Fellowship Event took place in stunning Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23–26 October 2025. More than 200 BP Fellows, distinguished guests, Scouts and Board Members, including our Honorary Chairman, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, converged on Malaysia's dynamic capital for three days of fellowship, discovery and celebration of the impact of the global Movement, and a shared commitment to empowering young people through Scouting.
Over three days, we enjoyed a diverse and engaging programme designed to highlight the impact of Malaysian and international Scouting, honour our dedicated supporters, welcome new BP Fellows with our iconic Fellowship pin presented by HM The King of Sweden, celebrate World Scouting, share progress on the Foundation’s strategy, discover local Kuala Lumpur and allow our BP Fellows to connect with others in our unique network.
Our Opening & Update Session
The 77th BP Fellowship Event was officially opened on 23 October by Rob Woolford, Chair of the World Scout Foundation, making his final address in this role and underscoring the importance of our mission to strengthen support to World Scouting so that more young people can become ready for life, developing critical life and leadership skills. Chief Executive Officer, Mark Knippenberg, also welcomed BP Fellows and recognised everyone involved in bringing the event to life. Dato Mohd Zin Bidin, National Chief Scout, Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia, recently elected as Chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee, gave a special address welcoming all participants and highlighting how the Scouts Association of Malaysia aims to empower young people to become responsible global citizens.
“Together, we strive to expand inclusion, strengthen good governance, and champion the Sustainable Development Goals. We aim to make Scouting a home for every child — regardless of background — where every young person feels valued, respected, and capable of changing the world.”
Dato Mohd Zin Bidin, National Chief Scout, Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia.
Daniël Corsen, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee, thanked BP Fellows worldwide as he spoke about the strong adoption and progress of the new Vision and Strategy for Scouting, which is guiding World Scouting to become the world’s most inspiring and inclusive youth movement.
The World Scout Foundation plays an essential role in supporting the growth, innovation and impact of the Scout Movement worldwide. This event celebrates both the Foundation’s incredible work, as well as the generosity of long-standing and newly joined Baden-Powell Fellows. Together, your support enables us to reach more than 60 million Scouts in 228 countries and territories, ensuring that even more young people and volunteers can experience the life-changing magic of Scouting.”
Daniël Corsen, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee
A dynamic World Scout Foundation Update Session followed, sharing a progress report on the Foundation’s Strategy 2022–2030, a question and answer session, then a dynamic marketplace exhibition on World Scouting’s priority programmes, as funded with donor support, the Founder’s Heritage legacy giving programme of the Foundation, and more!
From the Boardroom to the World Scout Bureau!
Our Programme on Friday 24 October featured a breakfast for Members of the Honours Programme, “KL Tours” for BP Fellows to discover either the iconic World Scout Bureau Global Support Centre, or the Petronas Twin Towers, whilst 20 Young BP Fellows teamed up with over 60 Malaysian Rover Scouts in Gombak, Selangor and guests from Ericsson Malaysia for a day of community service to paint and clean up a local surau — an Islamic assembly space for worship and learning — and plant a corner garden in local Scout grounds. The 80th Meeting of the World Scout Foundation Board also met during the day.
Our 77th BP Fellowship Gala Dinner
On Friday night, 500 guests — BP Fellows, Scouts and distinguished guests gathered at the Mayang Sari Ballroom of the JW Marriott for a night of celebration and purpose. 72 BP Fellows, including 11 Honours Programme Members (including couples — a total of 17 individuals), were welcomed into the BP Fellowship by our Honorary Chairman, HM The King of Sweden and our new Chair, Beat Wenger, with 43 coming from Malaysia!
In his inaugural address, WSF Chair Beat Wenger spoke passionately about the common goals of the Foundation and World Scouting and urged all BP Fellows and guests to continue their support.
“For every kid that is given the chance to participate in Scouting, we increase the chances of a better life for the child itself. But we also significantly increase the chance for a stronger, successful and more peaceful society. Looking at all the challenges, we face globally today, from politics and wars to environmental change and natural disasters, I say to you: we need more Scouts in this world, for more reasons than ever before!”
Beat Wenger, World Scout Foundation Chair
Our Malaysia Board Member Dato’ Soo Keng Yeoh praised the Honorary Chairman’s servant leadership over 48 years, welcomed the new BP Fellows and spoke to the significance of the event being hosted in Malaysia,
As a proud Malaysian, it is my great honour to welcome all of you to the 77th Baden-Powell Fellowship Event, here in Kuala Lumpur — a place of special significance, as Malaysia is home to the World Scout Bureau, the global headquarters of the Scout Movement. This makes our gathering especially meaningful. It is not only a celebration of the growth of the Baden-Powell Fellowship and the unity of more than 60 million Scouts across 176 National Scout Organizations — but also a moment of homecoming for our global Scouting family.”
Dato' Soo Keng Yeoh, WSF Board Member.
Chief Executive Officer, Mark Knippenberg, led the acknowledgements, including to the Immediate Past Chair, Rob Woolford for his years of dedication and service and then, to Dato’ Soo Keng Yeoh, her family and the YTL Group, for the phenomenal commitment, introduction of BP Fellows, broad and generous support for the event. Mark then introduced our “Scout King”, HM The King of Sweden, recognising his 48 years of active service and leadership as Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation.
His Majesty then closed the Gala Dinner with a dynamic address, underlining how, in a time of growing division, Scouting offers genuine community, meaningful challenges and prepares young people with vital skills to be Ready for Life.
Tonight, as we celebrate World Scouting, the impact of Scouting and your ongoing support, I invite you to imagine what more we can achieve together. Every young person we reach, every new programme or project we make possible, every barrier we remove – each one means changed lives and stronger communities. Thank you all for your support, your generosity, your partnership, your hard work, and your belief in the power of Scouting.”
HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation
Impact of Scouting Seminar
On the morning of 25 October, our 2025 Impact of Scouting Seminar, at the Asia Scout of Business, on the theme of “Active Scouts, resilient communities”, featured three young Scouts from the Philippines and Indonesia and Malaysia, who highlighted how Scouting had impacted their lives, the lives of young people around them and their communities.
Precious spoke powerfully about her mission to empower young women in Scouting and beyond, overcoming challenges and prejudice. Through Scouting, she helps others build confidence, courage, and leadership — proving that strength shines brightest when it inspires others. Restu Nissa Hafiza, a Rover Scout leader who has dedicated her Scouting journey to inclusion, shared how she ensures, through her work in Scouting, that every young person — regardless of ability — feels welcome and valued. Sean then shared how he and his Sea Scouts had combined leadership, maritime adventure, and acts of kindness to connect with and strengthen local communities, as part of the wider Young Peace Builders Programme, a partnership between World Scouting and the Temasek Foundation, which empowers young people across Southeast Asia to lead peace initiatives in their own communities.
Following audience question and answers, our skilled Malaysian Scout volunteer MC, Eeyeng Lim, then moderated a vibrant panel discussion featuring Chrissy Pollithy, Member of the World Scout Committee and World Scout Foundation Board; Distinguished Professor Joseph Cherian, CEO, President and Dean of the Asia School of Business; Kim Robert de Leon, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Young BP Fellow & former Secretary General of the Philippines National Scout Organisation; and Norsyarmimi Bt Che Lah, Chairperson of the National Youth & Governing Board Member of the Malaysian Red Crescent.
Together, they exchanged views on investing in Scouting, including as a strategic lever for long-term economic and social resilience, how Scouting can shape individuals to drive positive social change, how Scouting and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent can work together to ensure communities are prepared and resilient in times of crisis and the role of youth-led interventions play in strengthening that resilience before crises occur. An animated audience Questions and Answer session followed, along with a passionate introduction to our upcoming Appeal.
Scout Activity
BP Fellows and guests travelled to BP House, the headquarters of the Scouts Association of Malaysia, to discover the rich history of Malaysian Scouting and participate in activities related to Scouts Go Solar (solar energy), Dialogue for Peace, the coffee Barista employability skills and badge programme, and more! A highlight of the visit was the presentation to our Honorary Chairman of a traditional royal headdress crafted from songket cloth by Dato’ Mohd Zin Bidin, the National Chief Scout — a meaningful gesture that beautifully reflected the motif of our 77th Event and symbolised the deep friendship and shared values between Malaysian Scouting and the World Scout Foundation.
Our finale: The Malaysia Evening
Our event came to a resplendent close, as we were again hosted by Dato’ Soo Keng Yeoh at the Sentul Pavilion, enjoying a Malaysian Evening of local culinary specialities, cultural performances, dances, and Malaysian jazz. BP Fellows enjoyed the international friendship of our BP Fellowship and exchanged with BP Fellows, Scouts and guests from Kuala Lumpur, including the City Mayor, Dato' Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif!
Exceptional hospitality
This first BP Fellowship Event in Malaysia was made possible thanks to the exceptional generosity and support of our Malaysia Board Member, Dato’ Soo Keng Yeoh, her family, and the YTL Group, together with our Scout hosts, Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia — the Scouts Association of Malaysia, and the strong support of World Scouting and the World Scout Bureau Global Support Centre, also based in Kuala Lumpur. Their exceptional hospitality and support to prepare the event over the last six months created an unforgettable experience for all attendees. We would like to also thank all the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare and deliver the event.
Above all, we are deeply appreciative of the unwavering support of all our BP Fellows worldwide. We could not do this without you and value every single gift.
We hope you enjoy the Media Galleries of the event here
Additional media will continue to be shared in the coming days and weeks with participants via our website and social media.
Photo Credits: World Scout Foundation, Kerwin Chik Studio, Edwin Lam, Pablo Cuadro Caro