The World Federation of Independent Scouts is a non-governmental international Scouting organization.
We are more than 6.5 Million Scouts all over the World. We are present in more than 60 countries and we are still growing!
We are divided in Regions that organize activities for the members.
You can find more information of our regions visiting the websites of our Regional Councils.
Since 2014, we are a registered Youth Organization of United Nations by joining the Organization as a Non-Governmental Organization.
WFIS-Wordwide acts as an umbrella federation for regional scout organisations.
WFIS is open for all independent Scout Federations or Associations, feel yourself free to check the website and get to know more about the World Federation of Independent Scouts, about the various associations that are affiliated with the WFIS and get in contact with the different Regions.
If you have anymore question please contact us to office@wfis.world
https://wfis.world/scouting/
HOW WFIS WAS FOUNDED
Posted by webadmin | Jan 31, 2021 | Anniversary, World News | 0 |
After more than 20 years of friendship between groups from the UK and Germany, in 1993 during a meeting between 2 friendly associations an idea began to roll through the minds of scout leaders: to create a platform for common camps, events and leadership training. He even had a proposal for a name: “World Independent Scout Federation” and an idea, how the coat of arms could look like. Only missing were the associations to participate.
But it was not until 1996 when an article was published in the German Scout magazine called “Scouting” that the number of interested associations could really be seen.
As there were now many German groups interested, decision was made to run the foundation meeting in Germany. As Laubach (home of the Solmser Pfadfinderschaft) was located in the middle of Germany and close to Frankfurt airport, it seemed to be the best location for such a meeting.
Families of the scouts from Laubach provided accommodation for the participants, the local administration provided a meeting room in the townhall and nine associations from all parts of Germany sent their representatives to Laubach on the first weekend of October. Four leaders did come from England, representing Baden Powell Scouts from Great Britain, Ireland and Australia.
On October 5th, a foundation document was signed, and the representatives made the following decisions:
- The name of the organization should be “World Federation of Independent Scouts”
- A fleur-de-lys within a Zulu-shield – similar to the one the BP Scouts used, was decided to be the common emblem and every member association was supposed to wear this emblem somewhere on their uniforms
- The common basis for the work and prerequisite for membership would be traditional scouting, tolerance, scout law and promise.
- Lawrie Dring was elected first Chairman of WFIS worldwide
- Sub-organizations should subsequently be founded, based upon languages, starting with an “English Region” and a “German Region”
After that meeting, when the representatives of the associations returned home and had meetings with the rest of their association to decide whether or not to join WFIS, some decided not to join.
The work began immediately, despite the adversities encountered. In January 1997 the “German Region” was founded with other associations from Germany that joined after October 5th. Groups from Switzerland also joined (with members in Austria and Liechtenstein) and a group from Poland who joined the German Region as a guest.
The Foundation Representatives
Foundation Members were:
Baden Powell Scouts (BPSA) – UK, Ireland, Australia
Solmser Pfadfinderschaft (SP) – Germany
Bruderschaft Christlicher Pfadfinder (BCP) – Germany
Pfadfinderschaft Germania e.V. – Germany
Bund Europäischer St Georgs Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder (BESP) – Germany
Participating in the foundation meeting, but joined WFIS later:
Pfadfinderbund Weltenbummler e.V. (PbW)
Europäischer Pfadfinderbund St. Georg (EPG)
Participating in the foundation meeting, but have not joined WFIS:
Pfadfinderschaft Graue Reiter e.V.
Christliche Pfadfinderschaft Deutschlands e.V. (CPD)
Christliche Pfadfinderschaft Balduinsteiner Kreis
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Dear brothers and sisters in Scouting,
As a demanding year draws to the end, it is time to look back at the different sorts of Scouting which have taken place throughout the past 12 months: online virtual camps, online training and meetings, online group nights, activities which were cancelled and personal scout group nights which were suspended temporarily. In our regions around the world – Scout Leaders, Akelas, individual Associations did their best to stay in touch with their group members. Packs, Troops and Groups did their service towards Scouts and Guides and their country.
Online training courses, video meetings were organized in the various WFIS regions. There was support for individual members in several countries and lots more were organized by the various Regional Councils and the World Council.
Despite this challenging year, the World Federation of Independent Scouts has welcomed some new Associations from all over the world, as full and prospective members of our Scouting family.
Regional Councils could host their General Assemblies- some different than usual – and some held elections of the Regional Steering Committees. We as WFIS World Council do appreciate the work of the Regional Councils in this difficult year and we do wish the new elected Chairperson all the best for the future work.
In 2021 we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Federation of Independent Scouts. The World Council and the Regional Councils will organize some different events to celebrate solemnly our silver anniversary. The members of the World Council look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the coming year and celebrate that anniversary together with you.
During this year some sad news reached us, several Scout Brothers and Sisters passed away and will be sorely missed by those who knew them. We would like to express our deepest condolences.
Now, where social distancing may keep us away from friends and family, we are sure that the message of Christmas fills your life with joy and peace. We will spend time, thinking about those who have lost a family member or had less fortune in their life and start 2021 with new strength to stay closer and stronger together, as an international Scouting Family.
The Spirit of Scouting given to us all, by our Founder, Lord Baden Powell and the Scout Law will guide us in this critical time, we trust and hope that we can all return to a normal and better Scouting soon.
Continue to look after your own Association, your Group and Troop or Pack, your Guides and Scouts and your families; let us work together for a peaceful and caring world; let us show the civil society that they can count on a Scout word and do remember that
Thank you for being part of our Worldwide Scouting family.
In the name of the WFIS Council, I wish you, your family and your members
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Yours in traditional Scouting, on behalf of the WFIS World Council
Klaus Tegeder – President WFIS
Badges, flags, books and all our federal official supplies can be seen and bought in this catalogue. You can download it HERE.
HOW TO ORDER?1- Please, send a letter or an e-mail to the following addresses:
WFIS Supplies
Angelstr. 15
65558 Heistenbach
Germany
E-mail to office@wfis-worldwide.org
2- We will receive your request and we will manage your order by sending you a confirmation email so that you can proceed to the payment.
The Payment may be made by using one of the following methods:
- Paypal:
E-mail: office@wfis-worldwide.org
- Bank Transfer:
Sparkasse Laubach, Kontonummer: 19158, Blz.: 51352227
IBAN: DE78513522270000019158
SWIFT-BIC: HELADEF1LAU