The International Peace Light is coming to Gilwell Park
Each year, an International Peace Light is lit, which is then carried throughout Europe and beyond. It's a powerful symbol of peace – and is more relevant now than ever in these troubled times. Since 1986, Scouts have played a key part in spreading the flame, and its message of peace throughout the world.
Carrying the flame
We’re honoured that in this, the 39th year of the Peace Light, Emily Jones, a World Scouting Youth Representative, and member of the UK International team, will be carrying the light to the UK.
Continuing a great tradition
Each year, a child from Upper Austria kindles a flame from the ‘Eternal Flame’ from the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is then flown to Austria where it's distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of peace, to their own countries.
Scouts can then take the light on to churches, hospitals, care homes, prisons, and places of public, cultural and political importance – to anybody that appreciates the significance of the gift.
In past years, the light has been presented to Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, the former King Hussain of Jordan, EU Presidents and member of the European Parliament.
How the flame will travel to the UK
Emily will attend a special peace ceremony, with young members of British Scouting Overseas, on Saturday 6 December 2025 at The New Cathedral in Linz, Austria. This is where she'll be entrusted with the flame on behalf of our membership.
She'll then (very carefully) transport this back across the Channel and finally take it to Gilwell Park, the home of Scouts on the edge of Epping Forest, arriving on the evening of 8 December.
The light will be kept safely in a storm lantern beneath altar in the Open Air Chapel at Gilwell throughout December.
The Peace Light is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate our global citizenship as Scouts and reaffirm that peace is a fundamental human right that we must uphold for one another. It’s an honour to be bringing the Peace Light, and it’s messaging back to the UK on behalf of our Scouts.
Emily Jones
How you can be part of it and continue the Peace Light
We'd be pleased to welcome you to Gilwell Park (E4 7QW) anytime from 9 to 24 December 2025, so you can light a lantern of your own from the Peace Light. You can then carry this light and its gift of peace to your area. Last access to the Peace Light is 12pm on 24 December.
You'll find the Storm Lantern containing the Peace Light beneath the altar in the Open Air Chapel. Please be respectful and careful when you light your own lantern from the flame and make sure you close the lantern afterwards. Please note this is self-run and not staffed. Thank you.