Scouts for peace: How we can help build a better future
From local Remembrance events to World Scout Jamborees, Scouts continue to strive for international peace, friendship and understanding. This year, as we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we look ahead to commemoration events, as well as simple actions we can take to build a better future.
We live in a troubled world. There are currently over 40 wars and conflicts taking place around the globe. Over 100,000 combatants and civilians lost their lives to war in 2024 alone, notably in Ukraine and Gaza.
This provides a stark backdrop to events commemorating peace this year. Sadly, war is not a thing of the past and we need to support our young people sensitively when discussing global issues and conflict. Many of our members, families and communities will be directly or indirectly impacted by wars, past and present.
However, events focused on peace have a vital role to play. This can offer much needed hope and opportunities for learning, and support a spirit of mutual understanding and empathy. This year is especially significant as it sees the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp (Holocaust Memorial Day), VE Day 80 (Victory in Europe) and VJ Day (Victory Over Japan Day).
Our role in promoting peace
As Scouts, we've always taken positive action to promote peace. World Scout Jamborees have become powerful ways to bring people together across borders, nurturing international understanding and friendship. The 1st World Scout Jamboree, held in London in 1920, was created specifically in response to the First World War to inspire peace among the next generation and between the nations.
In a similar spirit, Remembrance events each year in November give us an opportunity to give thanks for the peace some of us are lucky enough to enjoy. They also help us be mindful of those who've sacrificed their lives, continue to risk their lives and those who are living in places of conflict.
Messengers of Peace
At a global level, World Scouting’s Messengers of Peace help build a culture of peace and sustainable development worldwide.
This means education, awareness, supporting refugees and taking other humanitarian action.
Globally, over the last 15 years, Scouts have given 2.7 billion hours of service towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Here in the UK, we'll be looking at integrating Messengers for Peace and Dialogue for Peace into our programme later this year.
2025: A year of commemoration
Looking ahead, these are some of the key moments in 2025 when we will be thinking more deeply about peace. You may have already planned some activities in your programme around these.
In all cases, there are simple things Scouts can do, as well as more in-depth ways to explore the issue.
Each year on the same day, we commemorate and remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust during the Second World War. The date itself, 27 January, is the anniversary of the day Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp (in Poland) was liberated. Other genocides are also commemorated on the same day.
More widely, Holocaust Memorial Day is an important moment to challenge prejudice, hate speech, persecution and genocide denial. It unites us in remembrance, honours survivors and helps us collectively strive for a better future.
Indeed, this year the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘For a Better Future.’ It marks the 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and 30 years since the genocide in Bosnia in 1995.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has created some excellent ways to take action for a better future, including lighting a candle and placing it safely in your window at 8pm on 27 January, writing to your MP to raise awareness, or learning more about survivors like Yisrael Abelesz, who was just 14 years old when he was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Do one thing: Learn about Holocaust Memorial Day
Thursday 8 May is VE Day 80 (Victory in Europe Day). This marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe with the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies in May 1945.
The day is an opportunity to remember the 450,000 from the UK who lost their lives in the war (including 70,000 civilians) as well as the millions more across Europe and around the world.
The event will be marked by commemorative events across the UK. Scouts are invited to light beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm on Thursday 8 May.
If you’re planning to be part of the VE Day Commemoration, you can register your event nationally. You event will be added to the official calendar and a certificate will be issued.
The Royal British Legion is also organising events to mark this anniversary, involving veterans from the UK, Commonwealth and beyond.
Do one thing: Look out for the VE Day 80 – Scouts for Peace Occasional Badge that can be worn on uniform from May to October 2025. More details on this to follow in the membership email.
This year is also the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory Over Japan Day, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day) which takes place on 15 August. This is the day Imperial Japan surrendered bringing the Second World War to an end. Again, The Royal British Legion are planning events around this.
Do one thing: Discuss with your team whether you plan to hold or take part in a commemoration event.
For nearly 40 years, The Peace Light from Bethlehem has travelled throughout Europe and beyond bringing with it a message of peace. The light is lit from the ‘eternal flame’ in the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, before it is taken to Europe.
Since 1986, Scouts and Guides have played an important role passing it on from one place to another, and it has passed through over 30 countries. It’s taken to schools, hospitals, churches, prisons and in 2024 travelled to Gilwell Park, the home of Scouts. It’s also been presented to world leaders and been delivered to places of conflict.
While the light did not travel from Bethlehem in 2024-25, the 2023 light has been saved and may once again travel around the UK, potentially to coincide with other peace focused events such as VE Day. Thank you to the Scouts in the UK who support this so well.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
In December 2023, the International Peace Light arrived at Gilwell Park, the UK home of Scouts. This is a light lit in Bethlehem by a child and then carried across Europe by Scouts and Guides as a message of peace.
Setting the right tone
When discussing any of these anniversaries and events, it’s important as volunteers we remain neutral, balanced and impartial, understanding that there'll be many different perspectives and cultural sensitivities. To create a safe space, it’s important to put our own views aside so young people can share, listen and explore.
All discussions should be grounded in our values, particularly care and respect. Our advice is to keep the focus on commemoration rather than celebration, with the focus on the impact of war and conflict on people and discovering their individual stories.
Find out more
We've got guidance on Using Scout Values to discuss global issues and conflict, as well as Learning about and welcoming refugees in Scouts.
Always remember to live our Scout Values.