What is International in terms of CGI?

International refers to the International elements of CGI’s programme and offer. Girl guiding is a global sisterhood, with many diverse
associations across the world participating. The International elements of the programme are a key component in the development of leadership skills – venturing to new countries and environments provides excellent opportunities for our girls to grow and learn! International also provides many opportunities to make and rekindle lifelong friendships with girls and young women from across the world. And the best part – it’s incredibly fun!

Why International?   

Girl Guiding and Girl scouting organisations are some of the longest running non-formal education voluntary associations. Girl Guiding and scouting is often described as a “movement”, as in earlier years, it spread rapidly across the world. This was in part due to the critical need for what we call “youth work” in communities today! The early spread of this movement contributed to the formation of a world body called “WAGGGS”. WAGGGS is now considered one of the “Big Six” non-governmental organisations, with membership numbers over 11 million at the last count. There are numerous girl guide and girl scout groups that run across the world, all with their different traditions, uniforms and characteristics.

What is International Guiding?

International guiding is an umbrella term used for when a girl guide unit gets involved in guiding outside of their own country. A selection of activities included in international guiding are: 

• When a girl guide group travels abroad to a world guide or scout centre or to a Jamboree 

• Volunteering in a world guide or scout centre 

• Volunteering with WAGGGS 

• Representing CGI at WAGGGS events 

• Representing CGI at WAGGGS European/World conferences 

How is International Guiding managed?

In CGI, as we are members of WAGGGS, we have an International Commissioner who oversees all international activities within the organisation. Her job also includes maintaining external links with other girl guiding associations in and out of Ireland, maintaining relationships with WAGGGS and promoting WAGGGS events and programmes where possible. There is also an international team that is consisting looking for passionate volunteers!

Examples of events CGI members participate in:

• WAGGGS leadership trainings i.e. Helen Storrow Seminar, Juliette Lowe Seminar
• Europe Region Events: Guide and Scout Academy, Overtures Diversity Network (EDI)
• Jamborees: Roverway
• Conferences: WAGGGS Regional Conferences, WAGGGS World Conferences
• World Thinking Day

 

What is World Thinking Day?

Our greatest opportunity to promote the International aspect of Guiding comes on World Thinking Day, 22nd February. This date was chosen as it is the birthday of the founder of Scouts and Guides, Lord Robert Baden-Powell and, also, that of his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell.

On World Thinking day, we reflect and reach out to our guiding friends around the world, and celebrate girl guiding as a global movement. This can involve exchanging postcards with groups across the world, digital meetups, learning about girl guides in different countries i.e. what uniforms do they wear, what fun games they play, what main activities do they focus on in their country. It teaches our girls the importance of maintaining connections so that we can be friends for life!

WAGGGS global programmes

WAGGGS frequently have global programmes, that are created through the efforts of experienced guiding and scouting volunteers. These programmes are topical and are chosen based on the needs and wants of our youth members. Every guider has the opportunity if they want to, to get involved and volunteer with WAGGGS as an external volunteer! Keep an eye out in the Guider’s link and emails for available opportunities! Some of the most exciting global programmes WAGGGS are promoting are:

• Surf smart
• Free Being me
• Global advocacy
• WAGGGS Leadership Model

Volunteering at a World Centre

Are you a guider who would like to gain confidence through an international experience?

Why not volunteer at one of the WAGGGS World centres?

The World centres have many different roles available – for as short as three months to 1 year. There are also programmes, such as Ready, steady, go, which is one week and involves preparing Our Chalet, Switzerland for the upcoming summer season. To volunteer, registered members of CGI can apply directly to the World centres. However, please be aware that the International commissioner of CGI will need to give her approval, so it is always a good idea to discuss it with your international commissioner first! For Guider experiences, key an eye out for articles in the Guider’s link. For further specific information, you can visit the WAGGGS World centre website here:

https://worldcentres.wagggs.org/

Contact Us

For any international queries, please contact [email protected] directly.

For expressing interest as a member of CGI, apply through the International opportunities interest form (see QR code)