Renewal Of The PPM–WOSM Cooperation Agreement Elevates The Standing Of The World Scout Movement

By Mohamad Letfee Ahmad

Members of the Scouts Association of Malaysia (Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia – PPM), as well as the wider Malaysian public, should regard the renewal of the Host Country Agreement (HCA) between the Government of Malaysia and the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) as an important development in the national agenda of shaping future generations.

The agreement, signed by the Minister of Education, Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, and WOSM Secretary General, David Berg, on 22 October, represents recognition of Malaysia’s role in supporting the development of the international Scout Movement.

The signing ceremony demonstrates the continuity of the cooperation between Malaysia and World Scouting.

Since the signing of the first agreement in 2014, Kuala Lumpur has served as the administrative hub of the World Scouting global headquarters after London, Ottawa and Geneva. 

The office serves more than 60 million Scouts across all 176 National Scout Organisations.

These efforts have been carried out through the provision of funding, the strengthening of organisational capacity, and the hosting of major regional and international events.

The renewal of the HCA reflects WOSM’s trust and confidence in Malaysia as a country with the capacity to serve as a strategic partner in the development of global Scouting.

Relations between a country and an international organisation are not built solely through diplomatic meetings or agreement-signing ceremonies.

Rather, such relationships require continuous commitment, stable cooperation, support facilities and a willingness to share responsibilities in achieving common goals.

In this context, Malaysia’s decision to renew the HCA demonstrates the country’s continued openness to international cooperation founded on youth development, non-formal education and the creation of a more responsible society.

The significance of this agreement renewal should be viewed from the perspectives of educational diplomacy and international relations.

WOSM is an organisation that brings together Scout Movements from various countries with the aim of developing young people through Scouting activities.

Cooperation with an organisation of this nature provides Malaysia with opportunities to strengthen international networks, exchange expertise and gain exposure to best practices in youth development.

Indirectly, Malaysia has the opportunity to enhance its influence and contribution to discussions on Scouting both regionally and globally.

This is important because a country’s strength today is measured not only by its economic and technological progress, but also by its ability to build cooperative networks and contribute to the development of the international community.

The renewal of the HCA should also serve as a catalyst for strengthening PPM as an organisation responsible for developing young people through Scouting.

Scouting is not merely an extracurricular activity involving camping, marching, knots and lashings, first aid or outdoor recreational activities.

In reality, Scouting is a form of non-formal education that emphasises character development, leadership, discipline, self-reliance, teamwork, community service, identity and
responsibility towards the environment.

These values are essential in facing the increasingly complex challenges of the modern world.

At a time when society is confronted with various challenges, including the erosion of social values, technology addiction, mental health issues, declining social interaction and changes in the employment landscape, Scouting is becoming increasingly relevant.

Through practical, hands-on learning approaches, young people not only acquire knowledge but also gain opportunities to practise positive values in real-life situations.

Therefore, Malaysia’s relationship with WOSM must be translated into development programmes that provide direct benefits to Scouts, Scout leaders, teachers and local communities.

In this regard, the role of the Ministry of Education Malaysia in the renewal of this agreement is particularly significant.

The presence and involvement of the Minister of Education demonstrate that the Scout Movement is closely linked to the country’s education agenda.

Schools are among the most important institutions in developing the Scout Movement, as teachers play a vital role as mentors, leaders and facilitators in nurturing pupils’ potential.

Nevertheless, efforts to strengthen the Scout Movement should not be limited merely to pupils’ participation in extracurricular activities.

Instead, a more strategic approach is needed to enhance leaders’ competencies, strengthen training, expand participation opportunities and ensure that Scouting programmes genuinely contribute to the development of students’ character.

In this regard, the 2026 Teachers’ Day slogan, “Outstanding Teachers: The Heartbeat of the Nation” (Guru Bitara Nadi Negara), carries profound significance.

Teachers are at the heart of effective education and the development of the Scout Movement in schools.

Beyond organising weekly activities or preparing pupils for competitions, teacher Scout leaders are also responsible for shaping character, fostering a spirit of volunteerism and guiding pupils to become individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

Therefore, recognition of Malaysia’s role in international cooperation must be accompanied by due attention to the welfare, training, recognition and professional development of teacher Scout leaders.

The renewal of the HCA also creates wider opportunities for Malaysian Scouts to participate in international Scouting programmes and networks.

Participation in conferences, seminars, leadership training, international camps and youth exchange programmes can broaden the perspectives of young people.

They will have opportunities to learn about other cultures, explore different leadership approaches and build friendships across national borders.

Such experiences are invaluable in nurturing a generation with a global outlook while remaining firmly grounded in its national identity, culture and values.

Nevertheless, the more important questions are: To what extent will this renewal generate tangible benefits for the country’s Scout Movement? What follow-up programmes will be implemented? How can international cooperation opportunities be extended to Scouts at all levels, including those in rural and remote communities? What mechanisms will be established to ensure that WOSM’s shared expertise can be effectively utilised by local Scout leaders?

These questions are important because the success of any  agreement must be measured by its achievements and implementation outcomes, rather than by diplomatic recognition alone.

Stakeholders need to develop a clear action plan, establish measurable targets and introduce effective monitoring mechanisms.

PPM should also seize this opportunity to strengthen its organisational governance, improve the quality of leadership training and ensure that its programmes are aligned with the needs of today’s younger generation.

In addition, developments in digital technology, artificial intelligence, climate change and global security challenges should be given due consideration in future cooperation agendas.

The Scout Movement must continue to evolve so that it is not perceived as an organisation that relies solely on traditional approaches.

Instead, Scouting should become a dynamic, inclusive and relevant educational platform that responds to contemporary developments.

Cooperation with WOSM can be leveraged to introduce new approaches to Scouting education, including digital leadership, media literacy, environmental sustainability, social innovation and the development of 21st-century skills.

In conclusion, the renewal of the HCA between the Government of Malaysia and WOSM is a positive development of strategic importance to both the country and the Scout Movement.

The agreement not only strengthens international relations but also creates opportunities for Malaysia to play a greater role in the development of global Scouting, more so with the role of the Malaysian Scout Chief, Datuk Wira Professor Dr. Mohd Zin Bidin as the Asia-Pacific Scout Committee Chair.

However, the true value of this renewal will only become evident when the commitments made are translated into concrete actions, programmes and achievements that benefit young people.

Malaysia must regard this opportunity as a responsibility to strengthen the Scout Movement, empower teacher Scout leaders, enhance the quality of non-formal education and nurture a generation that is disciplined, principled, resilient and strongly committed to volunteerism.

Indeed, the future of the Scout Movement depends on our ability to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn, lead and serve the community.

The renewal of this agreement should mark the beginning of a new and more progressive chapter in the development of Scouting in Malaysia.

The writer is the PPM’s Corporate Communications and Strategic Relations Commisioner