70 years of UIGSE: Back to Our Roots, Looking to the Future!

On 3-4 October 2026, Cologne hosted the UIGSE Federal Council, bringing together presidents, general commissioners, religious advisers, secretaries, members of the Federal Bureau and the federal team.

Representatives from 21 associations gathered to celebrate a special milestone in the history of our Union, with participants from Albania, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cologne holds a particular significance: it was here, on 1 November 1956, in Machabäerstraße, that the UIGSE’s story began. We were happy to welcome former members to this meeting: Jeanne Taillefer, Secretary of the Union 1979-2014, Martin Hafner, Federal Commissioner 2012-2018, and Father Pierre François, Federal Religious Adviser 2019-2021. We looked back with gratitude and humility on these 70 years of scouting, service and fraternity, remembering that each generation is called to give its best before passing the torch to the next.

The weekend featured fruitful discussions on the anniversary year, the Federal Bureau’s moral and financial reports, Eurojam, Eurocamps, Euroroads, international training camps and the future projects of our federation. We were also delighted to welcome Bulgaria as an observer association within the UIGSE.

On this occasion, we unveiled the special “70 Years of UIGSE” badge, inviting associations to organise encounters with Scout brothers and sisters from other countries, especially neighbouring ones.

Our challenge: 70 international encounters by the end of summer 2027!

Back to our roots, looking to the future: who is ready to take up the challenge?

The 12 Stars Road: A Journey to the Heart of Our Scouting Identity

From 3 to 8 August, twenty participants from thirteen associations across Europe and the Americas gathered in Switzerland for the seventh edition of the 12 Stars Road, the UIGSE-FSE’s international training camp dedicated to rediscovering our shared identity, founding charism and scouting heritage.

A road through the heart of Switzerland

Set against the magnificent landscapes of the Gruyère region, this year’s 12 Stars Road brought together young leaders from Albania, Bulgaria, Belgium, Brazil, Belarus, Canada, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland and Romania, alongside the leadership team and the dedicated Swiss logistics team.

Over the course of the week, participants travelled through mountains, lakes and valleys, discovering some of the region’s most remarkable places. Their journey included a visit to the Cailler chocolate factory, the chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches and, as a fitting conclusion, the historic Gruyère Castle.

Yet the road was about much more than discovering Switzerland. It was an opportunity to experience international brotherhood, deepen friendships across national boundaries and reflect together on what unites the associations, studying the fundamental texts of the UIGSE-FSE.

Formation, faith and fraternity

Each day combined formation sessions with the simple, essential elements of scouting life: walking together, sharing (delicious!) meals, gathering around the campfire and singing as a choir. Daily Mass also offered participants the opportunity to place their journey at the heart of their Christian faith.

Celebrating 70 years of European Scouting

One of the highlights of the week was a festive campfire marking the beginning of the UIGSE-FSE’s 70th anniversary year. Founded in 1956, the Union is celebrating seven decades of European scouting, united by a shared educational vision and a common Christian heritage.

The anniversary celebrations will culminate in Eurojam in the summer of 2027, bringing together scouts from across the Union for a major international gathering.

A heartfelt thank you

The success of this edition would not have been possible without the extraordinary welcome and commitment of the Swiss association, whose hospitality and logistical support made the journey possible.

As participants return home to their respective associations, they take with them not only memories of beautiful landscapes and shared adventures, but also a renewed sense of belonging to the UIGSE-FSE and a deeper understanding of the charism they are called to pass on.

And perhaps, as many would agree, one question remains at the end of such a road: Who wouldn’t have wanted to stay a little longer?

Article based on the post of Nathalie Flama, Federal Commissioner

The annual Council of General Commissioners and Presidents took place in Krakow, Poland,  on 18-19 April 2026, gathering members of the Federal Council from 18 national associations across Europe and beyond. Representatives from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States came together for a weekend marked by fraternity, reflection, and shared commitment to the future of the Scouts of Europe.

Throughout the meetings, participants discussed and made important decisions concerning several key topics for the movement, including the approval of a frame agreement for the Beavers section, international training camps, preparations for Eurojam 2027, the role of the president and the leaders’ Erasmus  within the federation. The gathering also highlighted two major anniversaries currently being celebrated within the movement: the 60th anniversary of the Baussant and the 70th anniversary of UIGSE, founded in 1956.

The Polish association, which itself celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, warmly welcomed delegates and organised the weekend with remarkable hospitality. The celebrations even included a birthday cake shared among participants, adding a joyful touch to the occasion.

The event was held at the John Paul II Shrine in Krakow, a site of deep spiritual significance. Participants had the opportunity to attend the Eucharist celebrated at an altar containing a relic of the blood of Saint John Paul II. One of the most memorable moments of the weekend was the evening Via Lucis pilgrimage to the Shrine of Divine Mercy. There, participants were able to pray and entrust their intentions to Saint Faustina while gathered before her coffin.

Beyond the formal discussions, the weekend was characterized by lively exchanges, friendship, and a spirit of joy and service. Participants particularly appreciated the presence of Polish guides and scouts, as well as the many national religious advisers who contributed to the richness of the gathering.

The Federal Weekend concluded with gratitude toward all participants for their enthusiasm, dedication, and continued service to the 75,000 Scouts of Europe across the federation.

– Nathalie Flama, Federal Commissioner

The second preparation weekend of the Eurojam 2027 took pace in Bergamo, on 21-22 March 2026, on the native place of Pope John XXIII. 43 participants from 10 countries were there: Switzerland, France, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic and Albania.

The logistical and pedagogical teams work hard durinf this weekend to prepare the great event for scouts and guides planned in the mountains in the North of Italy in August 2027, on the theme of Verso l’alto, under the patronage of Pier Giorgio Frassati. The scout spirit and atmosphere are really good and full of promise for this great adventure!

We also had the opportunity to visit the native place of Pope John XXIII.

Thank you to the Italian team for this wonderful weekend!

The Council of General Commissioners and Presidents gathered this year 50 participants from 18 different associations in Knockadoon, a beautiful place near Cork, Ireland! The location was wonderful, just by the seaside, surrounded by the Irish green countryside.

After an early Mass on Saturday morning, we had the joy to have the recognition of two new and young General Commissioners: Léa Rougé in the Netherlands and Hilde-Joanna Iana-Ebenhöh in Romania.

Then started the work session on the question of the welcome of non-European associations in the UIGSE. It was introduced by a presentation by John Reid and Paul Ritchi on the fantastic work they do with the FNE (Federation of North American Explorers) on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. This opened intense reflections by General Commissioners and Presidents on the question of the UIGSE’s identity and founding charisma, and what place could have these non-European associations in the Union.

The work session then continued with a session on the Eurocamps, presented by Quentin Hallay. The Union really intends to encourage these international camps, that gathered up to 5 units from different countries, so that guides and scouts can meet their European brothers and sisters and camp together.

After some free time (to discover the landscapes around us, or chat with others…), we had a great Irish dinner prepared by just one cook, and an authentic scout campfire with wonderful plays, some Irish dances, and even a piece of music played on the harp! It ended with a prayer around the fire. Thank you to the guides, scouts, rovers and rangers for having given us such a good evening!

On Sunday morning, the work session went on, we took conclusions of the discussions of the weekend, and ended with miscellaneous questions. We then had Mass, the closing ceremony and the Farewell!

Thank you to the Irish team for the such a great (and sunny!) weekend in your beautiful country! We are looking forward to coming back!

Ad Mariam…Europa!

56 experts in scout branches and training from 12 different countries (Albania, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine) met in Wroclaw, Poland, on 16-18 February 2024!

During two days, they talked and reflected about Europe and Patriotism. The weekend started with an interesting conference from Father Thomas Michelet on Europe’s spiritual vocation, that was followed by a workshop on how we implement the European dimension in the scout method. The reflection went on in the afternoon with a lecture given by a very special guest, the archduke Imre von Habsburg-Lothringen, who talked about “Europe and Patriotism: tensions and complementarities”, highlighting the fact that we have to pray for Europe, discover its cultural heritage, live the fraternity and fight for the soul of Europe, by being “creative minorities capable of changing the course of history”. The participants had then to actively participate in workshops, about Patriotism, Patriotism vc Civism (do we need national identity in scouting education?) and Patriotism in scouting practive, a toolbox to have some practical tools to put into practice once back home! That was a weekend full of intense and fruitful reflection.

The Polish logistics team did a wonderful job, welcoming us warmly in a beautiful convent near the mountains. They cooked delicious Polish food for us and organised with the Polish region an original visit of a castle on Saturday night, with some monsters and witches…!

The weekend ended with a closing gathering, where an Ukrainian guide got her green scarf and an Albanian guide got her green flow. Congratulations to them!

Thank you to the Polish team for this wonderful weekend! And thank you to all participants for coming to Poland!

 Ad Mariam… Europa !

Approaching the end of my seminary training, and the day of receiving the Sacrament of Order, at the degree of the diaconate, it is necessary to look back on everything I have experienced over these years and point out what helped me highlight what was good for me, who encouraged and supported me on my journey through the seminary.

Among all the things, I must mention AGEBR’s Catholic Scouting, which entered my walk somewhat without me wanting to, but now, even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t be able to take it away, because it was something I incarnated.

Woww… how I wish I had known about Catholic scouting sooner! I would have prevented so many things from happening in my life, on my journey…

The idea of having a rule of life, like the Scout Laws, having a path to follow, with pedagogical branches (Yellow, Green, and Red) is a true school, and I say a “factory” of saints.

As Chief Marcos, General Commissioner Scout of AGEBR, said at the 1st degree Training Weekend, when I participated in 2023: “There’s no way to go wrong, if everything is done as the method and pedagogy are proposed, and if made with love!“

This method enchanted me, as I saw with my own eyes the growth of some young people, it fueled my hope and opened my horizons to a youth that wants to grow and that is lacking references. And they found this reference in Catholic scouting and the AGEBR scout leaders.

Friendship is born within patrols and fraternity involves such a way that there is not only friendship but a brotherhood. This truly enchanted me and showed me a reality different from anything I knew within the Church and on my journey.

Everything I was able to learn here was not new to me, but it was presented to me in such a light way, so “interesting”, that it attracted me, and gave me a different perspective.

Trying to live the Law and the Promise was a new way of seeking to live the commandments, having a chief was a challenge to learn to fight against my desires, and begin a path of obedience, listening to young people and their desires, prepares me for the ministry in such a strong way, that I don’t even know how to describe what I feel in my heart, but I see God’s action, forming a priestly heart.

In short, Catholic Scouting, in its method, makes life simpler, as it incarnates and begins to be part of ourselves. I wasn’t a scout since I was little, and I had limitations in my experience, due to my state of life, but what I lived was an experience in such a sublime way, that it entered and is now part of me.

On my Honor and with God’s Grace, I promise to do my best, be the best I can dedicate myself to the ministry conferred on me sacramentally, take care of the flock entrusted to me, and live God’s will in my life!

Pray for me, my brothers, this poor servant, that he may be faithful to the ministry and the Promise he made!

Semper Parati!

Deacon Samuel

P.S.:  Deacon Samuel joined the AGEBR scout movement while he was still a seminarian. He completed all chief training and served as troop chief in the Green Branch in the northern region of Brazil.

Still as a deacon, he will work with the group as assistant troop chief in the parish where he pastors.