By Rubem Tadeu Perlingeiro, Chairperson of the Interamerican Scout Committee
As Chairperson of the Interamerican Scout Committee, I’ve witnessed moments that transform not only Organizations, but entire lives. One question stands out at every conference: “Is it really worth investing effort to attend in person?” In my experience, attending in person is not just worthwhile — it is essential for the progress of our Movement.
Scout conferences are not just corporate events—they are vital gatherings where the true value lies in personal exchanges. While keynote presentations and workshops are important, the most impactful conversations occur between sessions, in spontaneous encounters that drive real change.
A moment that made me proud was the approval of Resolution 11/2022 at the last Interamerican Scout Conference, uniting 36 NSOs in our shared dedication to the Ocean.
It was also gratifying to see many NSOs implement Resolution 11/2022 with various Ocean-related activities.
Three years later, we will be in Curaçao, an island that has the Ocean as a fundamental ecosystem, reinforcing the timeliness and importance of the Resolution approved in Paraguay.
I hope that, even after the next Conference, Resolution 11/2022 continues to have repercussions just like the waves that form far from the coast and only end on the beach.
In my experience, attending in person is not just worthwhile — it is essential for the progress of our Movement.
More than Information: Relationships that transform
Attending our conferences in person means taking home more than information. You build relationships, gain direct contacts, secure commitments, and experience the renewed energy that comes from engaging with others who share your passion for the Scout Movement.
NSOs have arrived with challenges and left behind partnerships or exchange programs that transformed their situations and positively impacted many young people.
Attending the Conference in person gives you:
- Direct access to regional expertise: Our countries face similar challenges, but solutions don’t always travel well online. At the Conference, you can connect directly with peers who have already overcome the issues that you’re tackling.
- Building strategic partnerships: Lasting partnerships are built on trust, which grows through meaningful conversations where you can share experiences and get to know the people behind the organisations.
- Influence in regional decision-making: Being in the room matters. You can shape the decisions that will guide the future of Scouting in our region – something that can’t be fully replicated virtually.
- Renewed inspiration for your team: Return home with real stories, genuine contacts, and a broader perspective of the Scout Movement – all of which will help energise and motivate your national team!
I understand budget constraints. Believe me, I’ve experienced them myself. But every time an NSO tells me they “can’t afford” to attend, I ask: “Can you afford to remain isolated from the opportunities emerging across the region?”
Every time an NSO tells me they “can’t afford” to attend, I ask: “Can you afford to remain isolated from the opportunities emerging across the region?”
While virtual connectivity has value, it cannot match the transformative impact of attending in person—of sharing lived experiences and building real relationships that drive the movement forward.
As someone who has dedicated much of their life to the Scout Movement, I extend this invitation not from institutional formality, but from personal conviction: your NSO deserves to be at the forefront in the future we are building together.
Interamerican Scout Conferences are essential for every organisation truly committed to its young people and to strengthening Scouting across the region. Your participation shapes our collective future.
See you at the next conference, where together we will shape the next chapter of the Interamerican Scout Movement.
And believe me, it’s a chapter you won’t want to miss.
