Diversity and Inclusion in the Interamerican Scout Region Interamerican Symposium Inclusion and Diversity in the Scout Movement n September 18 to 20, 2015 the Interamerican Sym- posium of Inclusion and Diversity in the Scout Move- Oment was held in the City of Knowledge, Panama. This is the first time the Interamerican Scout Region organized an event to discuss these issues of vital importance. The symposium was attended by 29 persons - 22 representati- ves from 17 National Scout Organizations (NSOs), 1 member of the Interamerican Scout Committee, 1 representative of the European Scout Region and 5 staff members of the Regional Office. Likewise, 13 experts from 10 organizations also atten- ded, working as Symposium panelists. Participating NSO's were: Scouts de Argentina AC, Scouting Antiano, Scouting Aruba, The Scout Association of Belize, União dos Escoteiros do Brasil, Association des Scouts du Canada, Asociación Scouts de Colombia, Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica, Asociación de Scouts del Ecuador, Aso- ciación de Scouts de El Salvador, The Scout Association of Gre- nada, Asociación de Scouts de Honduras, Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua, Asociación Nacional de Scouts de Panamá, Aso- ciación de Scouts del Perú, Asociación de Scouts Dominicanos Inc. y Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela. The developed concepts in this document are the result of the work done by the participants of the Symposium, from the topics addressed by experts from different areas. The Interamerican Scout Region wants make clear its appre- ciation to the Messengers of Peace Fund for their valuable support in funding received for this symposium. 2 Diversity and Inclusion, strategic priority of the Triennial Plan 2014-2017 of the World Organization of the Scout Movement ur mission. The Mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system Obased on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. Our Vision. By 2023 Scouting will be the world's leading edu- cational youth movement, enabling 100 million young people to be active citizens creating positive change in their communi- ties and in the world based on shared values. “Diversity & Inclusion” strategic priority. Scouting should reflect the societies in which it exists and actively work to wel- come all individuals without distinction. This diversity should not only be reflected in the membership, but also the methods and programmes used within the Movement. 3 Concepts related to the theme of Diversity and Inclusion iversity refers to the variety and difference of the people among themselves. This includes any dimen- Dsion that can be used to differentiate between groups or between individuals. To the extent that our societies are increasingly diverse, it is important that the Scout Movement reflects this situation and strives to represent the society in which it is immersed. It is considered that the differences between people are an opportunity for the enrichment of society. This collective bene- fit is built through the active participation of all, in all spheres of development of social and cultural processes of each community. It is necessary that the NSOs recognize the importance of the issue, i.e., accept differences between people as something positive. Therefore, diversity must not be perceived as a problem but as a challenge and an opportunity to enrich the forms of teaching and learning. Encouraging young people to share with people who go through various social, historical and cultural situations, we contribute to the formation of citizens who are committed to create a better world. Our societies tend to generate resistance to what is “different", either by fear, missinformation or prejudice. Commonly, this kind of thinking is installed because, in part, it has been histo- rically inherited1. Diversity is an indisputable reality. In a context where we recognize the value of diversity, the process of inclusion is vital to the development and enrichment of practices equitable and accessible to all. 1. Revista latinoamericana de inclusión educativa. 4 http://www.rinace.net/rlei/numeros/vol4-num2/art5.pdf We understand the inclusion in the Scout Movement2 as the process of identifying and responding to the different needs, characteristics of the members of the Organization through greater participation in Youth Programme and adults' manage- ment systems. This vision involves changes and modifications in contents, approaches, structures and strategies, with a com- mon vision, which includes all children and young people accor- ding to their age range, as well as all adults involved. The inclusion is necessary if we want: A world more equitable and more respectful to the differences. Reach to all persons, regardless of their characteristics, untagged or exclude. Provide equitable access, making permanent adjustments to allow for the full participation, valuing the contribution of each person to society. Inclusion see people as subjects of rights; that is, guarantee joyful enjoyment of themselves. It is important to understand that, as individuals, we can be similar but not identical, so our needs must be met and be considered from a plural and diverse perspective. Normal or abnormal does not exist, so there is diversity.3 2. Interamerican Symposium Inclusion and Diversity in the Scout Movement. Panama. August, 2015. 5 3. Rita Banús (Aids for AIDS-Panamá). Interamerican Symposium Inclusion and Diversity in the Scout Movement. Panama. August, 2015. Inclusion requires to be seen as the equality of opportuni- ties, i.e. the commitment of society as a whole to make the necessary reforms to those persons with disabilities, in situa- tions of vulnerability and minority groups, to fully enjoy their rights. Each person has a different route in relation to the develop- ment of his/her learning and he/she integrates to the educa- tional proposal that Scouting offers from his/her needs, inte- rests and possibilities. At the same time, the Scout Movement must offer the necessary conditions to assist the uniqueness of every situation in life, i.e., to ensure equality of opportunities. Inclusion is a process, which is achieved through the elabora- tions of agreements, dialogue and the understanding that it doesn't have the answers in advance, but they are constructed in the course of the same proposals and inclusive practices. They are not in a manual, you live and experience to reach it, it is necessary to have an inclusive look and leave aside prejudice, understanding the social and cultural context (also considering the technology) that develops community which it serves. Every time we make an adjustment to assist in the process of inclusion of people with disabilities or who are in a context of social vulnerability, the entire society is benefited, contributing concretely to building a world more tolerant and respectful. 6 Definitions spanning the theme of Inclusion and diversity isability. Any deficiencies or difficulties preventing a person to develop daily and routine activities as other Dindividuals are not complicated to them. They can be disorders in physical, sensory or mental capabilities. Taking as a reference the WOSM document Guidelines on Scouting for people with disabilities, for the Scout Movement disability is a condition that could make it difficult for a young person or adult to access or participate in its activities. Stigma. It is a condition, attribute, feature or real or imaginary behavior that causes discredit the honor, reputation or fame of a person. Stigma creates the idea that the person who owns it is inferior to others. The causes of stigma are, among others, lack of information, false beliefs, fears and moral judgments. Discrimination. Unfavorable treatment is to exclude or mar- ginalize certain person or group of people based on a real or imaginary stigma. Discrimination may be by action or omis- sion, subtly or overtly hostile, direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional. Effects generated by discrimination include: Be expelled or abandon family, housing, school, work or organization. Depression, suicide, alcoholism, use of toxic substances. Vulnerability. Vulnerability is a relative and dynamic concept that refers to the diminished ability of a person or group of peo- ple to cope with and recover from situations that affect them. The vulnerability is not confined solely to poverty, but also the social, gender relations and power, the ambient environment, among others. Vulnerability is a relative situation; i.e., all people are vulnerable, but each, depending on their personal circumstances and socio-economic conditions, has its own 7 level of vulnerability, as well as its own kind of vulnerability. In trying to insert ourselves in vulnerable communities, the accesability of all young people should be guaranteed. Welfarism. It is a practice to offer aid that sees people as passive objects of action of others. Within the Scout Movement the prospects for welfarism persists that keep us in a frame of contradiction, since you cannot achieve full inclusion persist from a welfare perspective. Equalization of opportunities. It is understood as the pro- cess through which all the services offered by the society are made accessible to all people. In the Scout Movement, this can be interpreted as the process that an NSO required to follow to make its education proposal accessible to all children, young people and adults. Assertive language. It is the language that includes terms, concepts and purposeful and constructive attitudes that pro- mote the positive value of diversity and inclusion. Public policies. They are the answer offered by the State to the demands of society. Beyond the rules (laws, regulations, etc.) involves everything the State does. They are the result of the political participation of various social actors (NGOs, politi- cal parties, churches, etc.). The public policies vary according to historical, social and economic context. Public policy involve action plans, which are State intervention in certain subject.