18th European Guide an Scout Conference

What happens when over 500 Scouts and Guides descend on Vienna for the 18th European Guide and Scout Conference? Governance and a good bit of girl-powered collaboration. Representing us in the Austrian capital were Julie, Gillian, Barbara, and Rachel—our dream team, who packed their bags, badges, and best diplomacy skills to take part in one of the most unique conferences yet.

Before setting foot on Viennese soil, the prep work was already in full swing. Countless meetings led up to the big event—including three coordination calls with our friends from Irish Girl Guides. Let’s just say Zoom got a workout. (Special shoutout to Gillian, who logged over 20 hours of online sessions before the conference even began. That’s dedication—or a very long Netflix series.) The European Guide and Scout conference occurs every three years, the last one was held in Rotterdam, which was the first one after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s conference had a few twists. Firstly, all the WAGGGS governance elements were held online, making this a hybrid conference. Secondly, due to governance changes at the world level of WAGGGS, the usual joint conference structure with WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement) became a bit more complicated. As a result, the Guide conference was cut down by a day, and no bids for the next in-person WAGGGS Europe conference could be accepted—pending a Regional conference review.

Despite this, spirits were high from the moment we arrived in Vienna. Day one kicked off with a quick orientation and, more importantly, International Night. Picture this: tables bursting with delicious treats and drinks from every corner of the continent, set in a courtyard beside a historic church—30 minutes from the hotel, but well worth the trek. It was an eclectic mix of mingling, memory-making, and Tayto crisps. Shoutout to the countries (Poland and Finland) who looked fabulous and wore traditional dress in the baking Viennese heat!

Day two meant business! The morning opened with a joint reflection and a crash course in Austrian wisdom, including the versatile phrase “Oh Re!” (Trust us, it works in nearly every situation). Then we split into our WAGGGS and WOSM plenaries to dive into the governance agenda.

A hot topic this year? The Triennial Action Plan. Thanks to all those earlier Zoom marathons, much of the groundwork was already laid, resulting in a plan that reflects broad consultation and ambition. Another major topic was the review of the European Voluntary Contribution (EVC)—now renamed the European Contribution (EC). Led by Sally Elkes and Evelyn Dick, the review was informed by several rounds of consultation, including a pivotal session at the IC Forum in Malta last December. The final vote saw the status quo method retained, aligning with the global payment structure.

In what is probably a first in the history of financial reporting, the Treasurer—Evelyn Dick—received a standing ovation after presenting the European Contribution. Yes, you read that right. A standing ovation. It was a testament to Evelyn’s clarity, commitment and exceptional facilitation skills—traits that earned her a very well-deserved award for outstanding service. The Europe Region is known for being intense, but that intensity comes from a fierce passion for doing right for our young Guides and Scouts. Evelyn exemplified that spirit, and it was a joy to see it recognised so openly.

Another pivotal moment? The election of the new Regional Committee. Eight incredible candidates stood for six available seats, representing a diverse, highly skilled pool of experienced Leaders. Choosing between them wasn’t easy—they were all outstanding. Our delegation did its homework, submitting questions ahead of time and attending an intense “Meet the Candidates” session where each candidate faced a challenging 90-minute Q&A. We’d call it a grilling, but even schnitzel doesn’t get that much heat. Congratulations to the newly elected committee—and heartfelt commiserations to the two excellent candidates who weren’t elected. It truly was a difficult choice, a testament to the talent on offer.

As the conference drew to a close, the location for Roverway 2028 was revealed as Switzerland! We also took a moment to thank the outgoing committee members from the previous triennium, who officially returned to their Member Organisations. Their contributions were recognised in a heartfelt awards ceremony that brought a genuine sense of community and Regional pride. One of the biggest ovations went to Paula Neher, honoured for over six years of tireless dedication to WAGGGS. Jo, the incredible leader of the Translation Team, and Charlotte, our ever-reliable Conference Chair, were also celebrated for their outstanding service. It was a powerful reminder of the spirit that unites us—volunteers, friends, and Leaders working toward a common goal and shared vision.

Of course, it wasn’t all governance and voting. Throughout the week, we rekindled old friendships and made plenty of new ones. Austria Night was a particular highlight. Split into small groups of 10, we explored the magic of Vienna, learning how to waltz, taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly, flavours. Traditional cakes, donuts, and the now-legendary chicken schnitzel burgers were devoured with enthusiasm and maybe a little competitive speed.

All in all, the 18th European Guide and Scout Conference was more than just a meeting of minds—it was a celebration of community, leadership, and everything we love about Guiding. We returned home with fresh ideas, full hearts, and a newfound appreciation for Austrian pastries. It was a fabulous conference and an excellent memory that will be cherished by us all.