Postcards for Peace
I was thinking about division in the world; I wanted a project that promoted unity. Simultaneously, I heard about Scouts meeting in conflict areas. We decided to try to exchange postcards, to confirm the shared goals of Scouting... so when the conflict ended, they'd know there were others who wanted to sit around a campfire with them. Communicating fights division; knowing each other better promotes peace. By reaching out broadly, we have sent more than 200 postcards to Scouts in 11 countries.
I sent out requests to exchange to all the International Representatives on the WOSM website. Our patrol created a message to Scouts abroad; we used AI to translate (and check the translation), so it could be printed out multiple languages on postcards of our own creation. We made cards for individuals, and packaged them together (along with an introduction & the same message in English, to prevent miscommunications!) So far, each package has ben received, and many have been answered in kind!
We have had successful exchanges with 22 different groups & individuals. We've interacted with Scouts in Ukraine, Croatia, Canada, France, England, Scotland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Uganda, and Sierra Leone. Our group has learned a lot about our shared experiences, and or shared world. We've been invited to join other Scouts for meetings in other countries-- we've done so virtually with Hungarian Scouts, and plan to virtually meet with Czech and French Scouts soon... and our Denleader has now visited two packs in Canada in person!
Scouts (and children) are very similar the world over. The things that are the most divisive are matters of opinion, and have little to do with the basics of existence. Scouting is a way to mutually experience the pleasures of those basics-- enjoying nature, making food and shelter together, and exchanging stories-- that can be experienced separately from the opinions that push us apart. It is harder to have conflict with someone you know, and share stories with.
