by Muhammed Ghazali Esau

I was selected for the “Dialogue for Peace” workshop amongst 30 other members from the scouting organization in South Africa. Looking at scouting and creating a better world. Dialogue and communication are the fundamentals, as such various topics were discussed and expounded upon in the dialogue sessions. The peer group sessions were a maximum of 4-7 members and facilitated by scouters from various other countries.

These in-depth sessions were looking at topics such as “Scouting perceived as for the ‘white middle class’, should we just remove “God” in the scout promise” and many other topics which we looked holistically and with an open-mindset. Real life problems were brought forward, experiences shared, and possible solutions were all shared during these sessions. I found the peer group model and sessions useful, helpful and also engaging as there are scouts from different regions, backgrounds and have various in the scouting fraternity and outside of it. One can maybe look towards career opportunities and integrating with other scout groups to meet up in the near future. Networking, in today’s day and age is a skill on its own and by diversification and meeting people on a platform which seeks to create dialogue in scouting is but only a bonus.

The overall training was well put together, well presented and very interactive amongst all participants. I unfortunately, had technical issues and network issues at times and could not engage to what was expected. Alternative, methods or criteria for the dialogue for Peace should be set for the next group. Such as a laptop with certain capabilities and functions would be expected of one who would like to participate in the next workshop. As it being the first online Dialogue for Peace in South Africa it was well-orchestrated and hosted on Microsoft Teams and other platforms.

My goal is to teach young children at the school I tutor at. To create independent and cognitive thinking. To create a space in my scouting group where dialogue can be freely expressed in a safe zone. It will have a great impact and recommend youth to join as it is beneficial.

Keep up the amazing work that you are doing as you are truly inspirational to others and to the youth.