On 22 February, each year millions of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world celebrate World Thinking Day. It is a day of international friendship, unity, and reflection on the values of guiding and scouting. We chose the date because it commemorates the birthdays of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, and Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide. This makes the date highly symbolic, in the context of the global movement.
Every day, Scouts and Guides take a little time to think about their “sisters and brothers” in other countries and consider the meaning of guiding and its global impact. Every year, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) chooses a theme that considers pressing international issues, such as peace, equality, or environmental conservation. Activities involve cultural exchanges, awareness activities, and fundraising for the Thinking Day Fund, an organization that helps projects that help Guides and Scouts throughout the world. Another thing organizations, sometimes, organize are activities to learn the culture of other states and countries, to stimulate cross-cultural interaction and world-building and unity.
World Thinking Day is observed in schools, neighborhoods, and scout groups with gusto. And social media is filled with messages of support, snapshots of celebration, and accounts of guidance transforming the lives of young people. The day is a celebration of the possibility that young people can think about outside of the box and embrace diversity, supporters say. It's an important reminder that youth movements can instigate positive change in our society.
The value of World Thinking Day is in its capacity to bring together millions of youth from 150+ countries. It is friendship but also leadership and responsibility. The day is about global issues, so young minds see what is being faced by communities around the world and feel encouraged to do something about this. Expected to be celebrated with an emphasis on World Thinking Day’s history to reflect its modern significance, and also in 2026 celebrating its hundredth anniversary.
Not only is World Thinking Day a day to celebrate World Awareness, but it also fuels a generation of leaders who wish to unite the world. In doing so the day is reminding future leaders of the importance of examining their position in the world and the impact of the legacy that is left by the Baden-Powells, while sparking youth to develop critical views of society which will ultimately lead to leadership. It serves as a reminder that international solidarity and cooperation are foundational to building a better world.
