Once again, it was not possible to organise a face-to-face meeting because of the Covid 19… but this did not prevent the Council of General Commissioners 2021 from taking place on Saturday 13 March, online!
More than 30 General Commissioners and National Religious Councillors from 19 different countries met, together with Bruno Borde, Federal Commissioner, Milisenta Miseviciute, Deputy Federal Commissioner, Father Pierre François, Federal Religious Councillor and the Federal Commissioner’s assistants.
The 4-hour meeting started with a virtual trip to Lithuania, where the meeting should have taken place, and a presentation of the Lithuanian association with beautiful photos and videos with Scout music.
Then the participants exchanged and discussed various topics, past and future activities, planning for next year’s activities and other important issues.
The DUO countries also informed each other about what they have been able to do or plan to do together this year (Covid permitting!). The idea of these duos is to allow each member country to build a privileged link with another country for a year to discover it, to organise all sorts of common activities, to share good practices…
Then, between various topics of discussion, the floor was given to Father Pierre François for a spiritual inspiration. He gave us a beautiful message of Hope, Joy and Patience in this particular period of Lent. He reminded us of Article 8 of the Scout Law which states that the Scout/Guide “smiles and sings even in difficulties”, and this with the grace of God. He also invited us to be realists rather than idealists, to accept the reality of the situation and to adapt to it with joy.
The meeting would not have been the same without the pantomimes, the personal cups of the participants, and the videos and songs that started and ended the breaks, such as “Humblement, dans le silence de mon coeur“, which was sung by Scouts and Guides from different countries during the Covid crisis.
In conclusion, Bruno thanked all participants for their presence and service to the Union.
Thank you all!
Text and pictures: Eléonore Claret
