Together for Messengers of Peace
Representatives of the World Scout Foundation and World Scouting convened in Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 14–15 September, to celebrate a new chapter in the transformative Messengers of Peace initiative. Building on the renewed agreement signed in April 2025 and more than 15 years of collaboration, over several high-level events and meetings, we have reaffirmed our shared commitment to empowering young people in Saudi Arabia and worldwide to respond to today’s global realities and issues impacting their communities.
Sixty Scouts from around the world and Saudi Arabia also came together in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, participating in three days of training and workshops centred on youth leadership, peace education, and innovation. The Scouts were joined by Messengers of Peace awardees as well as Members of the Board of the World Scout Foundation on 14 September, for a series of panel discussions and intergenerational dialogues aimed at strengthening youth-led action for peace, sustainability, and global impact. Further sessions explored themes such as strengthening youth leadership, harnessing technology for peace, and building networks to foster collaboration across cultures and generations and took place at the King Abdulaziz Public Library thanks to the gracious support of its Supervisor General and World Scout Foundation Board Member HE Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin I. Muaammar.
“For me, being here is an incredible celebration of the Kingdom’s contribution to the development of over a million Scout communities worldwide thanks to phase one of the Messengers of Peace initiative: 16 million local projects, 32 million volunteers, and nearly 3 billion hours of service. Phase two is going to do even more thanks to the development of the Scout Movement, its volunteers and its passion. […] Let’s get going with Messengers of Peace!”
HRH Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, Immediate Past Chair, World Scout Foundation, addressing the Messengers of Peace youth event on the morning of 14 September.
In parallel to the Messengers of Peace youth event, the Saudi Ministry of Education hosted a dynamic launch event. Over 500 dignitaries, including hundreds of Saudi Scouts of all ages celebrated the renewed Messengers of Peace grant, which will support capacity strengthening projects of National Scout Organizations, inspire peace education and community development projects, as well as special projects enabling humanitarian action over the next 10 years.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Education and President of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, HE Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan affirmed that Saudi Arabia, with the continued support of its leadership, remains a key partner in advancing the message of peace and sustainable development toward a safer, more humane world for future generations. HRH Prince Guillaume highlighted the Saudi Vision 2030 objective to empower youth, outlining how Scouting plays a vital role by promoting volunteerism, equipping young people with skills for life and leading community service. Messengers of Peace awardees and champions from Bangladesh, Niger, Palestine, Romania and Tunisia shared stories of impact from their communities, and Saudi Scouts also took to the stage to mark the next phase of the initiative.
“The second phase of the Messengers of Peace initiative, launched in the Kingdom, represents a global model for empowering youth and promoting a culture of peace,”
HE Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Minister of Education, adding that funding will be provided to a range of projects, including those on the environment, health, volunteering, peace building, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
We were also honoured by the presence at the inauguration of our long-standing partners from Alwaleed Philanthropies, Secretary General HRH Princess Lamia Bint Al Saud, together with Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, HRH Princess Reem bint Alwaleed Al Saud.
On 15 September, HRH Prince Guillaume, and World Scouting Secretary General and WSF Board Member David Berg, together with Members of the Foundation Board participated in a rich and informative exchange at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, kindly hosted by Dr. Aqeel Alghamdi, Deputy Secretary General, discussing areas of common interest for potential partnership.
The two days concluded with a visit to Diriyah, hosted by the Ministry of Education, an opportunity to learn more about the historic city’s rich history, the Saudi people, and to further exchange on the Messengers of Peace.
The World Scout Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its steadfast support of Scouting's peace-building work via the Messengers of Peace initiative, to the Minister of Education and President of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, HE Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Vice-President of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association Dr Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Almedaires, all representatives of World Scouting present and every single international and Saudi Scout participant.
Special thanks are also extended to all the Foundation’s Board Members, and especially to our Saudi Arabian Board Members HH Princess Sama Bint Faisal Al Saud and HE Faisal bin Abdulrahman I. bin Muaammar for their unwavering support of Messengers of Peace in the Kingdom and abroad and for their hospitality in Riyadh. We also extend our deepest appreciation to HH Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud, who has championed Messengers of Peace since its inception and who, together with his family, also generously received the Board in Riyadh.
Visit the photo gallery here.
Photo Credits: World Scout Foundation; World Scouting; Yassine Elhor; King Abdulaziz Public Library.