Figure 1.-- Italian Explorers arrive for a Jamboree in Poland in August of 2003, some 10,000 plus FSE Explorers attended from all 15 countries

The Union Internationale des Guides et Scouts d’Europe (FSE) is an international Scout association that embraces the traditional teachings and program developed by Lord Baden-Powell in England. The FSE was first organized in France and Germany as far back as 1953, but have since spread throughout Europe. There are FSE units in 15 European countries and Canada (Ontario). As far as we know there are no FSE groups in the United States. The movement is especially important in France where it was first organized. It is the second most important Scout association in France. It is an important movement concerned with youth education. It was certified by the Ministry of Education in 1970 and recertified in 2004. The physical and moral safety of children and youth is one of the FSE's top priorities. Thus the training of the FSE's 5,000 voluntary adult leaders, den mothers, and youth leaders is a priority. The training program enables them to build a valuable and appealing program for the children. The movement has been approved by Catholic Church authorities and is especially important in countries with Catholic populations. The movement is, however, not restricted to Catholic children, but to all interested children who are prepared to participate in a traditional Scouting program with a strong spiritual emphasis. The FSE also emphasizes citizen ship preparation.. There is also a serious effort to accommodate handicapped children and include them in the program. There is also a major effort to address environmental concerns, especially nature conservancy. As a result in France the FSE program has been approved by the National Office of Forests. The FSE also gives priority to building a pan-European community spirit.

International Movement

The Union Internationale des Guides et Scouts d’Europe (FSE) is an international Scout association that embraces the traditional teachings and program developed by Lord Baden-Powell in England.

Member Countries

The FSE was first organized in France and Germany as far back as 1953, but have since spread throughout Europe. There are FSE units in 15 European countries and Canada (Ontario). As far as we know there are no FSE groups in the United States. The movement is especially important in France where it was first organized. It is the second most important Scout association in France. While the FSE is essentially a European movement, we notice units in Canada. The Canadian association, FSE-Canada, is located in Ontario where the members are mostly Anglophone Canadians.

Youth Formation

It is an important movement concerned with youth education. It was certified by the Ministry of Education in 1970 and recertified in 2004. The physical and moral safety of children and youth is one of the FSE's top priorities.

Leader Training

The training of the FSE's 5,000 voluntary adult leaders, den mothers, and youth leaders is a priority. The training program enables them to build a valuable and appealing program for the children.

Catholic Program

The movement has been approved by Catholic Church authorities and is especially important in countries with Catholic populations. The movement is, however, not restricted to Catholic children, but to all interested children who are prepared to participate in a traditional Scouting program with a strong spiritual emphasis.

Ciizenship

The FSE also emphasizes citizen ship preparation. There is also a serious effort to accommodate handicapped children and include them in the program.

Envirionmental Concerns

There is also a major effort to address environmental concerns, especially nature conservancy. As a result in France the FSE program has been approved by the National Office of Forests.

European Spirit

The FSE also gives priority to building a pan-European coomunity spirit. The FSE sponsors numerous Jamboree-like events to give FSE Scouts an opportunity to meet and enjoy activities with Scouts from all over Europe and from FSE explorer Groups in Canada.