Everything you need to know about World Thinking Day and its importance

Posted On: 2023-02-24 10:57:20

22nd February is celebrated as World Thinking Day annually. Since 1926, All Girl Scouts and Guide Societies commemorate this day with full zeal and enthusiasm. Some traditions are observed on this day as well. For example, rangers can be found climbing to the top of Maungawhau / Mount Eden, where they set up a campfire and sing the world song. Then they have a session where the members speak their minds. Similarly, members from different Girl Scouts and Guide Societies come together on ScoutLink to chat with each other and celebrate their founders. A programme called Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA)  on amateur radio is also broadcasted.

 

So, Here is everything you need to know about this auspicious occasion, and its significance.

 

HISTORY:

 

The day was first announced almost a century ago in 1926. At the Fourth Girl Scout International Conference, in Girl Scouts of the United States’s Camp Edith Macy, where delegates highlighted the need for an international day. The objective was to create a day when members all over the world would think about Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and give them gratitude for their services. The date of 22nd February was decided as it was the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell (Founder of the Boy Scout Movement), and co-incidentally his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell (World Chief Guide).

 

It was at the 30th World Conference in Ireland in 1999, when the name was changed from ‘Thinking Day’ to ‘World Thinking Day’, stressing the importance of worldwide celebration. 

 

Significance:

 

Across the globe, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides gather to debate and discuss issues that have plagued girls and women around the world. It also encourages sisterhood and long-lasting friendships among girls to build loyalty and trust.

 

Several Events like hiking, bake sales, seminars, and camps, are conducted to spread awareness on this day.

 

Themes:

 

Ever since 2005, World Thinking Day has been associated with a specific theme. It started with ‘Think about food’, which was followed by ‘Think about, talk about and do something about adolescent health issues.’  In the next years, various themes like growth, leadership and peace were used. The theme for last year was ‘Our World, Our Equal Future’. This year the theme is ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future’. The theme for 2024 will be ‘Our World, Our Peaceful Future’.

 

Our World, Our Thriving Future

 

 

 

As mentioned above, the theme for this year is ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future.’ The theme attempts to explore how we can work with nature to create a more peaceful and secure world for girls, and what the environment can teach us.

 

The activity pack of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), features the saga of Miku, a young girl who goes on a quest to achieve peace and balance within her world. The story is inspired by folktales, and we are sure it would be an inspiring one. The story would also be translated into eight different internationally-recognized languages.

 

So, Pull up your scouts and celebrate World Thinking Day on 22nd February. 

 

Author: Adil Sayyad