engage. excite. empower.
“Together we can change our world”
What is WAGGGS?
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the umbrella organization for all the official Girl Guide and Girl Scout associations in the world. WAGGGS is the world’s largest international voluntary organization for girls and young women.
We have 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 144 countries, with more countries working towards membership. Through our members and their families we reach approximately 50 million people worldwide.
WAGGGS is divided into five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Western Hemisphere and has five (5) World Centres (in Africa, India, UK, Mexico and Switzerland.) These provide an international experience, leadership opportunities and adventure for girls and young women.
What We Do?
We provide non formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenge and adventure.
Our strength lies in the millions of girls and young women we serve and the impact they have among their peers, their families and the wider communities in which they live.
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts work on projects combating HIV and AIDS, peace building projects, healthy living and nutrition programmes, programmes that develop and nurture self esteem and self confidence so girls and young women can make their own decisions about their lifestyles.
WAGGGS’ mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB
Robert Baden-Powell was a British Army lieutenant-general, Second Boer War hero, a writer, and the founder and Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts Movement. It was his sister Agnes, however, who helped in the founding and development of the Girl Guides Movement (later the Girl Scouts in the U.S.A.) in 1910.
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Agnes Baden-Powell, an accomplished musician, versatile in piano, violin and organ, was also an honourary companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society. She held positions in the Westminster Division of the Red Cross - President, and worked for the League of Mercy and Queen Mary's Needlework Guild.
In 1910, there were approximately 6000 young girls registered as Girl Guides. In 1912, Agnes Baden-Powell established the first Lone Company or Lone Guides and became the de facto President of the Girl Guides Association.​
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In 1912, the Guides' first handbook by Agnes Baden-Powell, entitled "The Handbook for the Girl Guides or How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire" was published. It was a reworking of the Scouting for Boys book written by her brother Robert Baden-Powell several years earlier. The Girl Guide Movement was given official recognition in 1915.
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It was not until Robert Baden-Powell's travels to the United States in January of 1912, that, he met Olave St. Clair Soames. The two were married later that year. During the years 1913 to 1917, three children filled the air with fun and excitement: Arthur Robert Peter (1913), Heather Grace (1915) and Betty St. Clair (1917).
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Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Baroness Baden-Powell, GBE, also known as Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, or The Dowager Lady Baden-Powell, became Chief Guide for Britain in 1918.
In 1916 the new County Commissioners voted Olave Baden-Powell into the new post of Chief Guide, and Agnes was offered the honorary post of President which she reluctantly accepted.
In 1917, following pressure, Agnes resigned from the Presidency in favor of Princess Mary, who was also a keen supporter of the Girl Guides.
Agnes continued in her role as Vice-President until her death in June of 1945.
The Five World Centres
Each World Centre has been designed and built to provide spaces where girls and young women from all around the globe, may come together in friendship and fellowship with each other. These Centres facilitate programmes for sharing cultural experiences and broaden leadership and life skills​.
Our Chalet, Switzerland
Our Chalet is nestled in the beautiful Alpine resort of Adelboden, Switzerland. It is said to be surrounded by 'chocolate box' views of picturesque mountains and the bustling town centre.
This great space was the first WAGGGS World Centre. Today, some eighty-one years later, the dream, of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, to strenghthen bonds of international friendship and to gain understanding of each other's land and culture, continues at this awe-inspiring facility. Read more
Pax Lodge, United Kingdom
The British are well known for their upkeep of tradition and Pax Lodge certainly expresses that value with its International nights at which guests are given the opportunity to share songs, games and experiences from their own cultures; Flag raising ceremony and the reading of daily reflections are still practiced as it was at Our Ark and Olave House.
In March 1991, Pax Lodge was officially opened by H.R.H. The Princess Benedikte of Denmark. The centre offers scheduled programmes and events throughout the year. Read more
Our Cabaña, Mexico
Amidst exotic tropical gardens and spectacular mountainous terrain, you will find Our Cabaña, the third World Centre built as a home away from home. The Chief's Door of Our Cabaña was officially opened in June 1957 and has welcomed thousands of girls and adults from all around the world.
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​Surrounding the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, home of Our Cabaña you will find two of the most beautiful snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Our Cabaña is one of those special places where rich history and culture abounds and where friendships can begin and flourish. Read more
Sangam, India
The name, Sangam is derived from the ancient language of Sanskrit and means "coming together". This certainly appeals to the notion that this Centre is an ideal place for Girl Guides to expand their cross-cultural understanding and awareness in a beautiful and serene international setting.​​
World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell, officially opened the newest of the World Centres - Sangam, on the 16th October 1966. In her speech, she compared Sangam to a powerhouse generating light and the power of love.​
Sangam is set in over seven acres of lush grounds on the banks of the Mula River in the modern city of Pune. Pune's reputation for educational excellence has earned it the description "the Oxford of India". Read more
Kusafiri, Africa
In October 2015, the 'Fifth' World Centre was given its new name, Kusafiri World Centre. Kusafiri means 'to journey' in Swahili.
To date there are seven (7) member organisations participating in the fund and leadership development programmes of WAGGGS:
â—˜ Ghana â—˜ South Africa
â—˜ Rwanda â—˜ Kenya
â—˜ Nigeria â—˜ Benin
â—˜ Madagascar
Logos, Links and Content are by permission of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
All references: The WAGGGS Website, www.wagggsworld.org and The Publication, The 4 World Centres The Story of Four World Centres
WAGGGS Regions
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts reaches 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries located in five regions: Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe and Western Hemisphere. WAGGGS also runs five (5) World Centres: Pax Lodge in London, Our Cabaña in Mexico, Our Chalet in Switzerland, Sangam in India and Kusafiri in Africa.
Western Hemisphere
Europe
Africa
Arab
Asia Pacific
Western Hemisphere Region​
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Western Hemisphere Region
The Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago (GGATT) is an active member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and one of the thirty-six member organisations of the Western Hemisphere Region.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) comprises five Regions created for management and administrative purposes and to ensure that WAGGGS is able to meet the needs of each country member.
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WAGGGS’ Western Hemisphere Region was established in 1960 and works in partnership with its Member Organisations to offer girls and young women fun and friendship as well as opportunities for personal development, working within a team, decision-making and leadership skills which they can use within their own organizations, their communities and their everyday lives.
The Region provides a platform for girls and young women to be empowered to speak out on issues such as HIV and AIDS, adolescent pregnancy, human trafficking and prevention of sexual abuse. Alliances with UN agencies and NGOs on specific projects and programmes, including UNAIDS on adolescent heath and UNICEF on young people’s rights, collaboration with UNESCO on environmental issues and with the Regional Committee of Water Resources (CRRH) in Central America tackling climate change issues assist in the facilitation and development of these programmes and projects.
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The Western Hemisphere Region represent the views of young women of the region at the Latin American Youth Forum (FLAJ), a policy-making body focusing on youth issues. We are active members of the Iberoamerican Youth Space (EIJ), a coalition of international, regional and national youth organizations. We also aim to provide young women with the opportunity to develop their leadership and advocacy skills through participating in international events, seminars and workshops. Read more
Photos, Graphics, Maps, Logos, Links and Content are by permission of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
All references: The WAGGGS Website, www.wagggsworld.org and The Publication, The 4 World Centres The Story of Four World Centres
Caribbean Link of Guiding
The Caribbean Link of Guiding has worked to strengthen Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting across the Caribbean region with a particular focus on training since 1958.
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There are approximately 23 members, the majority of which are also Member Organisations of WAGGGS.
In 2014, the Western Hemisphere Region and the Caribbean Link embarked on a joint initiative to expand leadership trainings throughout this part of the region. Two successful events since then in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have exposed several Member Organisations to the WAGGGS’ National Leadership Development Programme (NLDP).
The region has collaborated with the Caribbean Link to roll out our new volunteer consultant model which provides Member Organisations with tailor-made support in the areas of governance, training and programme delivery.
