World Scouting: Educating for Global Citizenship

Book By: Eduard Vallory
Review By: Dr. Margaret Mbindyo
Academic and Student Development
Millersville University

As a follow up to his doctoral research analyzing scouting as a global movement, Eduardo Vallory has published a most unique book that goes in depth to expose scouting not just as a global movement but as one that produces global citizens. The importance of training for citizen education has been stressed clearly in the last decade (Cappelle, Crippin & Lundgren, 2011). Written in a way that will keep you glued to read, this book paints a vivid picture of the structure of the scouting movement including Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Girl Scouts and Cubs/Brownies for younger boys and girls.  It will no doubt leave you with new perspectives about scouting as a whole.

Today, colleges and universities are under pressure to identify creative ways of working with their students to exude integrity especially in academics the corner stone of the work of any academic institution. Readers will find this book useful in the area of student development to encourage integrity, personal responsibility, as well as an understanding of global interdependence and skills for democratic participation. Vallory provides a deep and multidisciplinary analysis of how scouting contributes to the virtues of honesty, integrity, serving others, acceptance and respect to diversity, and a commitment of leaving the world a better place –key characteristics of global citizen. These are values that are central in higher education advisement.

In addition, the scouting law and its promise which are the guiding principles of the movement is a spiritual dimension of scouting which is an integral part of scouting. The author shows how just like the biblical Ten Commandments guide the Christian faith, the scouting laws guide the scout to be loyal, courteous, obedient, pure in thought and to live in harmony with all creatures (Hammit, 2002).  Indeed, in exploring scouting, the author concurs with my personal beliefs of being kind, caring beyond self and finding satisfaction in service to others. As an adviser, these are my guiding principles and this is what I hope my students can take away from my meetings with them. In advising our students to take responsibility and ownership for the time they have in college, we are hoping that they can make that an important part of their lives- responsible world citizens.

In highlighting the recreational side of scouting, Vallory exposes an important element of the movement- the non-formal education which he argues is shaped by the global location of the platoon and cultural diversity and ability to adapt to different realities. I couldn’t agree more, within the scouting expeditions and around the camp fires, lots of educational exchange happen. Furthermore, as he argues, technology now enhances educational service delivery and relationships made within the movement. It is also a tool that is used to educate across different scouting platoons. Though this book does not relate directly to academic advising, it is timely and relevant  because it provides some useful insights for higher education advisement professionals  who are in the business of nurturing a sense of responsibility in college students to be successful in their academics, global in their perspectives and ethical in their association with others.

References
Cappelle, G., Crippin, G. & Lundgren, U. (2011). World Citizenship Education and Teacher Training in a Global Context. CiCe Erasmus Academic Network. Available from: http://cice.londonmet.ac.uk
Hammit, E (2000). A Biblical Perspective on the Scout Law. http://listserv.tcu.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0001&L=scouts-l&P=12223