An Agora as defined by the European Scouting Region, is an event run for Rovers by Rovers, utilising specific Scouting methods to empower youths around the continent. Here young adults can discuss their aspirations, experiences and ideas that in turn can be used to help Rovers beyond national borders. Each year an Agora is held with a different theme, which then the programme is based, this year`s theme was “A trip through the past, present, and future, focusing on empowering, inspiring, and motivating each other as youth and as Rovers for their path ahead”. 30 participant scouts aged between 17-24 ranging from 21 countries, including Malta, attended this Agora in Tirana Albania between the 9th and 13th of April 2025.
Kaia Piccinino is currently the Rover Crew Co-ordinator within the Attard Scout Group and a part of the National Rover Event and Service team, represented Malta in this Agora. The Agora included informative sessions on project planning, SWOT analysis and the meaning of youth empowerment. In one particular session, participants were asked to give a short presentation about their National Scout Organisation – this session allowed every nationality the opportunity to talk about scouting in their countries. Kaia noted how even though the members in attendance were all similar in age they each had very different opinions and interests, which further fuelled their discussions.
However, not all activities were based solely on scouting, while in Tirana, participants went sightseeing. Furthermore, to encourage the multicultural experience the participants had both an Albanian night and an international night. During the international night, scouts brought food from their countries for others to try.
Another event at the Agora was the Marketplace, here Rovers set up an ‘exhibit’ per country and got to talk about scouting in their associations and ongoing projects amongst other things. Making this a great opportunity to learn about different ideas, methods, and goals. The marketplace helped give a clearer explanation of how scouting works in other countries.
“Marketplace was very interesting - I learnt about different projects going on (eg. New policies for transgender scouts in Ireland, beehives made from recycles scouts' uniforms/clothes in England). I also enjoyed the games/free time as they gave me the opportunity to socialise with different people and make friends.”
Kaia Piccinino
Two key takeaways that Kaia noted were:
- The importance of planning and presenting an idea effectively
- Believing in yourself means that you are halfway there! Having confidence in yourself and your goals helps tremendously in achieving them.
To Kaia, this Agora further highlighted the importance of having youths involved in decision-making for scouting, which going forward she is determined to work towards more youth involvement whilst encouraging young rovers to take part in things on a national level and within their groups.
“Overall, this experience was a positive one I believe it helped me grow on a personal level and as a Rover in Malta. I now understand better the meaning of youth empowerment and what one can do within their group to push forward a project and new ideas and last but not least I have established connections and friendships With foreign scouts that I'm sure will last a lifetime.”
Kaia Piccinino
Scouting beyond borders such as attending Agora`s or Jamborees can influence one`s perception of scouting, as well as give them an insight into scouting abroad and cultures. Which is why we highly encourage all scouts to attend similar events.