Lebanese Scouting Federation

The Lebanese Scouting Federation is the national coordinating body for Scouting in Lebanon. Known in French as Fédération du scoutisme libanais and in Arabic as إتحاد كشاف لبنان, it brings together Scouting organizations representing several religious, cultural, educational, and community traditions in the country. The federation was founded in 1961 and serves as the principal umbrella structure for Lebanese Scouting, while individual member associations retain their own identities, programs, emblems, and organizational traditions. Scouting reached Lebanon before the federation was created. In 1912, two teachers who had come from England, Abdul Satar and Mohammad Abdul Jabbar Khairy, established an early Scout troop at a school supported by Toufik El Hibri. The troop developed a broad program and reportedly traveled to Istanbul, where its members met Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V. Participants in this early movement later helped spread Scouting and Guiding in Lebanon and elsewhere. After Lebanon became independent in 1943, Scouting expanded rapidly across the country. Lebanon became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1947. The federation's later role was shaped by the country's political and social divisions, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War. Scouts from different associations assisted civilians by distributing food, medicine, and other relief supplies. Some groups organized first-aid teams for wounded people, while Scouts also joined peace initiatives. Despite the conflict, members from opposing sides maintained contact and regarded one another as part of the same Scout movement. This cross-community continuity helped reinforce the public image of Scouting as a service-oriented institution and a channel for cooperation among Lebanese youth. The federation's work includes coordinating member associations, supporting youth development, promoting preparedness and community service, and encouraging peace and unity. Summer camps and other youth activities are among the mechanisms through which the movement seeks to build relationships across Lebanon's communities. Its visual identity is closely associated with the Cedar of Lebanon, the country's national symbol, which appears on the federation badge and on the emblems of several member organizations. The Scout motto is expressed in English as "Be Prepared," in French as "Toujours Prêt," and in Arabic as "Kun Musta'idan"; an Armenian-language form is also used within the country's diverse Scouting environment. Reference material has described the federation as representing approximately 29 or 30 organizations, with a combined estimated membership of about 100,000 Scouts, although a World Organization of the Scout Movement figure cited for 2005 was 14,334 Scouts. These figures are not directly comparable and should not be treated as a current membership total. The federation has also been connected with regional Scouting activity. An Arab Regional Jamboree planned for Lebanon in August 2006 was postponed because the security and political environment was considered unsuitable; the event was subsequently expected to take place in Beirut in 2007. The federation's present-day work remains linked to Lebanon's continuing need for civic cooperation, youth engagement, humanitarian service, and reconstruction-oriented community activity.

Scouting in Lebanon predates the creation of the Lebanese Scouting Federation by several decades. In 1912, Abdul Satar and Mohammad Abdul Jabbar Khairy, two teachers who had come from England, established an early Scout troop at a school associated with Toufik El Hibri. The troop undertook a range of activities and made a notable journey to Istanbul in the Ottoman period, where its members met Sultan Mehmed V. This early group became an important source of organizers and advocates for the later spread of Scouting and Guiding in Lebanon and in other countries. Following Lebanese independence in 1943, Scouting expanded throughout the country. The movement developed through multiple associations connected with different religious communities, schools, civic groups, and social organizations. Lebanon entered the international Scout system in 1947 as a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The creation of the Lebanese Scouting Federation in 1961 provided a national umbrella for these organizations and gave Lebanese Scouting a formal mechanism for coordination and representation. The federation's history is particularly significant because of the role played by Scouts during the Lebanese Civil War. Members of different associations assisted civilians by distributing food, medicine, and other forms of aid to refugees and affected communities. Some groups established first-aid units that supported wounded people. Scouts also participated in peace campaigns intended to help end the conflict. Although the associations were connected to communities on different sides of the political and military divisions, Scouts maintained personal and organizational contact with one another. Their continued sense of common membership offered an example of unity in a deeply divided society. The movement's public reputation benefited from this humanitarian role. Lebanese families came to associate Scouting with service, discipline, preparedness, and practical assistance, and many parents encouraged children to participate. After the war, the federation and its member organizations continued to operate in a country dealing with reconstruction and the long-term social effects of conflict. Their stated activities included youth camps, peace and unity campaigns, outdoor programs, and community service. Several Lebanese Scouting figures received the Bronze Wolf, the World Organization of the Scout Movement's highest distinction for exceptional service to world Scouting. Muhammad El Hibri received the award in 1973, followed by Dr. Farid Karam in 1977 and Rashid Shoucair in 1981. These recognitions connected Lebanese Scouting leadership with the wider international movement. The federation has also been involved in regional Scouting planning. An Arab Regional Jamboree intended for Lebanon in August 2006 had to be postponed because the security environment did not permit a stable event. The organizers later planned for Beirut to host it in 2007. Across its history, the federation has therefore combined national coordination with humanitarian service, youth development, and efforts to preserve cooperation among Lebanon's diverse communities.

• 1981

  Rashid Shoucair receives the Bronze Wolf

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Rashid Shoucair received the Bronze Wolf for service to international Scouting.

• 1977

  Dr. Farid Karam receives the Bronze Wolf

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Dr. Farid Karam became another Lebanese recipient of the Bronze Wolf distinction.

• 1973

  Muhammad El Hibri receives the Bronze Wolf

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Muhammad El Hibri received the Bronze Wolf for exceptional service to world Scouting.

• 1961

  Lebanese Scouting Federation founded

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  The national federation was established to coordinate Lebanon's Scouting organizations.

• 1947

  Lebanon joins the World Organization of the Scout Movement

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Lebanon became a member of the international World Organization of the Scout Movement.

• 1943

  Scouting expands after Lebanese independence

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  After Lebanon gained independence, Scouting spread rapidly across the country through multiple associations and community networks.

• 1912

  Early Scout troop established in Lebanon

  [1]Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Teachers Abdul Satar and Mohammad Abdul Jabbar Khairy established an early Scout troop at a school supported by Toufik El Hibri, helping introduce organized Scouting activity in Lebanon.

A national, multi-community youth-service federation that uses Scouting to develop preparedness, leadership, civic responsibility, peace, and solidarity in Lebanon.

• Youth development

  Youth Scouting programs

  The federation coordinates a national Scouting framework delivered through member associations. Programs generally use Scouting activities to develop responsibility, preparedness, teamwork, leadership, and service among children and young people, while allowing participating organizations to maintain their own community and institutional identities.

• Outdoor education

  Summer camps and outdoor activities

  Camps and outdoor activities are central platforms for youth participation and relationship-building. In the federation's stated role, such activities support practical skills, cooperation, discipline, and peace-oriented contact among young people from Lebanon's different communities.

• Community service

  Humanitarian and community service

  Lebanese Scouts have a documented history of assisting civilians during periods of conflict, including the distribution of food and medicine and support for refugees. Member associations have also formed first-aid groups and participated in broader community-service activities.

• Civic and peace education

  Peace and unity campaigns

  The federation and its constituent associations use Scouting activities and public campaigns to promote peace, social cohesion, and Lebanese unity. The movement's continued contact across wartime divisions is an important part of this positioning.

• Peace and unity campaigns

  Lebanon

  Scouts participated in peace initiatives during the Lebanese Civil War and continued to promote peace and unity through youth activities and camps after the conflict.

  Outcome. The campaigns contributed to the movement's reputation as a cross-community organization, although no quantified campaign results are provided.

  Source
• Civilian relief and first-aid service

  Lebanon

  During the Lebanese Civil War, Scouts from different associations distributed food, medicine, and other aid to civilians and refugees. Some associations also organized first-aid groups to help wounded people.

  Outcome. The service work strengthened public recognition of Lebanese Scouting as a humanitarian and community-support movement.

  Source

• 2006

  Arab Regional Jamboree postponedOther

  Background

  An Arab Regional Jamboree was planned to take place in Lebanon in August 2006, but the country's security and political conditions did not provide a sufficiently stable setting.

  Action taken

  Leaders of the Arab Scout Region deferred the event and planned for Beirut to host it during 2007 instead.

  Aftermath

  The postponement illustrated the effect of Lebanon's security environment on its ability to host major international youth gatherings. The available reference does not confirm whether the rescheduled event took place.

  Source

1. 1Lebanese Scouting Federationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Lebanese Scouting Associationlsa.org.lb