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Address by the President of the Republic at the conference "90 Years of Scouting in Estonia" 7 October 2002, in Tallinn07.10.2002
Distinguished Chairwoman of the World Committee of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, Dr Marie-Luise Correa,
Honourable Leaders, Teachers and Friends of the Estonian Scouts,
Dear Conference Members,
All of us facing the today's world can see how badly needed are tolerance, comradeship, noble-mindedness and charity, trust in ourselves and in the others. And to form all these qualities has been the very mission of the Scout Movement founded by Sir Baden-Powell at the beginning of the last century.
It was perceived already at the outset of the Scout Movement that the protection of peace in the world was possible neither by economic and political alliances nor by defence organisations only. To this end, the spirit of peace that should dominate people's minds, desires and deeds is needed. "Peace is a matter of education," Sir Baden-Powell has stressed.
The Estonian Scout Association, one of the organisations joining twenty-five million Scouts in over two hundred countries and regions, that by today`s seminar marks its ninetieth anniversary, has every reason to be proud of the way covered.
The Estonian Scouts in all their activities have followed two principles established by the World Organisation of Scouts. First, that the Scouting is an educational movement in the broadest sense. And second, it is a continuous personality development, the task of which is producing of capable individuals characterized by spirit of initiative and taking account of others.
To take responsibility for the decisions made, to keep one's promises and to finish businesses once started, to live observing one's convictions and to respect the right of all humans to do the same - these are the goals for the sake of which all Scout organisations, including the Young Eagles and the Home Daughters or associations of young people gathered under some other name, are called upon to operate. While doing so, the Scout organisations are going to take an important place in the Estonian educational system as a whole.
The Republic of Estonia must have the right to hope that the young, growing generation carries on the humanistic, democratic and patriotic ideals. These ideals were followed already by our ancestors and parents when they started to dream of an Estonian state and then - tackled this task. These ideals must keep their central place also in the future when Estonia will have become a member of the European Union.
Yet, on the other hand, the right to hope also means that the Estonian state is obliged to support in every way the traditions of the Scout Movement and its expansion. The Scouting must become one of the natural constituents of civic education in Estonia.
I hope your today's seminar not only to look back at the worthy history of Estonian Scouting but also to help find a clear future prospect for our Scout Movement.
There are the words "Ole valmis!" ("Be Prepared!") on the badge of the Estonian Scouts. This is a duty that equally applies to our nation as a whole. Hence we can say that the Estonian Scouting is a part of the Estonian statehood. In parallel with strengthening the Scouting we are strengthening the sustainability of our statehood and society.
I wish your seminar every success, but all Estonian Scouts - to be happy to develop themselves, and to be successful in making the world better!
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