What is World Thinking Day?
On 22nd February, every year the World Thinking Day is celebrated around the world by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
The day brings girls from around 150 countries together and is celebrated to appreciate the help and guidance of sisters around the world.
It inspires people to think about global issues and acts as an important fundraising event for WAGGS which keeps the Movement going.
What is the history of World Thinking Day?
The day was first celebrated in 1926. It was during the 4th conference of Girl Guides in the USA that the idea of having a day for appreciating girl guides and scouts around the world was pitched. After discussion, 22nd February was mutually chosen as the World Thinking Day.
Delegates chose to celebrate the day on the joint birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement and guide movement, and his wife Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.
Until 1999, the day was simply called the ‘Thinking Day’, and was largely restricted to the United States. During the 30th Girl Scout conference in Belgian, the name was changed to ‘World Thinking Day’ to signify its global impact.
What is WTD Fund?
At the Seventh World Conference in 1932 in Poland, a Belgian delegate suggested that the girls’ appreciation and friendship should be shown by the exchange of presents, in the form of a voluntary contribution to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
In response, Olave Baden-Powell wrote a letter to all Guides and Girl Scouts asking them to donate just a penny, to help fund guiding around the world. It is used to help more girls around the world by spreading the Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting program.
What is the Theme of World Thinking Day?
The theme for World Thinking Day 2021 is ‘Peacebuilding’.
Each World Thinking Day observes a different theme with a focus on important international issues that affect the world. This allows them to be more aware of different global concerns.
Peacebuilding is at the heart of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and is as vital and relevant today as for the last 100 years. By completing the steps in the Stand Together For Peace activity pack, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts will; Stand Strong, Stand up and Stand Together for peacebuilding.
What about the Celebration of WTD 2021?
The Girl Scouts and Girl Guides organize many individual and international events on World Thinking Day. The events and activities usually focus on the year’s theme.
This is a day to connect with and show appreciation for their Scout sisters, so Girls Scouts and Guides packs organize activities that encourage bonding between the girls, such as group hikes to watch the sunset, camping, and parties.
Around the world, girls connect on ScoutLink or over amateur radio for Thinking Day on the Air or by sending letters and postcards to other Scouts and Guides.
There are quite a few traditions associated with WTD. In some parts of the world, girl scouts and guides climb Mount Eden and wave the Guide World Flag and sing the World Song thanking each other for their support and take pledges to support the community as long as they can. In some parts, a candle is lit by the window pane, where darkness stands for problems and illumination stands for solutions and guidance.
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