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World Organization of the Scout MovementWorld Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

Organisation Mondiale du Mouvement Scout (OMMS)

(221 member associations in 167 countries plus Palestine, 28 million members, founded 1922)

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, WOSM (or OMMS in French) represents the vast majority of all the world's male Scouts, and almost 13% of the female Scouts. There are 201 national Scout associations in WOSM plus another 20 umbrella federations (since WOSM will only recognize one Scouting association in each country, multiple national associations that wish to be part of WOSM have to create—and finance—a national umbrella federations to represent them with WOSM). WOSM national associations are headquartered in 159 countries plus Palestine, plus three associations have branch associations in 8 more countries.

Starting in 1908, early Scouting programs in countries outside England looked to Baden-Powell's London headquarters for guidance and inspiration. But as Scouting spread and matured, the need for an international umbrella organization became apparent, and in 1922 a number of national Scout associations created WOSM. While most WOSM member associations are coed at least in some levels, many let WOSM represent their entire membership, while others let WOSM represent their male membership and WAGGGS (see below) their female membership.

WOSM's five largest associations represent 81% of their total world membership (Indonesia, US, Philippines, India, Thailand)!

Member Associations listed alphbetically by country (date is the year Scouting first started in that country). Countries whose Scouting is a branch of another country's association are listed at the end:


  1. Albania—Beslidhja Skaut Albania, 2005
  2. Algeria—Scouts Musulmans Algériens (Algerian Muslim Scouts), 1939
  3. Angola—Associaçăo de Escuteros de Angola/AEA (Scout Association of Angola), 1998
  4. Argentina—Scouts de Argentina, 1912
  5. Armenia—Hayastani Azgayin Scautakan Sharjum Kazmakerputiun/HASK (Armenian National Scout Movement), 1912
  6. Australia—Scouts Australia, 1908
  7. Austria—Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs (Scouts and Guides of Austria), 1912 (WOSM+WAGGGS)
  8. Azerbaijan—Azerbaican Skaut Assosiasiyasi, 1997
  9. The Bahamas—The Scout Association of the Bahamas, 1913
  10. Bahrain—Boy Scouts of Bahrain, 1953
  11. Bangladesh—Bangladesh Scouts, 1972
  12. Barbados—Barbados Boy Scouts Association, 1912
  13. Belgium—Gidsen- en Scoutsbeweging in België (Flemish)/Guidisme et Scoutisme en Belgique (French) (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
  14. Belgium—Federatie voor Open Scoutisme/FOS (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  15. Belgium—Fédération Catholique des Scouts Baden-Powell de Belgique/FSC (WOSM sub-association)
  16. Belgium—Scouts et Guides Pluralistes de Belgique/SGP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  17. Belgium—Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen/SGV-BE (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  18. Belize—The Scout Association of Belize, 1911
  19. Benin—Scoutisme Béninois, 1932
  20. Bhutan—Bhutan Scout Tshogpa, 1991
  21. Bolivia—Asociación de Scouts de Bolivia, 1915
  22. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (umbrella federation), 1999
  23. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Scout Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Hezergovina (sub-association)
  24. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Scout Association of Republica Srpska (sub-association)
  25. Botswana—The Botswana Scouts Association, 1936
  26. Brazil—Uniăo dos Escoteiros do Brasil, 1910
  27. Brunei—Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei Darussalam National Scout Association), 1933
  28. Bulgaria—Organizatsia Na Bulgarskite Skauty/OBS, 1911-1913
  29. Burkina Faso—Fédération Burkinabé du Scoutisme (WOSM umbrella federation), 1943
  30. Burkina Faso—Les Scouts du Burkina Faso (WOSM sub-association)
  31. Burkina Faso—Les Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses du Burkina Faso (WOSM sub-association)
  32. Burundi—Association des Scouts du Burundi, 1940
  33. Cambodia—National Association of Cambodian Scouts, 2008
  34. Cameroon—Les Scouts du Cameroun/Boy Scouts of Cameroon
  35. Canada—Scouts Canada, 1909
  36. Canada—Association des Scouts du Canada (WOSM "affiliated organization")
  37. Cape Verde—Associaçăo dos Escuteiros de Cabo Verde/AECV, 2002
  38. Chad—Fédération de Scoutisme Tchadien (umbrella federation), 1960
  39. Chad—Eclaireurs du Tchad (sub-association)
  40. Chad—Scouts du Tchad (sub-association)
  41. Chile—Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Chile (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1909
  42. China / Hong Kong—The Scout Association of Hong Kong, 1911
  43. Colombia—Asociación de Scouts de Colombia, 1917
  44. Comoros—Wezo-Mbeli (Association Nationale du Scoutisme Comorien), 1975
  45. Congo (Democratic Republic; formerly Zaire)—Fédération des Scouts de la République Démocratique du Congo, 1924
  46. Costa Rica—Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1915
  47. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Fédération Ivoirienne du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1937
  48. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Eclaireurs Laďcs de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
  49. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Eclaireurs Unionistes de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
  50. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Scouts Catholiques de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
  51. Croatia—Savez Izvidaca Hrvatske (The Scout Association of Croatia), 1915
  52. Cyprus—Cyprus Scouts Association, 1913
  53. Czech Republic—Junák-Svaz Skautu a Skautek [Association of Scouts and Guides] (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1911
  54. Denmark—Faellesrĺdet for Danmarks Drengespejdere (WOSM umbrella federation), 1909
  55. Denmark—Det Danske Spejderkorps/DDS (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  56. Denmark—KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark (WOSM sub-association)
  57. Denmark—Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  58. Denmark—Kalaallit Nunaanni Spejderit Kattufiat/Grřnlands Spejderkorps (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association/Greenland)
  59. Denmark—Meginfelag Föroysku Dreingjaskota (WOSM sub-association/Faroe Islands)
  60. Dominica—The Scout Association of Dominica, 1929
  61. Dominican Republic—Asociación de Scouts Dominicanos, 1926
  62. Ecuador—Asociación de Scouts del Ecuador, 1920
  63. Egypt—Egyptian Scout Federation, 1918
  64. El Salvador—Asociación de Scouts de El Salvador, 1938
  65. Estonia—Eesti Skautide Ühing (Estonian Scout Association), 1912
  66. Ethiopia—Ethiopia Scout Association, 1950
  67. Fiji—Fiji Scouts Association, 1914
  68. Finland—Suomen Partiolaiset—Finlands Scouter ry (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1910
  69. France—Fédération du Scoutisme Français (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1910
  70. France—Les Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs de France/EEDF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  71. France—Les Scouts et Guides de France/SGdF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  72. France—Les Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs Israélites de France/EEIF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  73. France—Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs Unionistes de France/EEUF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  74. France—Scouts Musulmans de France/SMF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  75. Gabon—Fédération Gabonaise du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1936
  76. Gabon—Eclaireuses-Eclaireurs du Gabon (sub-association)
  77. Gabon—Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses Unionistes du Gabon (sub-association)
  78. Gabon—Scouts et Guides Catholiques du Gabon (sub-association)
  79. The Gambia—The Gambia Scout Association, 1921
  80. Georgia—Sakartvelos Skauturi Modzraobis Organizatsia (Georgian Organization of the Scout Movement), 1994
  81. Germany—Ring Deutscher Pfadfinderverbände (WOSM umbrella federation), 1910
  82. Germany—Bund der Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder/BdP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  83. Germany—Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg/DPSG (WOSM sub-association)
  84. Germany—Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder/VCP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  85. Ghana—The Ghana Scout Association, 1912
  86. Greece—Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Scout Association of Greece), 1910
  87. Grenada—The Scout Association of Grenada, 1924
  88. Guatemala—Asociación de Scouts de Guatemala, 1928
  89. Guinea—National Scout Association of Guinea, 2005
  90. Guyana—The Scout Association of Guyana, 1909
  91. Haiti—Scouts d'Haďti, 1932
  92. Honduras—Asociación de Scouts de Honduras, 1952
  93. Hungary—Magyar Cserkészszövetség, 1912
  94. Iceland—Bandalag Islenskra Skáta (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
  95. India—The Bharat Scouts and Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1909
  96. Indonesia—Gerakan Pramuka (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
  97. Ireland—Scouting Ireland, 1908
  98. Israel—Hitachdut Hatsofim Ve Hatsofot Be Israel (Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation)(WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1920
  99. Israel—The Arab School Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  100. Israel—The Druze Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  101. Israel—The Hebrew Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  102. Israel—The Israel Catholic Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  103. Israel—The Israeli Arab Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  104. Israel—The Orthodox Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  105. Israel / Palestinian Authority—Palestinian Scout Association, 1912
  106. Italy—Federazione Italiana dello Scautismo/FIS (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1912
  107. Italy—Associazione Guide e Scout Cattolici Italiani/AGESCI (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  108. Italy—Corpo Nazionale Giovani Esploratori ed Esploratrici Italiani/CNGEI (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  109. Jamaica—The Scout Association of Jamaica, 1910
  110. Japan—Scout Association of Japan, 1913
  111. Jordan—Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1954
  112. Kazakhstan—Organization of the Scout Movement of Kazakhstan/OSMK, 1992
  113. Kenya—The Kenya Scouts Association, 1910
  114. Kiribati—Kiribati Scout Association, 1993
  115. Korea, South—Boy Scouts of Korea, 1922
  116. Kuwait—Kuwait Boy Scouts Association, 1952
  117. Latvia—Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrala Organizacija (The Scout and Guide Central Organization of Latvia)(WOSM+WAGGGS), 1917
  118. Lebanon—Fédération du Scoutisme Libanais (WOSM umbrella federation), 1912
  119. Lebanon—Scouts de l'Indépendence/Independence Scouts (WOSM sub-association)
  120. Lesotho—Lesotho Scouts Association, 1936
  121. Liberia—Boy Scouts of Liberia, 1922
  122. Libya—Public Scout and Girl Guide Movement (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1954
  123. Liechtenstein—Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtensteins (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1931
  124. Lithuania—Lietuvos Skautija (Lithuanian Scouting), 1918
  125. Luxembourg—Le Scoutisme et Guidisme au Luxembourg (WOSM umbrella federation), 1914
  126. Luxembourg—Fédération Nationale des Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses du Luxembourg/FNEL (WOSM sub-association)
  127. Luxembourg—Letzebürger Guiden a Scouten/LGS (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  128. Macedonia—Sojuz na Izvidnici na Makedonija (The Scout Association of Macedonia), 1921
  129. Madagascar—Firaisan'ny Skotisma Eto Madagasikara (Scout Federation of Madagascar)(WOSM umbrella federation), 1921
  130. Madagascar—Kiadin'i Madagasikara (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  131. Madagascar—Antilin'i Madagasikara (WOSM sub-association)
  132. Madagascar—Tily Eto Madagasikara (WOSM sub-association)
  133. Malawi—Scout Association of Malawi, 2005
  134. Malaysia—Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia (The Scout Association of Malaysia), 1911
  135. Maldives—The Scout Association of Maldives, 1963
  136. Malta—The Scout Association of Malta, 1908
  137. Mauritania—Association des Scouts et Guides de Mauritanie (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1946
  138. Mauritius—The Mauritius Scout Association, 1912
  139. Mexico—Asociación de Scouts de México, 1920
  140. Moldova—Organizatia Nationala A Scoutilor Din Moldova (The National Scout Organization of Moldova), 1991
  141. Monaco—Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1990
  142. Mongolia—Mongoliyn Skautiyn Holboo (The Scout Association of Mongolia), 1992
  143. Montenegro—Association of Scouts of Montenegro, 2008
  144. Morocco—Fédération Nationale du Scoutisme Marocain, 1933
  145. Mozambique—Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique, 1960
  146. Namibia—Scouts of Namibia, 1917
  147. Nepal—Nepal Scouts (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1952
  148. Netherlands—Scouting Nederland (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1910
  149. New Zealand—Scouting New Zealand, 1908
  150. Nicaragua—Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua, 1937
  151. Niger—Association des Scouts du Niger, 1947
  152. Nigeria—Boy Scouts of Nigeria, 1915
  153. Norway—Speidernes Fellesorganisasjon (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
  154. Norway—Norges Speiderforbund (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  155. Norway—Norges KFUK-KFUM-speidere (YWCA-YMCA Scouts & Guides of Norway)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  156. Oman—The National Organisation for Scouts and Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1948
  157. Pakistan—Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, 1947
  158. Panama—Asociación Nacional de Scouts de Panamá, 1924
  159. Papua New Guinea—The Scout Association of Papua New Guinea, 1926
  160. Paraguay—Asociación de Scouts del Paraguay, 1960
  161. Peru—Asociación de Scouts del Perú, 1916
  162. Philippines—Boy Scouts of the Philippines, 1923
  163. Poland—Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego/ZHP (The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS), 1919
  164. Portugal—Federaçăo Escutista de Portugal (umbrella federation), 1913
  165. Portugal—Associaçăo dos Escoteiros de Portugal/AEP (sub-association)
  166. Portugal—Corpo Nacional de Escutas/CNE (sub-association)
  167. Qatar—The Scout and Guide Association of Qatar (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1956
  168. Romania—Organizatia Nationala Cercetasii României The National Scout Organization of Romania), 1914
  169. Russia—Russian Association of Scouts/Navigators/RAS/N, 1909
  170. Rwanda—Association des Scouts du Rwanda, 1940
  171. Saint Lucia—The Saint Lucia Scout Association, 1935
  172. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—The Scout Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1924
  173. San Marino—Associazione Guide e Esploratori Cattolici Sanmarinesi (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1973
  174. Saudi Arabia—Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association, 1961
  175. Senegal—Confédération Sénégalaise du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1930
  176. Senegal—Eclaireurs du Sénégal (sub-association)
  177. Senegal—Les Scouts du Sénégal (sub-association)
  178. Serbia—Savez Izvidjaca Srbije (Scout Association of Serbia), 1911
  179. Seychelles—The Scout Association of Seychelles, 2002
  180. Sierra Leone—Sierra Leone Scouts Association, 1909
  181. Singapore—The Singapore Scout Association, 1910
  182. Slovakia—Slovenský Skauting (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1913
  183. Slovenia—Zveza Tabornikov Slovenije (Scout Association of Slovenia), 1915
  184. South Africa—South African Scout Association, 1908
  185. Spain—Federación de Escultismo en Espańa/FEE (umbrella federation), 1912
  186. Spain—Asociación de Scouts de Espańa/ASDE (sub-association)
  187. Spain—Movimiento Scout Católico/MSC (Catholic Scout Movement)(sub-association)
  188. Spain—Federació Catalana d'Escoltisme i Guiatge/FCEG (Catalonian Federation of Scouts and Guides)(WOSM sub-association+WAGGGS umbrella sub-federation)
  189. Spain—Acciň Escolta de Catalunya (sub-association of FCEG)
  190. Spain—Escoltes Catalans/EC (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association of FCEG)
  191. Spain—Minyons Escoltes/Guies Sant Jordi de Catalunya (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association of FCEG)
  192. Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka Scout Association, 1912
  193. Sudan—Sudan Boy Scouts Association, 1935
  194. Suriname—Boy Scouts van Suriname, 1924
  195. Swaziland—Swaziland Scout Association, 1928
  196. Sweden—Svenska Scoutrĺdet (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
  197. Sweden—Svenska Scoutförbundet/SSF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  198. Sweden—Frälsningsarméns Scoutförbund/FA (Salvation Army Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  199. Sweden—Svenska Missionsförbundets Ungdoms Scoutverksamhet/SMU-Scout (Swedish Covenant Youth Scout Organization)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  200. Sweden—Nykterhetsrörelsens Scoutförbund (Temperance Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  201. Sweden—KFUK-KFUMs Scoutförbund (YWCA-YMCA Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
  202. Switzerland—Pfadibewegung Schweiz [German]/Mouvement Scout de Suisse [French]/Movimento Scaut Svizzero [Italian] (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
  203. Syria—Scouts of Syria, 2008
  204. Taiwan—Scouts of China, 1912
  205. Tajikistan—Ittihodi Scouthoi Tochikiston/Associatsia Skautov Tadjikistana, 1991
  206. Tanzania—Tanzania Scouts Association, 1929
  207. Thailand—The National Scout Organization of Thailand, 1911
  208. Togo—Association Scoute du Togo, 1920
  209. Trinidad and Tobago—The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago, 1911
  210. Tunisia—Scouts Tunisiens (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1934
  211. Turkey—Türkiye Izcilik Federasyonu (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1923
  212. Uganda—The Uganda Scouts Association, 1915
  213. Ukraine—National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine, 1908
  214. United Arab Emirates—Emirates Scout Association, 1972
  215. United Kingdom—The Scout Association, 1907
  216. United States—Boy Scouts of America, 1909
  217. Uruguay—Movimiento Scout del Uruguay, 1946
  218. Venezuela—Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela, 1913
  219. Yemen—Yemen Scout Association, 1954
  220. Zambia—Zambia Scouts Association, 1930
  221. Zimbabwe—The Boy Scouts Association of Zimbabwe, 1909

WOSM Scouting in Other Countries

The only countries with no WOSM Scouting are Andorra, Cuba, North Korea, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma). A sixth country, China (People's Republic), does not have Scouting except in the former colonies of Hong Kong and Macau.

Countries Where Scouting is a Branch of Another Country's Association:
Antigua and Barbuda—branch of UK Scouting
Marshall Islands—branch of US Scouting (Aloha Council)
Micronesia—branch of US Scouting (Aloha Council)
Saint Kitts and Nevis—branch of UK Scouting
Solomon Islands—branch of UK Scouting
Tonga—branch of UK Scouting
Tuvalu—branch of UK Scouting
Vanuatu—branch of UK Scouting (also some Scouts affiliated with Scouts de France)

WOSM Associate Members
In addition, there is the Association des Scouts du Canada, listed in the main listings above, which is a WOSM "affiliated organization". They are affiliated with Scouts Canada, but their program is more like that of Scouts de France.
China / Macau—The Scout Association of Macau (associate member of the Asia-Pacific Scout Region)
French Polynesia—Conseil du Scoutisme polynésien (Polynesian Scout Council)/CSP (associate member of the Asia-Pacific Scout Region; umbrella group representing six other Scouting programs:
—Scouts et Guides de Polynésie française/SGPF (sub-association of CSP; Catholic; program of French SGdF)
—Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses Unionistes de Polynésie française/EEUPF (sub-association of CSP; Protestant; program of French EEUF)
—Association des Scouts Liahona-SDJ/ADSL-SDJ (sub-association of CSP; Mormon)
—Scouts Adventiste de Polynésie française (sub-association of CSP; Seventh-day Adventist
—Scouts Sanito (sub-association of CSP; Sanito Church)
—Scouts Te ahi nui (sub-association of CSP; Pentecostal)
Netherlands Antilles [a constitutionally equal dependency of the Netherlands]—Scouting Antiano (Antillean Scouting) (associate member of the Inter-American Scout Region)

Countries Where Scouting Exists
In these countries, there is no recognized WOSM national association, but there is Scouting in some form, presumably working toward WOSM recognition.

Afghanistan
Belarus
Cambodia
Central African Republic
Congo
Djibouti
East Timor
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Guinea-Bissau
Iran
Iraq
Kyrgyzstan
Mali
Nauru
Palau
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Somalia
Syrian Arab Republic
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

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Last Revision to This Page: 16 January 2009
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