HOME—International Scouting—Scouting Organizations—WOSM

World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

Organisation Mondiale du Mouvement Scout (OMMS)

(225 member associations in 168 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 204 national Scout associations in WOSM plus another 21 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 160 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 (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) 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—Associação 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—Azerbaycan Skautlar 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. Belarus—Belarusian Republic Scout Association, 2010
14. Belgium—De Gidsen- en Scoutsbeweging in België (Flemish)/Le Guidisme et Scoutisme en Belgique (French) (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
15. Belgium—Federatie voor Open Scoutisme/FOS Open Scouting (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
16. Belgium—Les Scouts (WOSM sub-association)
17. Belgium—Scouts et Guides Pluralistes de Belgique/SGP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
18. Belgium—Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen/SGV-BE (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
19. Belize—The Scout Association of Belize, 1911
20. Benin—Scoutisme Béninois, 1932
21. Bhutan—Bhutan Scout Tshogpa, 1991
22. Bolivia—Asociación de Scouts de Bolivia, 1915
23. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Council of Scout Associations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (umbrella federation), 1999
24. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Scout Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Hezergovina (sub-association)
25. Bosnia and Herzegovina—The Scout Association of Republica Srpska (sub-association)
26. Botswana—The Botswana Scouts Association, 1936
27. Brazil—União dos Escoteiros do Brasil, 1910
28. Brunei—Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam (Brunei Darussalam National Scout Association), 1933
29. Bulgaria—Organizatsia Na Bulgarskite Skauty/OBS, 1911-1913
30. Burkina Faso—Fédération Burkinabé du Scoutisme (WOSM umbrella federation), 1943
31. Burkina Faso—Les Scouts du Burkina Faso (WOSM sub-association)
32. Burkina Faso—Les Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses du Burkina Faso (WOSM sub-association)
33. Burundi—Association des Scouts du Burundi, 1940
34. Cambodia—National Association of Cambodian Scouts, 2008
35. Cameroon—Les Scouts du Cameroun/Boy Scouts of Cameroon
36. Canada—Scouts Canada, 1909
37. Canada—Association des Scouts du Canada (WOSM "affiliated organization")
38. Cape Verde—Associação dos Escuteiros de Cabo Verde/AECV, 2002
39. Chad—Fédération du Scoutisme Tchadien (umbrella federation), 1960
40. Chad—Eclaireurs du Tchad (sub-association)
41. Chad—Scouts du Tchad (sub-association)
42. Chile—Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Chile (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1909
43. China / Hong Kong—The Scout Association of Hong Kong, 1911
44. Colombia—Asociación Scouts de Colombia, 1917
45. Comoros—Wezombeli (Association Nationale du Scoutisme Comorien), 1975
46. Congo (Democratic Republic; formerly Zaire)—Fédération des Scouts de la République Démocratique du Congo, 1924
47. Costa Rica—Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1915
48. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Fédération Ivoirienne du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1937
49. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Eclaireurs Laïcs de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
50. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Eclaireurs Unionistes de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
51. Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)—Les Scouts Catholiques de Côte d'Ivoire (sub-association)
52. Croatia—Savez Izvidaca Hrvatske (The Scout Association of Croatia), 1915
53. Cyprus—Cyprus Scouts Association, 1913
54. Czech Republic—Junák-Svaz Skautu a Skautek [Association of Scouts and Guides] (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1911
55. Denmark—Faellesrådet for Danmarks Drengespejdere (WOSM umbrella federation), 1909
56. Denmark—Det Danske Spejderkorps/DDS (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
57. Denmark—KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark (WOSM sub-association)
58. Denmark—Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
59. Denmark—Kalaallit Nunaanni Spejderit Kattufiat/Grønlands Spejderkorps (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association/Greenland)
60. Denmark—Meginfelag Föroysku Dreingjaskota (WOSM sub-association/Faroe Islands)
61. Dominica—The Scout Association of Dominica, 1929
62. Dominican Republic—Asociación de Scouts Dominicanos, 1926
63. Ecuador—Asociación de Scouts del Ecuador, 1920
64. Egypt—Egyptian Scout Federation, 1918
65. El Salvador—Asociación de Scouts de El Salvador, 1938
66. Estonia—Eesti Skautide Ühing (Estonian Scout Association), 1912
67. Ethiopia—Ethiopia Scout Association, 1950
68. Fiji—Fiji Scouts Association, 1914
69. Finland—Suomen Partiolaiset—Finlands Scouter ry (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1910
70. France—Fédération du Scoutisme Français (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1910
71. France—Les Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs de France/EEDF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
72. France—Les Scouts et Guides de France/SGdF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
73. France—Les Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs Israélites de France/EEIF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
74. France—Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs Unionistes de France/EEUF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
75. France—Scouts Musulmans de France/SMF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
76. Gabon—Fédération Gabonaise du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1936
77. Gabon—Eclaireuses-Eclaireurs du Gabon (sub-association)
78. Gabon—Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses Unionistes du Gabon (sub-association)
79. Gabon—Scouts et Guides Catholiques du Gabon (sub-association)
80. The Gambia—The Gambia Scout Association, 1921
81. Georgia—Sakartvelos Skauturi Modzraobis Organizatsia (Georgian Organization of the Scout Movement), 1994
82. Germany—Ring Deutscher Pfadfinderverbände (WOSM umbrella federation), 1910
83. Germany—Bund der Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder/BdP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
84. Germany—Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg/DPSG (WOSM sub-association)
85. Germany—Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder/VCP (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
86. Ghana—The Ghana Scout Association, 1912
87. Greece—Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Scout Association of Greece), 1910
88. Grenada—The Scout Association of Grenada, 1924
89. Guatemala—Asociación de Scouts de Guatemala, 1928
90. Guinea—National Scout Association of Guinea, 2005
91. Guyana—The Scout Association of Guyana, 1909
92. Haiti—Scouts d'Haïti, 1932
93. Honduras—Asociación de Scouts de Honduras, 1952
94. Hungary—Magyar Cserkészszövetség, 1912
95. Iceland—Bandalag Islenskra Skáta (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
96. India—The Bharat Scouts and Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1909
97. Indonesia—Gerakan Pramuka (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
98. Ireland—Scouting Ireland, 1908 (current organization is 2004 merger of SAI & CSI)
99. Israel—Hitachdut Hatsofim Ve Hatsofot Be Israel (Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation)(WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1920
100. Israel—The Arab School Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
101. Israel—The Druze Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
102. Israel—The Hebrew Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
103. Israel—The Israel Catholic Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
104. Israel—The Israeli Arab Scouts Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
105. Israel—The Orthodox Scout Association (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
106. Israel / Palestinian Authority—Palestinian Scout Association, 1912
107. Italy—Federazione Italiana dello Scautismo/FIS (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1912
108. Italy—Associazione Guide e Scout Cattolici Italiani/AGESCI (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
109. Italy—Corpo Nazionale Giovani Esploratori ed Esploratrici Italiani/CNGEI (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
110. Jamaica—The Scout Association of Jamaica, 1910
111. Japan—Scout Association of Japan, 1913
112. Jordan—Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1954
113. Kazakhstan—Organization of the Scout Movement of Kazakhstan/OSMK, 1992
114. Kenya—Kenya Scouts Association, 1910
115. Kiribati—Kiribati Scout Association, 1993
116. Korea, South—Korea Scout Association, 1922
117. Kuwait—Kuwait Boy Scouts Association, 1952
118. Latvia—Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrala Organizacija (The Scout and Guide Central Organization of Latvia)(WOSM+WAGGGS), 1917
119. Lebanon—Fédération du Scoutisme Libanais (WOSM umbrella federation), 1912
120. Lebanon—Scouts de l'Indépendence/Independence Scouts (WOSM sub-association)
121. Lesotho—Lesotho Scouts Association, 1936
122. Liberia—Boy Scouts of Liberia, 1922
123. Libya—Public Scout and Girl Guide Movement (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1954
124. Liechtenstein—Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtensteins (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1931
125. Lithuania—Lietuvos Skautija (Lithuanian Scouting), 1918
126. Luxembourg—Le Scoutisme et Guidisme au Luxembourg (WOSM umbrella federation), 1914
127. Luxembourg—Fédération Nationale des Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses du Luxembourg/FNEL (WOSM sub-association)
128. Luxembourg—Letzebürger Guiden a Scouten/LGS (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
129. Macedonia—Sojuz na Izvidnici na Makedonija (The Scout Association of Macedonia), 1921
130. Madagascar—Firaisan'ny Skotisma Eto Madagasikara (Scout Federation of Madagascar)(WOSM umbrella federation), 1921
131. Madagascar—Kiadin'i Madagasikara (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
132. Madagascar—Antilin'i Madagasikara (WOSM sub-association)
133. Madagascar—Tily Eto Madagasikara (WOSM sub-association)
134. Malawi—Scout Association of Malawi, 2005
135. Malaysia—Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia (The Scout Association of Malaysia), 1911
136. Maldives—The Scout Association of Maldives, 1963
137. Malta—The Scout Association of Malta, 1908
138. Mauritania—Association des Scouts et Guides de Mauritanie (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1946
139. Mauritius—The Mauritius Scout Association, 1912
140. Mexico—Asociación de Scouts de México, 1920
141. Moldova—Organizatia Nationala A Scoutilor Din Moldova (The National Scout Organization of Moldova), 1991
142. Monaco—Association des Guides et Scouts de Monaco (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1990
143. Mongolia—Mongoliyn Skautiyn Holboo (The Scout Association of Mongolia), 1992
144. Montenegro—Association of Scouts of Montenegro, 2008
145. Morocco—Fédération Nationale du Scoutisme Marocain (WOSM umbrella federation), 1933
146. Morocco—Organisation du Scout Marocain (WOSM sub-association)
147. Morocco—Scoutisme Hassania Marocain (WOSM sub-association)
148. Morocco—Organisation Marocaine des Scouts et des Guides (WOSM sub-association)
149. Mozambique—Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique, 1960
150. Namibia—Scouts of Namibia, 1917
151. Nepal—Nepal Scouts (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1952
152. Netherlands—Scouting Nederland (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1910
153. New Zealand—SCOUTS New Zealand, 1908
154. Nicaragua—Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua, 1937
155. Niger—Association des Scouts du Niger, 1947
156. Nigeria—Boy Scouts of Nigeria, 1915
157. Norway—Speidernes Fellesorganisasjon (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
158. Norway—Norges Speiderforbund (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
159. Norway—Norges KFUK-KFUM-speidere (YWCA-YMCA Scouts & Guides of Norway)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
160. Oman—The National Organisation for Scouts and Guides (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1948
161. Pakistan—Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, 1947
162. Panama—Asociación Nacional de Scouts de Panamá, 1924
163. Papua New Guinea—The Scout Association of Papua New Guinea, 1926
164. Paraguay—Asociación de Scouts del Paraguay, 1960
165. Peru—Asociación de Scouts del Perú, 1916
166. Philippines—Boy Scouts of the Philippines, 1923
167. Poland—Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego/ZHP (The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS), 1919
168. Portugal—Federação Escutista de Portugal (umbrella federation), 1913
169. Portugal—Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal/AEP (sub-association)
170. Portugal—Corpo Nacional de Escutas/CNE (sub-association)
171. Qatar—The Scout and Guide Association of Qatar (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1956
172. Romania—Organizatia Nationala Cercetasii României The National Scout Organization of Romania), 1914
173. Russia—Russian Association of Scouts/Navigators/RAS/N, 1909
174. Rwanda—Association des Scouts du Rwanda, 1940
175. Saint Lucia—The Saint Lucia Scout Association, 1935
176. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—The Scout Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1924
177. San Marino—Associazione Guide e Esploratori Cattolici Sanmarinesi (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1973
178. Saudi Arabia—Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association, 1961
179. Senegal—Confédération Sénégalaise du Scoutisme (umbrella federation), 1930
180. Senegal—Eclaireurs du Sénégal (sub-association)
181. Senegal—Les Scouts du Sénégal (sub-association)
182. Serbia—Savez Izvidjaca Srbije (Scout Association of Serbia), 1911
183. Seychelles—Seychelles Scout Association, 2002
184. Sierra Leone—Sierra Leone Scouts Association, 1909
185. Singapore—The Singapore Scout Association, 1910
186. Slovakia—Slovenský Skauting (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1913
187. Slovenia—Zveza Tabornikov Slovenije (Scout Association of Slovenia), 1915
188. South Africa—South African Scout Association, 1908
189. Spain—Federación de Escultismo en España/FEE (umbrella federation), 1912
190. Spain—Asociación de Scouts de España/ASDE (sub-association)
191. Spain—Movimiento Scout Católico/MSC (Catholic Scout Movement)(sub-association)
192. Spain—Federació Catalana d'Escoltisme i Guiatge/FCEG (Catalonian Federation of Scouts and Guides)(WOSM sub-association+WAGGGS umbrella sub-federation)
193. Spain—Acciò Escolta de Catalunya (sub-association of FCEG)
194. Spain—Escoltes Catalans/EC (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association of FCEG)
195. Spain—Minyons Escoltes/Guies Sant Jordi de Catalunya (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association of FCEG)
196. Sri Lanka—Sri Lanka Scout Association, 1912
197. Sudan—Sudan Boy Scouts Association, 1935
198. Suriname—Boy Scouts van Suriname, 1924
199. Swaziland—Swaziland Scout Association, 1928
200. Sweden—Svenska Scoutrådet (WOSM+WAGGGS umbrella federation), 1911
201. Sweden—Svenska Scoutförbundet/SSF (WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
202. Sweden—Frälsningsarméns Scoutförbund/FA (Salvation Army Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
203. Sweden—Svenska Missionsförbundets Ungdoms Scoutverksamhet/SMU-Scout (Swedish Covenant Youth Scout Organization)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
204. Sweden—Nykterhetsrörelsens Scoutförbund (Temperance Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
205. Sweden—KFUK-KFUMs Scoutförbund (YWCA-YMCA Scout Association)(WOSM+WAGGGS sub-association)
206. Switzerland—Pfadibewegung Schweiz [German]/Mouvement Scout de Suisse [French]/Movimento Scaut Svizzero [Italian] (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1912
207. Syria—Scouts of Syria, 2008
208. Taiwan—Scouts of China, 1912
209. Tajikistan—Ittihodi Scouthoi Tochikiston/Associatsia Skautov Tadjikistana, 1991
210. Tanzania—Tanzania Scouts Association, 1929
211. Thailand—The National Scout Organization of Thailand, 1911
212. Togo—Association Scoute du Togo, 1920
213. Trinidad and Tobago—The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago, 1911
214. Tunisia—Scouts Tunisiens (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1934
215. Turkey—Türkiye Izcilik Federasyonu (WOSM+WAGGGS), 1923
216. Uganda—The Uganda Scouts Association, 1915
217. Ukraine—National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine, 1908
218. United Arab Emirates—Emirates Scout Association, 1972
219. United Kingdom—The Scout Association, 1907
220. United States—Boy Scouts of America, 1909
221. Uruguay—Movimiento Scout del Uruguay, 1946
222. Venezuela—Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela, 1913
223. Yemen—Yemen Scout Association, 1954
224. Zambia—Zambia Scouts Association, 1930
225. 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, Myanmar (Burma), and Vatican City. A seventh country, China (People's Republic), has no Scouting except in the former colonies of Hong Kong and Macau, but has the beginnings of a Scouting program in Shanghai.

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)
Palau—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—Associação de Escoteiros de 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.

Last Revision to This Page: 21 January 2012
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