Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highness,
Excellences,
Dear Baden-Powell Fellows and Friends.

It is a great pleasure to be back again here in Mexico City. The first Foundation Event in Mexico took place in 2013, when I brought a small group of Honours Programme Members to learn about Mexican Scouting.

And now we are here again, with a full Baden-Powell Fellowship Event to celebrate a changed and improved Mexican Scout Organisation. But, ladies and gentlemen: We are also here to celebrate you, and your tireless commitment to Scouting. As Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, I want to thank you all for your investment in Scouting. You are indeed changing the world.

Today, there are over 50 million Scouts in 1,5 million local Scout groups around the world. They are locally led, locally funded – but their impact is global.

Over the 110-year history of Scouting, these groups have become essential learning ‘playgrounds’ for millions of young women and men. A place for young people to develop: physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually. A place to generate leaders!

During this week I have learnt about the successes of Scouting in Mexico. The reports are truly heart-warming. In the autumn of 2017, this beautiful country was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes. The response of the Mexican Scouts was exemplary. Yes, these young men and women truly set an example; not only for their peers, but also for their elders. For us!

Seeing the fantastic work done by local Scout Groups in this region, I am inspired to do more. To engage further. To provide more young people with the opportunity to develop as leaders.

Dear Baden-Powell Fellows and Friends; I hope you will join me!

Thank you.