Celebrating World Thinking Day

On February 22nd each year, the World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides celebrates World Thinking Day, a day celebrated around the world and based on a tradition that goes back to 1926 and promotes a different theme each year. This date was chosen because it is the joint birthday of Lord Baden Powell, who founded the Boy Scout movement, and Olave Baden Powell, who was World Chief Guide.

World Thinking Day is more than just a day on the calendar; It can be an opportunity for young people around the world to think about global issues, such as poverty, war, and environmental challenges that peers in other countries may be experiencing. As Olave Baden Powell and Mary Drewery wrote:

“Though you cannot visit sister Guides in France or Finland, in Austria or Australia, in Italy or Iceland, Canada or Chile, Ghana or Guatemala, USA, or U.A.R., you can reach out to them there in your MIND. And in this unseen, spiritual way, you can give them your uplifting sympathy and friendship. Thus do we Guides, of all kinds and of all ages and of all nations, go with the highest and the best towards the spreading of true peace and goodwill on earth.”

Celebrations of World Thinking Day often involve educational activities, cultural exchanges, and acting on community service projects to transform the world, one community at a time. Participants might earn a badge based on the global theme of that particular year. 

For 2024, the theme of World Thinking Day is “Our World, Our Thriving Future: The Environment and Global Poverty.” Through specific activities, youth members are encouraged to think critically about how they can drive positive change in their communities. To understand this holiday, learning more about World Thinking Day and its greater meaning may be helpful. 

The history of World Thinking Day

In 1926, the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides came together in the United States to create a day acknowledging their global community and its common values. This occasion was initially named Thinking Day and chosen to coincide with February 22nd, the same-day birthday of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, founders of the Scouting and Guiding movements. 

The celebration, led by the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts evolved and grew bigger over time. At the 1932 conference, a Belgian delegate pointed out that birthdays typically involved gifts, and perhaps girls could raise funds for Thinking Day. In response, Baden-Powell wrote a letter to all Guides and Girl Scouts and asked them to donate a penny to the organization, which became the World Thinking Day Fund.

Discussing global issues with Girl Scouts and Guides

World Thinking Day offers young women a platform to identify pressing global challenges. On this day, the discussion revolves around themes like global poverty, the importance of universal healthcare, and guaranteeing clean water for all. World Thinking Day has also become a global movement synonymous with spreading kindness and promoting equal rights. 

Girl Guides and Girl Scouts recommend celebrating World Thinking Day with various activities. Young women might participate in various activities and conversations that focus on:

• Ensuring cleaner environments for future generations

• Advocating for education for all children, especially girls

• Striving toward hunger eradication so no one faces malnourishment

• Creating solutions and strategies for a peaceful future

• Advocating for clean water availability for everyone

• Striving for equal rights across all demographics

• Ensuring healthcare is available to all people

Through World Thinking Day, those involved in girl scouting and girl guiding can bring together their friends and families to learn more about the lives of others across the globe. As a result, this day may help promote sustainable, positive change.

Celebrate World Thinking Day: Theme for 2024

World Thinking Day in 2024 revolves around the theme "Our World, Our Thriving Future," focusing on environmental concerns and the persistent issue of global poverty. Various activities highlight these critical areas and advocate for an equal future. 

One such activity includes learning about the "Trees of Peace" initiative, which focuses on the importance of forestry and conservation. Through this activity, participants can see how planting trees helped improve life for people in Kenya. It’s a valuable example showing that caring for forests can make a difference for humanity and the environment. 

In another activity, individuals can learn about composting and recycling, followed by an interactive game reinforcing the importance of these processes. The game involves sorting items like food scraps and recyclables into the correct bins, helping everyone understand what belongs in compost and what can be recycled. This hands-on experience can make learning about waste management fun and memorable.

Participants can also complete an activity for World Thinking Day that educates them about equal pay and its meaning in reducing economic disparities. These hands-on experiences can teach individuals about social and environmental challenges while allowing them to commit to taking action. Each activity is a stepping stone toward building a thriving future by spreading awareness and finding solutions. The Tree of Peace activity and others combine learning with action while supporting global connection and individual responsibility.

Earning the award for World Thinking Day

Earning the World Thinking Day award involves a series of steps based on rules outlined by the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Young women and girls typically go through a learning experience that aligns with the values and traditions of the movement, including the following: 

• Discover the significance of World Thinking Day: The experience starts by learning about what World Thinking Day represents for girl scouts and women worldwide and its importance to the global community of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. You can learn more about this day whether you’re a girl scout or not. 

• Participate in World Thinking Day actively: Participants are encouraged to join activities that reflect the ethos of World Thinking Day and find a sense of purpose in them.

• Uncover this year's theme: Each year, a central theme or idea drives the narrative of World Thinking Day. Through actions that promote the theme, individuals can deepen their commitment to tackling global issues that could affect their international sisterhood.

• Convey and apply the knowledge gained: The final step is to communicate their learning and insights, with a pledge to take meaningful action that contributes toward a positive change.

Achieving the award can show a Girl Scout's dedication to the core principles of World Thinking Day, which include cultural diversity, global citizenship, and the empowerment of young women to become proactive leaders in their communities.

How to talk about this day with friends and family

Girl Scouts can discuss World Thinking Day with friends and family by spreading their personal experiences. If they have participated in an event or connected with someone from a different culture, they can tell those stories. Spreading what they've learned about the World Thinking Day theme can help start conversations and offer insight into global issues.

Organize an event or send a message

Organizing a Thinking Day event is another potential way to involve friends and family. A family member might assist in planning and carrying out a gathering that highlights environmental conservation through food, music, or presentations. Inviting a guest speaker with expertise in specific global matters like poverty can lead to discussions and potential actions that can be taken locally to address these issues.

Designing a message is another approach for those who prefer a creative outlet. Whether through a poster, video, or skit, participants can discuss their message at school, on social media, or in community centers to amplify their voices. These conversations about the problems they’re exploring and the potential solutions can promote critical thinking and a proactive attitude among peers and family members.

Lastly, planning and completing specific projects or activities with the help of others can shift the focus from talk to action. Participants can outline the global issue and brainstorm solutions. Once a project is in motion, it may be a point of pride to know they’re contributing to a better world alongside their global Girl Scout and Girl Guide community.