World Thinking Day happens every 22 February and is a chance for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across the world to think about each other, the worldwide movement they’re part of, and important issues.
In 2024, the theme of World Thinking Day is Our World, Our Thriving Future. It will be a chance to learn about how girls and young women can build a better future where all girls live in an environmentally sustainable world free of poverty.
History
In 1926, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world met in the USA for the 4th World Conference. They decided that there should be a special day each year when Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world think of each other and express their thanks and appreciation for our international movement.
They decided to call it Thinking Day and chose 22 February as the date for Thinking Day because it was the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting Movement, and Olave Baden-Powell, who was the first World Chief Guide.
‘During the twenty-four hours of 22 February, these kindly, generous thoughts are being thrown out into the ether by Guides who care personally about the preaching of love and goodwill in the world, and these thoughts and prayers are concentrated thus as a live force for the developing of friendship and understanding, for which all peoples are longing,’ said Olave Baden-Powell in her autobiography.
‘Though you cannot visit sister Guides in France or Finland, in Austria or Australia, in Italy or Iceland, Canada or Chile, Ghana or Guatemala, U.S.A. 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.’
