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Guides mark World Thinking day by celebrating the meaningful connections that make for better lives
Ireland, 18/02/2016 – The 12,000 members of Irish Girl Guides (IGG) are joining 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 146 countries across the globe in celebrating the meaningful connections that make for better lives.
‘Connect’ is the theme of this year’s World Thinking Day (22nd February) – a day when Girl Guides across the globe give thanks for the international friendships they enjoy through the Guiding movement and raise money for underprivileged communities in developing countries. Last year IGG raised over €7,500.
IGG members from age five upwards are taking part in activities, games and challenges prepared by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to help them explore the ‘Connect’ theme. By reflecting on how they connect with themselves (what makes them happy and confident), with friends and with Girl Guides throughout the world, it is hoped that Guides will see how they can make a difference in their local communities and in the wider world.
Speaking ahead of World Thinking Day, IGG Chief Commissioner Helen Concannon said: “Making positive connections matters – not only because it helps us to be happy, but also because it enables us to play an important role in society. Connections help us reach our fullest potential and create positive change, which ties in with IGG’s mission of enabling girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
“Encouraging young people to be the best that they can and empowering them to take the lead is at the heart of the Girl Guide movement and the ‘Connect’ resources are helping our members to take action to promote equality and justice locally and globally as well as appreciating the friendships that they enjoy as a result of being a member of the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world.
“We believe girls and young women can be powerful agents of change and that, connected together, we can make the world a better place.”
To find out more about Irish Girl Guides, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or telephone 01-6683898.
ENDS
Contact:
Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Irish Girl Guides
Tel: 085 8570565
Email: communications@irishgirlguides.ie
Notes for editors:
Irish Girl Guides has approximately 12,000 members. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,800 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from age 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Community Action, Cultural Diversity, Disability Awareness, Drug Awareness, Online Surfer, Science Investigator and Global Traveller.
World Thinking Day has been celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide since 1926. It is an opportunity for girls to appreciate the international friendship they find in Guiding, to raise money to help grow and share Guiding with more girls and young women around the world, and join together to take action on global issues.