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For many girls in Ireland, joining the Irish Girl Guides is also the beginning of an exciting journey globally. Through membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Irish Girl Guides gain access to a wide range of international Guiding opportunities that connect them with girls and young women around the world.
A global Movement for girls and young women
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world. Today, it brings together more than 10.8 million members across 153 countries.
Ireland has been part of this global network since 1932, creating a strong link between Irish Guiding and the international movement. Through the Council of Irish Guiding Associations (CIGA), which represents both the Irish Girl Guides and the Catholic Guides of Ireland, girls in Ireland are connected to a worldwide sisterhood.
Learning through a global non-formal education programme
One of the key strengths of the Guiding movement is its non-formal education programme. The programme offered by the Irish Girl Guides is closely linked with the international programme developed by WAGGGS. Girls learn by doing. Activities encourage them to develop practical life skills, leadership abilities, teamwork, and confidence.
Across the five WAGGGS regions (Africa, Arab, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere) programmes focus on empowering girls to become active citizens who can create positive change in their communities and the wider world. These shared programmes help ensure that girls everywhere in Guiding are connected through common values and experiences.
Exploring International Guiding Opportunities
Our members can take part in many international experiences including seminars, leadership events, Camps, and cultural exchanges organised by WAGGGS. One of the most exciting aspects is the chance to visit the five WAGGGS World Centres.
The World Centres include:
– Our Chalet in Switzerland
– Sangam World Centre in India
– Pax Lodge in the United Kingdom
– Our Cabaña in Mexico
– Kusafiri World Centre, which travels across Africa
At these centres, girls participate in international workshops, outdoor adventures, and leadership programmes.
International Camps: where global friendships begin
International Camps are often the highlight of the Guiding experience. They bring together girls from many countries to share activities, traditions, and stories.
Ireland has its own proud history of hosting international events. In 1932, during the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, the Movement organised its first International Camp in Phoenix Park, welcoming Guides from across the globe. More recently, Ireland hosted Orbit 2025, an international Camp organised by the Irish Girl Guides.
Events like this create incredible opportunities for girls to meet Guides from other countries, learn about different cultures, and experience the true spirit of the global Guiding movement. For many participants, these Camps are also where lifelong friendships begin.
WAGGGS Leadership development opportunities
Beyond Camps and exchanges, members of the Irish Girl Guides also have access to a small number of prestigious leadership development opportunities through the WAGGGS. Each year, only a limited number of places are available, which makes these experiences highly competitive and especially meaningful.
In recent years, our members have been selected to take part and have brought their learning and experiences back to their local Units.
These opportunities include programmes such as the Helen Storrow Seminar at Our Chalet in Switzerland, which focuses on environmental leadership, and the Juliette Low Seminar, a global programme for young women aged 18-30 that develops leadership skills and promotes peacebuilding. Another key opportunity is The Academy, a European event that brings together young people to strengthen skills in leadership, advocacy, and youth programme development through practical learning and international networking.
Celebrating global friendship on World Thinking Day
Every year on 22 February, millions of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day. This special day brings together members across borders and generations to celebrate the global Guiding community.
Each year, our members take part in activities from the World Thinking Day activity pack created by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The activity pack includes fun and engaging challenges such as:
– Friendship Scavenger Hunt
– International Bonds: Mapping Our Connections
– Friendship Rainbow
– Human Knots
– Language of Friendship
As part of the celebration, members can also connect through WAGGGS’ digital platform, Campfire, where girls and Leaders from different countries share activities, ideas, and stories about friendship and international experiences.
Through these shared experiences, girls in Ireland connect with almost 11 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world while celebrating friendship, global understanding, and the values of Guiding.
Guiding: a world of opportunities
Guiding is much more than a weekly meeting, it is a gateway to the world.
Through the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Irish Girl Guides members have the chance to learn, travel, and collaborate with Guides from all over the world. From international Camps and leadership programmes to global celebrations, Guiding opens doors to experiences that help girls grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, explore new cultures, build friendships across borders, and discover their place in a global community.
And for many, these experiences are just the beginning of a lifelong journey in the international Guiding community.