Prime Ministers visit the Jamboree

During the last day of the World Scout Jamboree the camp was visited by no less than three heads of government; the Swedish, Danish and Finnish Prime Ministers took a tour of the camp, talked to participants and talked about how the Jamboree is a shining example in times of need.

“We are happy to visit the World Scout Jamboree,” said Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, “and to hear the young people tell us about how they learn from different cultures and make friendships that may last a lifetime.”

After a tour of the camp site, Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that “Scouting is among the finest thing you can do. It combines knowing things yourself with cooperation. You can be a great map reader, or know lots of knots, but if you can’t cooperate in your patrol, then you don’t know anything.”

Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen also talked about using his Scouting experiences during his political work. He saw more than personal gain for the young people engaged in Scouting. “We came here to encourage young people to take an active part in society. What they do here is good for themselves, but also good for society. Young people show responsibility for themselves and for others.”

All three Ministers touched upon the theme of social responsibility. “What’s happening here is important, as it tells us something about how the world is tied together,” said Fredrik Reinfeldt. “This is always important, but it is even more important when what happened in Norway marks and saddens us, that we look towards what we ought to do, towards the future.”

Judging from the remarks made by all three it seems that regardless of weather, the ministers were taken by storm by the participants and the organisation.

Watch a short interview with the Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen

There are also two short interviews with Fredrik Reinfeldt and Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Text: Wilhelm Tunemyr
Photo: Magnus Fröderberg/Scouterna