Crown Princess Mette-Marit officially opened this year’s Scouting Assembly on Friday in Lillestrøm, honouring young scouts and awarding them for their leadership abilities.
At the opening ceremony, the Crown Princess, who is royal patron of the Norwegian Scout Association, presented the Flame Awards to five young leaders: Trond Anders Nordby from the Hønefoss troop; Marthe Elisabeth Bang Hellum from the Charlottenlund troop; Tordis Drivenes from the 1st Vennesla troop; and Hanne Kristine Lybekk and Regine Skogmo Grøtte, both from the 1st Sandsvær troop.
The Flame Award recognises those who “have shown a burning commitment and have made a great effort for the scouting cause” and motivates them to make a positive difference in their communities, according to the Norwegian Royal Court.
In a speech, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said: “I am sure that if the world consisted of more Scouts, the world would be a better place.”
Of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s attendance, the Norwegian Scouting Association’s Secretary General, Stine Schultz Heireng, said in a statement, “We think it is very nice that HRH the Crown Princess will be with us and present the honorary award Flammen.”
The Norwegian Scouting Association counts 19,000 young people amongst its members, with 400 groups organised throughout the country. Its programme aims to teach young people vital skills and provide a framework as they grow up to become leaders in their own communities.
According to a press release about this year’s assembly, the Norwegian Royal Court wrote: “The Scout movement is well over a hundred years old. Since 1907, leaders have developed young people and let them learn, master and take responsibility. Scouts are found in 200 countries and are the world’s largest children’s and youth movement.”
The Scouting Assembly is held every two years in a different area in Norway, with this year’s ceremony held at the Olavsgaard Hotel in Lillestrøm.
