Meeting New Problems

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 5

Meeting New Problems

David Edge is Director of the Science Studies Unit, Edinburgh University. For 25 years he has been an active member of the Scout Movement, which he considered in a recent 8.8. C. broadcast in the light of tiie report published recently by the Chief Scout’s advance party. He describes the forward-looking aims of the Scout Movement thus:

“Already, the Scout Movement is training boys who will have to live the mature half of their lives in the twentyfirst century. There are already a large number of leaders who understand these dilemmas? stability versus change, authority versus democracy, amateur versus professional: and understand them not as mere academic exercises but in direct personal terms. Their aim is to help achieve a truly compassionate society, and they see Scouting (and Guiding) as a unique medium for this ‘social education.’ Their philosophy has not. evolved because the movement has a faulty ’image,’ or needs a face-lift;’ nor are they merely following the fashionable trend, ’getting with it.’ They are honestly trying to grapple with real problems in the light of simple ideals. They need your help—your sympathy and support They are, after all, only fighting your battles.”