President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki has assumed the honorary protectorship over the entire scouting movement in Poland and Polish scouting abroad. The ceremony took place on February 22, 2026, at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on the occasion of World Thinking Day. The event was also attended by the head of state's wife, Marta Nawrocka. In his speech, the President emphasized the historical and independence-fighting role of scouting.

President's historic gesture

President Karol Nawrocki assumed the honorary protectorship over the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association and the entire scouting movement operating in the country and among the Polish diaspora.

Ceremony at the Presidential Palace

The ceremony took place on February 22, on World Thinking Day, which in 2026 marks the centenary of the establishment of this holiday.

Emphasis on independence tradition

In his speech, the president indicated that scouting is 'deeply rooted in the Polish independence movement and the current of a sovereign Poland'.

President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki made a symbolic yet significant gesture at the Presidential Palace by assuming the honorary protectorship over the entire Polish scouting movement. The ceremony, which gathered representatives of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP) and other scouting organizations, took place on February 22, 2026, on World Thinking Day. The event was accompanied by the presence of the President's wife, Marta Nawrocka. In his commemorative speech, President Nawrocki emphasized the fundamental importance of scouting for Polish identity and the tradition of fighting for independence. „Harcerstwo wrośnięte jest w nurt niepodległościowy” (Scouting is deeply rooted in the independence movement) — Karol Nawrocki – he stated, giving the entire ceremony a distinct patriotic tone. World Thinking Day was established in 1926 during the 4th World Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to commemorate the shared birthdays of the founder of scouting, Robert Baden-Powell (1857), and his wife Olave (1889). The holiday, celebrated globally, symbolizes the brotherhood and unity of the scouting movement. In Poland, the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, founded in 1918, traces its roots to initiatives before World War I and played a key educational and conspiratorial role, especially during World War II as part of the Gray Ranks. honorary protectorship of the president is mainly ceremonial but constitutes an important political signal recognizing the role of scouting in national life. The tradition of such patronages in Poland has a long history, dating back to the interwar period when presidents, such as Ignacy Mościcki, assumed similar functions for social organizations. Today, it is a gesture reserved for entities of exceptional social, cultural, or historical significance. The head of state's acceptance of the protectorship on the centenary of World Thinking Day highlights both the universal and local dimension of the movement, connecting global scouting ideals with the Polish tradition of independence. The President's decision was met with a positive reception in scouting circles, which see it as an appreciation of their long-standing educational work and service. The scouting movement has experienced various phases in recent decades – from dynamic development to challenges related to adapting educational methods to modern times and maintaining attractiveness for the younger generation. The honorary protectorship may become an impulse for further integration and strengthening of the position of the ZHP and other organizations. The ceremony at the Presidential Palace was therefore not only a commemoration of a historical holiday but also an act of political and symbolic support for one of the oldest and most distinguished youth organizations in Poland.

Mentioned People

  • Karol Nawrocki — President of the Republic of Poland, who assumed the honorary protectorship over the scouting movement.
  • Marta Nawrocka — Wife of President Karol Nawrocki, present at the ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
  • Robert Baden-Powell — Founder of the worldwide scouting movement, born on February 22, 1857.
  • Olave Baden-Powell — Wife of the founder of scouting, born on February 22, 1889, co-founder of the Girl Guide movement.
  • Ignacy Mościcki — President of Poland in the interwar period, who also assumed honorary patronages over organizations.