JLS, the beginning of a beautiful journey

The Juliette Low Seminar (JLS) is the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts' leadership development flagship program for young women. It provides wonderful opportunities for young women to develop their leadership skills in a creative and supportive environment, and a way to learn and share experiences with other young women in a cross cultural context.

This year’s JLS themed, "Transforming Our World" was hosted by the Ghana Girl Guides Association and brought up to 68 participants representing 50 countries across the globe.

Diane Muhawenimana and Nadia Lorraine Niyonsaba attended the event as Rwanda Girl Guides delegates.

The participants through different topics discussing, exchanging and learning from each other, with the most vibrant WAGGGS facilitators. They were also honored by the visit of Anita Mideros Gadea from Peru, world board member who is working on the WAGGGS leadership offer and Anita TIESSEN, WAGGGS Chief Executive.

The good thing about international events like JLS is that they create unforgettable moments, provide meaningful and unforgettable experiences that Lorraine name ". Lorraine describes as genuine and enriching. “The world rotates change and I learnt to be flexible with change, responding to it and organizing change in response to some problems faced by the community or even herself”, Lorraine reiterates.

The most memorable part about traveling to Ghana to both participants was that it was the first time for them to fly, alone outside Rwanda. "I realized I can be more responsible and autonomous, that was a beautiful discovery!" Diane recalls.

Lorraine emphasizes JLS reinforced the knowledge she had on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. “My biggest take from the seminar is that I must thrive for the SDGs no matter how small or big I am involved, It's my call as a girl guide.”

Diane and Lorraine are now implementing their post JLS project fuelled by the experiences and skills acquired. Entitled “Yes, She Leads”, this plan will boost the girls’ leadership capacity starting by the very basic skills.

The target is to reach more than 500 young leaders between 18–30 years old, and all activities will be carried through debates, book workshops, speech writing, mentorship and coaching. “At the end of this journey the girls will be able to speak with eloquence in the public, lead and animate troops, and able to transfer competences to their peers,” Lorraine states.

The JLS is one of WAGGGS most popular seminars and Rwanda Girl Guides have always been among the attendees. The 2016 JLS was hosted in Ghana as a Kusafiri World Centre event. Kusafiri was established in 2010 to bring a World Centre experience to Africa.