The „Scouts of Romania” organization recently launched the North Compass project, an activity program for middle and high school students. Within the project, local groups of students can register, free of charge, to participate in non-formal education activities that develop critical thinking, spatial orientation, and outdoor activities.
Approximately 45 participants from non-governmental organizations, faculty, librarians, and authorities attended the program launch event: Lelia-Andreea Preoteasa, Senior Advisor, General Directorate for Youth Policies and Programs – Directorate for Youth within
Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity (MMFTSS), Mihaela Gîrleanu, Executive Director of the Romanian Scouts, Robert Alexandru Avram - Educational Programs Assistant, UNICEF Romania, Andrei Avram - President of the National Organization of Romanian Scouts, Anca-Ana Sampetrean - Manager
Project Compass North and Paul Dumitru Dîrjan - program facilitator in the community
Râciu, Mureș County.
UNICEF Study – Only 8–9% of students met the minimum threshold of
digital literacy Robert Avram of UNICEF Romania emphasized that young people’s mere familiarity with technology does not automatically mean they are capable of using it responsibly or critically. Drawing on a study involving over 12,000 participants, he pointed out that only 8–9% percent of students have reached the threshold
basic digital literacy (such as the ability to distinguish between fake news and real news), and only about 11% demonstrated advanced digital skills. Given that AI provides information instantly, he pointed out that quick access to answers does not foster critical thinking
Criticism, essential competence for young people.
Lelia Preoteasa highlighted the importance and relevance of the topic addressed during the conference, emphasizing that it is a challenge present in everyday life. From the perspective of the Youth Directorate, she stressed the need for integrated training for young people, combining formal and non-formal education. In a time when artificial intelligence can provide instant information, the focus must be on developing those skills that technology cannot replace, such as emotional balance, critical thinking, leadership, and character development. At the same time, she highlighted the importance of digital skills and
education for life, as essential elements in the development of new generations.
According to the organizers, scouting is often associated with nature, adventures, and outdoor activities, but this doesn't mean technology doesn't have its place in scouts' lives. On the contrary, technology has become a useful tool that complements educational experiences and helps young people learn and discover.
the world in a modern and interactive way.
The president of the organization also spoke about the relationship between scouting and technology, emphasizing the importance of using it in a balanced way: „I can't imagine scouting without technology. On the contrary, scouts use technology for everything they do. We will never take away scouts” phones, because we consider them extraordinarily useful tools. Indeed, there are situations in certain camps where we face a lack of signal, but this way we end up disconnecting from the excessive use of technology without practical purpose, known as doomscrolling.„ He also explained that he realizes a scouting event is truly successful ”when children and young people don't feel like being on their phones." In his opinion, this demonstrates that the program proposed by scouts is relevant, current, and adapted to the needs of today's youth, offering them interesting activities and diverse development opportunities. Often, boredom is what makes young people spend more and more time on their phones.,
However, scouting experiences manage to actively involve them and naturally capture their attention.
Launch of the „North Star” Program In response to the challenges brought by the digital age and the accelerated development of artificial intelligence, the Romanian Scouts propose an approach based on active participation, courage, responsibility, and mutual support. The North Star program aims to support local communities with a comprehensive set of educational activities throughout the year, dedicated to middle and high school students. Through North Star, young people are invited to learn through experience, with the necessary materials for activities, dedicated mentoring, and constant support for the harmonious development of local groups.
Busola Nord creates real-life contexts where participants develop courage, initiative, teamwork, and leadership skills. At the end of the first year, eager groups will be able to officially become part of the scouting movement. Details about the program and registration are available on the Busola Nord website.
https://busolanord.ro/.
This project is made possible by the Ticket to Life initiative, with the support of the World Scout Foundation and World Scouting.
About ONCR
The National Organization „Scouts of Romania” (www.scout.ro) is one of the largest youth non-governmental organizations in Romania, with over 6700 members in 79 local groups (branches) spread across the country. Based on the same goal – creating a better world – each scout group plans its activities according to local specifics and the interests and skills of its members, gets involved in the local community, and contributes to the development of young people as active and responsible citizens. Scouting is an engaging educational program for thousands of children and young people in Romania and around the globe. Scout education develops strong characters and builds sustainable, trustworthy communities. Currently, in
In Romania, over 5,300 children and young people, aged between 7 and 24, from all over the country benefit from this complex training and development program, with the support of 1,600 adult volunteers. The National Organization „The Scouts of Romania” is a full member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (www.scout.org) and is the only one in the country recognized as such. The world organization currently numbers over 57 million active members in 224 countries and territories, being the largest youth movement in the world.