The Five World Centres

Each World Centre has been designed and built to provide spaces where girls and young women from all around the globe, may come together in friendship and fellowship with each other. These Centres facilitate programmes for sharing cultural experiences and broaden leadership and life skills​.

Our Chalet is nestled in the beautiful Alpine resort of Adelboden, Switzerland. It is said to be surrounded by 'chocolate box' views of picturesque mountains and the bustling town centre.

This great space was the first WAGGGS World Centre. Today, some eighty-one years later, the dream, of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, to strenghthen bonds of international friendship and to gain understanding of each other's land and culture, continues at this awe-inspiring facility.  Read more

The British are well known for their upkeep of tradition and Pax Lodge certainly expresses that value with its International nights at which guests are given the opportunity to share songs, games and experiences from their own cultures; Flag raising ceremony and the reading of daily reflections are still practiced as it was at Our Ark and Olave House.

In March 1991, Pax Lodge was officially opened by H.R.H. The Princess Benedikte of Denmark. The centre offers scheduled programmes and events throughout the year. Read more

Amidst exotic tropical gardens and spectacular mountainous terrain, you will find Our Cabaña, the third World Centre built as a home away from home. The Chief's Door of Our Cabaña was officially opened in June 1957 and has welcomed thousands of girls and adults from all around the world.

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​Surrounding the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, home of Our Cabaña you will find two of the most beautiful snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. Our Cabaña is one of those special places where rich history and culture abounds and where friendships can begin and flourish. Read more

The name, Sangam is derived from the ancient language of Sanskrit and means "coming together". This certainly appeals to the notion that this Centre is an ideal place for Girl Guides to expand their cross-cultural understanding and awareness in a beautiful and serene international setting.​

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World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell, officially opened the newest of the World Centres - Sangam, on the 16th October 1966. In her speech, she compared Sangam to a powerhouse generating light and the power of love.

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Sangam is set in over seven acres of lush grounds on the banks of the Mula River in the modern city of Pune. Pune's reputation for educational excellence has earned it the description "the Oxford of India". Read more

In October 2015, the 'Fifth' World Centre was given its new name, Kusafiri World Centre. Kusafiri means 'to journey' in Swahili.

 

To date there are seven (7) member organisations participating in the fund and leadership development programmes of WAGGGS:

• Ghana

• South Africa

• Rwanda

• Kenya

• Nigeria

• Benin

• Madagascar

Read more

Logos, Links and Content are by permission of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

All references:  The WAGGGS Website,   and  The Publication, The 4 World Centres The Story of Four World Centres