Polis - The city of Scout

The National Young Explorers Scouts and Italians ( CNGEI ), is the second association scout born in Italy, founded in 1912 by Carlo Colombo, and the oldest still existing, and currently is the third association by number of subscribers.

It is a national organization for physical education, moral and spiritual development of youth is Social Promotion Association, is Moral Authority from 1916, under the patronage of the President of the Republic and the Ministries of Education, Foreign Affairs, of ' Interior and Defense. The Association is part of the Italian Federation of Scouting, and through this the World Scout Movement (OMMS / WOSM) and World Association Guides and Scouts (AMGE / WAGGGS). It is part of Civil Defence and has signed agreements with the Ministry of Environment, the State Forestry Department, FAO, and with a framework agreement with the Ministry of Education, as well as a protocol of collaboration with Legambiente.

Story

The beginning

In January 1912, prof. Dr. Carlo Colombo finished writing the "Articles" which he called his movement "National Corps of Italian Boy scouts" (Boy Scouts of Italy) and "National Union of Italian Giovinette Scouts" (Girl Scouts of Italy) with the intended purpose of 'be an educational tool for all boys and girls Italian. With a group of young Lazio Podistica Society, Columbus made an experiment, which ended in October 1912, the meadows of the "ministry" in Rome: it was a great success and that initiative originated from the CNGEI, officially founded in Rome June 30, 1913. Carlo Colombo had the satisfaction of seeing his creation grow, multiply and get so much honor. The scouts, from the green shirt, spoke in favor of populations affected by the earthquake marsicane and works of service during the First World War. Joining the group from the world of science and culture: just examples of Guglielmo Marconi, who was honorary chairman of the Section of Bologna, Gabriele d'Annunzio, who was adviser to the National Executive Council. Converge in the National Boy Scout majority of Italians, including many of those already members of the Boys Scouts Italian (REI). The young explorers, in homage to the first scout groups, used the lily of the EIR with the inscription "Be prepared" in the title block. On November 10, 1914, the first issue of the journal CNGEI "Be Prepared". This is the first publication of Scouting periodic appearance in Italy as well as the first example of a monthly guys.

In November 1914, was established in Rome by Columbus, the women's section that greeted "Girl Scouts", although the first experiments in Scouting women was conducted since 1913. Assumed leadership of the section of Rome, as chairman, Baroness Mary Ferrero and Rossi (former collaborator of Baden-Powell) as Head of Department and Commissioner. On 29 June 1915 is held for the Constituent Assembly of Rome section of the Italian Scouts Giovinette which marks the official date of birth of the Italian National Giovinette Scouts (UNGEI). He assumed the Presidency of the Princess Anna Maria Borghese de Ferrari. From 5 May 1915 CNGEI was placed under the patronage of the King, the Prime Minister and Minister of War, Navy, Foreign Affairs, the Colonies and Public Education. Moreover, the King allowed the registration to the National Body of Crown Prince Umberto and Princess Giovanna all'UNGEI later and he authorized the example of British scout brothers, to adorn the insignia of the scouts with the real symbol of the royal crown. On 21 December 1916, the Head of State, the proposal of the Minister of Education Hon Francesco Ruffini, erected in CNGEI Moral Authority by Decree lieutenancy, in recognition of his role as educators of youth. These two features are still maintained (of course the patronage belongs to the President of the Republic and the Ministry of Education, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defence). It was a full success of the work of Columbus, so much so that Robert Baden-Powell himself wrote to him (calling him "Chief Scout of Italy") to follow him with the greatest pleasure and interest, and the Duke of Abruzzi, Luigi di Savoia, the great explorer, assumed the presidency of the General Body.

On the other hand, the National Body did not fail to receive expressions of genuine criticism. During the conflict, which saw CNGEI for a period of undeniable Thankfully, there were episodes of rejection. In several cities, the environment was hostile to the national scouts and several episodes were made a sign of serious assaults by young people defined by the columns of the magazine, as "many youths", "sad or drunken criminals". Furthermore, the environments and strict observance of the Catholic press took on tones against virulent Scouting advancing arguments and doctrinal controversies were raised by many Catholics about the link between the National Housing and Freemasonry. The charge was always rejected by Colombo, but apparently found favor with the Italian Masonic Summit for CNGEI. According to a reliable source - as Fabrizio Marinelli says - it is indeed probable "that the Masonic influence was much more important at first, but it went dwindling year after year," although "scout leaders' contact with the Masons are continued until its dissolution. " But the harshest criticism came from the working class and socialist. The lower classes saw the scout organization with suspicion at best as something alien to their culture and their own needs.

Despite this, the CNGEI - UNGEI had reached the peak of its expansion with over 400 sections and subsections, many of which have offices in the colonies or Italian communities abroad as at Constantinople, Tripoli, Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Alexandria 'Egypt, Cairo, Port Said, Marseilles, Smyrna, Tunis, São Paulo and Buenos Aires-Jahu (spontaneously constituted but not recognized by the Headquarters for the lack of official statement of appreciation of the Italian Minister), with a total of members who ranged from twenty to thirty thousand members (a figure never reached), despite the presence dell'ARPI, Ugo Perucci, and the defection from its ranks of the Catholic branch (then minority), with the consequent birth of the Catholic Scautistica Italian (ASCI). In 1916, CNGEI was established in the special class of marine explorers, river and lake, developing the work already undertaken since 1915, forming independent departments and separate from those of common explorers. In CNGEI there is a great experience and tradition of nautical scouts: a first conference in the national character took place in 1917. National Marine camps were held in 1918, 1919, in 1920 and 1922, which was followed by other national meetings. Also important were the exploits of departments river and lake. Among the specialties of marine and river explorers is to remember the "hydro-ski", ie special skaters on the water, which aroused the interest of Baden-Powell. Nell'UNGEI was not provided for the class marine, marine activities were not in fact a feature of the department but an activity. In 1918, the Vice President and Commissioner General of CNGEI, prof. Victor Fiorini, in its report to the National Conference held in Rome, proposed the establishment of the class 'elders', ie the adult scout. The proposed Fiorini, approved by the Supervisory Board, had practical implementation in 1919 with the establishment of the Explorers elders. In 1920 he held the first World Jamboree, hosted the exhibition at Olympia in London. The CNGEI was present with a delegation composed of Carlo Ratti, Bruno Cavalieri Ducati, and three scouts. Representatives of the National Baden-Powell handed the gold medal of merit, that the association had decreed. To coincide with the Jamboree is held the first international conference to discuss the establishment of a permanent International Committee. The CNGEI, who attended the event, was declared and registered as a charter member of the International Conference scout.

In July 1920, the college S. Hugh of Oxford, held the first World Conference of Guiding who was present in Italy with the UNGEI. In 1922, the "Be Prepared" turned into a magazine and a richer and more attractive during the year introduced a section on women's activities dell'UNGEI Chronicle said. In 1924, following the International Conference scout in Paris in 1922 that established the possibility that Scouting women (also called Guiding worldwide) to organize itself with its own rules and procedures, the UNGEI change its name to National Union of Italian Volunteers Giovinette (UNGVI) with an identity, distinct and independent. The Directorate-General came from Rome to Rovereto led by Antonietta Giacomelli as the Commissioner General. In 1924, the magazine began publishing dell'UNGVI "Be Prepared", with drawing in Rovereto.

The Jungle Dumbledore

Between 1927 and 1928 the Fascist regime dissolved the scout associations Italian. On February 10, 1927 by order of the Secretary General of the National Fascist Party, Augusto Turati, the National Union of Italian Volunteers Giovinette was dissolved. On 31 March 1927, after the first fascist police pressure on some sections and a few days before he invaded Headquarters, the General Presidency of the National, prevented the action of the government, ordering the suspension of activities of all sections and departments of CNGEI. Nevertheless, within the National Body, in various locations in Italy, in various ways and to varying degrees, several groups decided to continue practicing for clandestine or disguised, who often came to touch the open rebellion, giving life to the so-called "silent Jungle" (the name given by the clandestine period CNGEI). The information you have about the history of the period of illegal CNGEI, few are practical, logical consequence of the secrecy with which the scouts had to move. The systems chosen to survive, albeit unofficially, can be traced to two positions: on the one hand, an attitude of actual dissolution and termination of activities, the other a continuation of activities in disguise. The main organization of reference CNGEI leaders in the early years of the "silent Jungle" was the "Lupercal," with the subtitle "Rovers of Italy," real "movement" clandestine Scout. The Association was organized in "pagus" (town) of any "Sodales". The motto was "Alere flammam" and the emblem depicted a flame that, gushing from three coals, formed a scout lily. Founded in August of 1927, had regular status, filed with the prefecture of Rome, and was intended to unite the directors, commissioners and heads of units CNGEI, to have them ready at the time of resumption of Scout activities. Being confined to the older (but who had not completed 18 years could be a member aggregate) is not infringed the prohibition law. The statutes of the association was sent to all the cities where they existed, sections or subsections of CNGEI. Joined the Lupercal, too, some scouts dell'ASCI, were also maintained contacts with Hubert S. Martin, director of the International Bureau. In 1929 the authorities of Public Safety, came under suspicion, had triggered an investigation throughout Italy. Were registered the names of all members of the institution and of their news and information were gathered and most members were summoned, questioned and searched. Between 1931 and 1932 the Police imposed by force, the dissolution of the Lupercal. Louis Pirotta, promoter of Lupercal and the future of CNGEI Chief Scout, in 1933 he was warned by the police and expelled from the Administration of Governor of Rome, which from 1928 was Deputy Secretary for offenses against the head of government. After nine months of unemployment following a new investigation ordered by the Ministry of the Interior, was reinstated in service, but lost all seniority and emoluments. Escaped these controls the outdoor activities by young people with their heads with or without a green shirt, but always with the scarf and the belt scout uniform.

In Trieste, the Group rose by hikers Untamed Jesurun, and Pirnetti Viezzoli who worked the fields until 1940, in Turin with Genovese formed the Young Hikers Italian activities that lasted until 1935, in Florence and Borrani Marzanti Group was formed Independent hikers who continued his fields until 1933. Note that these groups had a common abbreviation: GEI. Moreover, the flags of many sections and subsections were entrusted to the preservation of museums as civic Rovereto where Sunday's April 10, 1927 all members of the section were gathered for the last time. Concluded the ceremony, there was a parade through the streets fanfare leading up to the castle to pay homage to the fallen tombstone and deliver, to the Museum management, the flags. The flags, the sections of Bari, Catania and Pesaro, were cut into pieces and have been handed to the most deserving. In Bari the ceremony was held October 20, 1927, the Scouts gathered secretly to cut the national flag in strips that started back between them, each one signed an oath. Scouts participated in Bari for a long time to run races in teams, organized in the province, as a team GEI. Catania was an active scout group clandestine, led by Emanuele Scalici, until 1933, when he died during an excursion in a snow storm on Mount Etna, the young scout Cagni. In Pesaro, however, formed the group called the "Blue Eagles", Rivalta and Perfetti, activities that lasted until 1940. The various leaders and groups of immigrants continued to arrive CNGEI letters of Robert Louis Pirotta and Villetti ("Dad Akela"), which had at that time a function of encouragement and moral guidance. In 1929 he participated in illegal CNGEI 3 Jamboree in Birkenhead, Arrowe Park, in Great Britain. They were part of the quota for the Chief Scout Robert Villetti, the real explorer Paul Savini, assistant commissioner of the section of Bari, and the department head of the section Musatti Caesar of Rome. Even the female branch dell'UNGVI, as in the male line, though for different purposes, continued to live for some years in another form and another name, to make pilgrimages to the fields of the Great War. In 1927 was founded for this purpose a work called "Free Trips to the Fields of War", which until 1930 held the girls still joined voluntarily.

The rebirth of history and today

Only the fall of the Fascist regime in 1943 and later CNGEI the UNGEI could regroup and resume its activities in 1944 in the south and in 1945 released throughout Italy. The Assembly, the old scout (seniors), 21 June 1944 officially marks the resumption of the activities of CNGEI throughout Italy. The resumption of activities, the leaders of the National Housing Authority ascertained that the 1927 is not enacted any laws to repeal the Act of December 21, 1916 n. 1881, which erected the institution in non-profit organization, and therefore for the Italian legislation on CNGEI had ceased to exist. On 21 November 1944 in Rome was signed between ASCI and CNGEI the charter of the Italian Federation Explorers followed later July 27, 1945 by the female branch of Scouting, AGI and UNGEI, which gave birth to the Italian Federation of Scouts and Guides. The two federations were officially recognized by the two movements worldwide. In 1945 CNGEI in addition to the three junior classes ( cubs , scouts and pioneers) are provided for the elders. Even in 1946 provides the UNGEI, the three junior classes (primroses, scouts and scouts), the Senior (or flames). In 1949 the Senior CNGEI framed in the fourth class scout organization. In this class were assembled members of both sexes from 21 years onwards. The seniors were grouped into clans, one for each location, with its administrative and financial organization outside the sections. At the first National Congress of Seniors, 2 and 3 June 1951, was born in Florence the Grand National Senior Clan. From December 18, 1954 the Great Clan becomes "Clan Italian National Senior Scout". In 1949 in CNGEI begin activities for the Scouts of air that followed the organization of a first course in aeronautical culture scout, held at the Air War School of Florence - Countryside. At the end of the sixties, the obvious difficulties and logistical materials have blocked the development and activities of the Scouts of the air inside of the organization. In 1953, in Lucerne, is founded the International Friendship Adult Scouts and Guides (now International Scout and Guide Fellowship) and the National Senior Scout Clan Italians was a founding member. Between the mid-sixties and seventies, Scouting secular living through a crisis, on the application of the method, knowing upheaval and defections.

The merger with the UNGEI and the transformation into the National Youth Corps and Explorers Scouts Italian

With the approval of the new statute, 26 May 1976, by Decree of the President of the Republic, is the total unification of CNGEI dell'UNGEI and in the National Young Explorers Scouts and Italians. The CNGEI was oriented to an increasingly secular and pluralistic way in qualifying, and also applied the following choices: participatory democracy, co-education, adult choice and civic engagement. Moreover, in the same year, for reasons of political association Clan came together in the Italian National Senior Scout CNGEI, and gave rise to the "Fourth Branch". In 1986, eliminated the words "Fourth Branch" by replacing it with that of "Senior Branca." Since 1992 the branch no longer exists but only the Senior Senior, to eliminate the confusion that the term "Branch" could give (educational continuity, etc ...). In parallel with the World Movement, were born some federal official organizations including scouts and guides associations recognized, to better coordinate the exchange of international collaboration, such as the International Union of Scouts and Guides Associations Lay and pluralistic CNGEI which is a founding member.

In 1988 the CNGEI produced the first of its documents "pedagogical": The Spiritual Formation Project, which indicates how the CNGEI foster care and development of the inner spiritual life of all its members which excludes the characterization and the formation confessional. In 1997 the CNGEI produce a further document, used as an exam topic in many courses in pedagogy at the University, the Global Education Project, in which they dictated the guidelines followed by the educational CNGEI to pursue the aim of Scouting, which form the Good Citizen. In 2001 he established the trail in the Senior Adult CNGEI. Finally in 2004 was approved ID card association, which exhibits the features and choices that CNGEI pursues.

Features

The "Identity Card Associations"

Scouting CNGEI is characterized by its membership five choices, as outlined in his Identity Card Membership: democracy, secularism, coeducational, adult choice and civic engagement

Links with national and international Scout movement

The CNGEI, and internationally qualifies as SAGA (Guide and Scout Association, Association that contains within it both Guide and Scout) is a member, together with the Association of Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts (AGESCI), the Italian Federation of Scouting ( FIS ) which internationally qualifies as SAGNO (National Scout and Guide Organisation, ie national organization composed of groups of Guides and Scouts). The CNGEI through the FIS , respectively, the World Association participates in Scouts and Guides (AMGE / WAGGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (OMMS / WOSM). The CNGEI is a founding member of the International Union of Associations Scout Lay and pluralist (UIPL). He also was a member (representing the adult members), the Italian Federation of Scout Adults (FIAS) and the International Scout and Guide through this Fellowship (ISGF / AISG).

The method

The Scout method of education is outlined by the founder of Scouting, Robert Baden-Powell, inspired by the Law and Promise. The offer educational CNGEI is divided into three branches, characterized by specific age groups:

• the Pack welcomes the Cubs aged 8 to 12 years
• The Department welcomes Scouts and Scouts aged 12 to 16 years
• The Company welcomes the Rover 16 to 19 years

After 19 years the guys finish their education and can, if desired, to continue in Scouting as a senior, in the Clan or educators as leaders in units. For both the senior clan leaders for educators are provided training to the role, performed by specialists, and recognized by the World Scout Movement and World Association Guides and Scouts.

Among the most important celebrations of the Scouts are:

• the "Thought of the Day", February 22, birthday of the founder of the Scout movement, Robert Baden-Powell and his wife Olave Baden-Powell. This anniversary, recognized by all the scouts in the world, provides an opportunity to reinforce the common sense of belonging to the worldwide movement;
• St. George, April 23, the anniversary of the patron saint of Scouts. In such case the units, groups, or sections shall adhere to the organization of special activities that spread awareness of Scouting in the area.

for more information:
www.cngei.it