The Girl Guides Association Cook Islands participated in the first ever virtual World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Conference.

The 37th World Conference took place over five days in July.

Cook Islands became a member of the WAGGGS, the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world, in 1996.

Participants were accommodated at the Edgewater Resort and connected with over 122 member organisations from around the globe.

The Cook Islands Girl Guides national president Ngara Katuke said: “Due to Covid-19, we couldn’t travel to Uganda who had won the bid to host this year’s conference.”

The theme of the seminar was “Walking together, Walking Far”.

“These virtual meetings provided an opportunity to speak with others and create networking sessions, together,” said Katuke.

She was happy with the turnout of young women participants. “They all played a major role in this conference where we need their feedback for the future of our organisation as they are the leaders of tomorrow.”

During the meetings, the Cook Islands also casted their vote for the six new world board members. The successful candidates are: Jess Bond (United Kingdom), Fiona Bradley (New Zealand), Chamathya Fernando (Sri Lanka), Candela Gonalez (Asociación Guías Argentinas), Debra Nakatomi (USA) and Christiane Rouhana (Lebanon).

Cook Islands patron Lady Tuaine Marsters and Tinomana Tokerau Ariki (Tokerau Munro), Haumata Hosking, Tereapii Ben and were selected to light and blow out the celebratory cake candles during the event.

Tinomana Tokerau Ariki is a former president, chief commissioner, training trainer and outer island commissioner, she has also represented the Cook Islands at the 29th World Conference in 1996 in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Tutai Mauke is the Girl Guide National Commissioner and has represented the country in the 36th World Conference in 2017, New Delhi, India.

Girl Guide National programme co-ordinator Haumata Hosking attended the 35th World Conference in 2014 in Hong Kong.

Tereapii Ben, the Girl Guide Leader for Titikaveka, who is a former national president, chief commissioner, training trainer, attended the 33rd World Conference in 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa; the 32nd World Conference in 2005 in Amman, Jordan and the 30th World Conference in 1999 in Dublin, Ireland.

Cyprus will host the 38th World Conference in 2023. “Hopefully Covid-19 will be cleared by that time,” said Katuke.