Juliette Low Seminar
“Values-based Leadership Development”
Sangam World Centre, Pune, India
26th Aug – 10th Sept 2006

I was privileged to be selected to attend the recent Juliette Low Seminar held at Sangam World Centre, Pune, India. The theme of the seminar this year was “Values-based Leadership Development in an International Setting” and was attended by representatives from 44 different countries. This was the largest representation from different countries to attend any JLS.

The program consisted of sessions on Leadership Styles & Qualities, Creativity, Communication, Advocacy, Managing Change, Leading a Team and WAGGGS - 10 million girls, 1 voice. We were encouraged to explore the type of leader we are and how we fit in to our own organisation. We also discussed the Strengths and Weaknesses and Opportunities and Threats that our organisations experience, working together on action plans to turn these weaknesses into strengths and the threats in to opportunities. The Chairman of the World Board, Elspeth Henderson, joined us for the second half of the seminar and she covered talks on the WAGGGS Board and how WAGGGS and WOSM are working together in relation to the voice of girls and young women.

One of the most inspiring sessions was when we visited some of the local NGO’s working to improve various aspects of Indian life. The Door-Step School - working to increase literacy levels & numbers attending school. YWCA - working with girls/women to help them understand their rights and give a voice to their needs.

Finally, the Mobile Crèche - a crèche for the children of workers on the building sites on which both mother and father work. These visits had a big impact on many of the participants as it made you appreciate a lot of what we take for granted. I was so impressed by the work of the Door-step school that, since returning home, I held a themed Indian Night and raised the money to pay one teachers salary for a year.

During the seminar, it was easy to recognise that we are one big guiding family with different cultures and how when we work together we can achieve anything. Together we have one big voice and this is how we can make a big difference.

While we worked hard throughout the seminar, we also had a few opportunities to experience various aspects of Indian Culture; Mehendi Art (Henna), Bollywood Dancing, A Maharastrian Dinner (dressed in our Sari’s!) and we visited the Aga-Khan Palace where Mahatma Ghandi was held under house arrest for two years.

I really enjoyed my time at Sangam. All the staff are very friendly and extremely helpful. I would encourage everyone to make the trip and visit Sangam.

When the seminar was over, myself and four of the other participants started a weeklong tour of the other sights India has to offer. This started with a 24-hour train journey from Pune to Agra. In Agra, we visited the beautiful Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary and many marble craft houses.

We then traveled on to Jaipur where we started at 7.45am with an Elephant Ride up to the Amber Palace and Fort. This was an amazing experience that was added to by the beautiful surroundings. In Jaipur, we also visited the Jaisingh Observatory and the City Palace and Museum.

Finally, we traveled to Delhi, host to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Here we visited the Headquarters of the Bharat Scouts and Guides (after a very enjoyable Rickshaw ride that included a flat tyre!). Upon arriving at the HQ, we were given a very warm welcome, including a tour of the building.

We also visited Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat - Where Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, was cremated after he was assassinated in 1948.