World Thinking Day 2013

Each year on February 22, World Thinking Day, girls participate in activities and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries. World Thinking Day not only gives girls a chance to celebrate international friendships, but is also a reminder that Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a global community—one of nearly 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. View the 2013 World Thinking Day Activity Pack

The theme for World Thinking Day 2013 is girls worldwide say "together we can save children's lives." This theme is based on Millennium Development Goal 4, which is focused on reducing child mortality rates around the globe.

Did you know…?

• Child survival is such a serious problem that in some low-income countries, one out of every 10 children dies before the age of five. In comparison, one out of every 143 children dies before the age of five in wealthier nations.
• In low-income countries, many children die from diseases, or from a combination of disease and undernourishment, that could be prevented if they had access to basic, affordable healthcare. Common diseases are respiratory illnesses, diarrhea, malaria and measles – all preventable illnesses.
• It is much more difficult to stay clean and healthy when safe water is scarce and has to be carried over long distances. If everyone had access to clean water, much of the disease in the world could be prevented. Every day 5,000 people die from diseases like diarrhea which are caused by dirty water.
• One out of every six people in the world does not have access to clean water, and one out of every three people does not have a toilet or latrine nearby.
• Child survival is not just an issue in the developing world. Children in the United States are less likely to reach their fifth birthday than in 40 other developed countries.

To order the 2013 World Thinking Day award, visit the Girl Scout Shop. The World Thinking Day award is now an OFFICIAL Award and, therefore, it may be worn on the front of the official uniform sash or vest in the same area where the badges go, which is the same side as the Girl Scout Council identification set. The other side of the vest has been designated for the Journey awards. Journey awards are placed above all other badges on the sash. There is not a single exact location for this badge. To earn the award, girls complete one or more activities below.

Leaders, find specific projects for your troop's age group:

• Girl Scout Daisies
• Girl Scout Brownies
• Girl Scout Juniors
• Girl Scout Cadettes
• Girl Scout Seniors
• Girl Scout Ambassadors

World Thinking Day is part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Global Action Theme (GAT) based on the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aim to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.