On 27 May 2023, Portuguese Catholic Scouting (CNE) celebrates its 100th anniversary with the motto ‘100 years of Building Tomorrow!’
Established in Braga in 1923 by Archbishop Manuel Vieira de Matos and Father Avelino Gonçalves, Portuguese Catholic Scouting quickly spread throughout Portugal, offering opportunities for personal growth to successive generations of young people.
The CNE became an informal movement for the education of young people that was not for profit, non-political and non-governmental. Currently boasting more than 72,000 members spread over 1,100 groups in mainland Portugal, the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, as well as Geneva, Zurich and Macau, the CNE is the largest scouting association and the largest youth organisation in Portugal. Part of the global Scouting movement, the CNE aims to encourage education for peace, through a spirit of understanding and solidarity between people, fostering in its young people a respect for interculturality and making them true citizens of the world. Scouting is thus a worldwide fellowship, whose members are characterised by identifying elements common to all Scouting groups, such as the neckerchief, the law and promise, a legacy of Baden-Powell (B-P), the founder of the Scouting Movement.
Our symbol of these 100 years of building is based on the polipedestra or multi-footed structure, often used as a technique for lashing together several canes to form a teepee shape. This type of structure can be seen in large Nordic constructions, shelters, bridges, towers, etc. It requires a bit of energy and a lot of team work to get the structure standing, and the bigger it is, the more people it takes to erect it. This structure is essentially composed of pillars, which give it body and are the most static and long-lasting part, and rope, which helps keep the pillars stable and held together and adapts them according to the needs of the construction. These pillars represent the elements that have allowed us to experience these 100 years of growth and construction, an idea reinforced by the ridges on each pole. The pillars are the basis of our identity, and each pole represents, respectively, the Fleur-de-lis (Law, Promise, Principles, Mysticism and Symbology), the Flame (Catholic Identity), Community (Service for and with the Community, Good Deeds, Patrol System and Educational Relations), the Tent (Learning by doing, Individual progression) and Nature (Camp life, time in nature).
The rope is the most dynamic aspect, symbolising scouting action and its activities, which give each pillar a different colour. Without this – without active scouts – the pillars would be just a useless pile of poles.
In perfect harmony with the global motto of our movement – Scouting, creating a Better World – the centenary celebrations will underline just how promising the future can be, how it provides us with an opportunity for excellence, to continue to ensure the fulfilment of the dreams of all children, teenagers and young people, as well as the communities around them, creating a better society and a better world! We are the Builders of Tomorrow!
National Scouts Corps
