During the 42nd Congress of the Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego, delegates—representatives of Scout units from across Poland—decided, after a lengthy discussion, to introduce an alternative wording of the Scout Promise into the ZHP Statutes. In accordance with the principles of the Scout movement, the Scout Law and Promise must describe the comprehensive, all-round development of a person, an element of which is spiritual development. Many Scout organizations already have not one, but sometimes even several, alternative wordings of the promise.
Those joining ZHP will have the opportunity to choose between the existing wording and the additional version newly adopted by the delegates. During the Scout Promise ceremony, female and male Scouts will be able to choose between two wordings:
“I sincerely intend throughout my life to serve God and Poland, willingly help my fellow human beings, and obey the Scout Law.”
or
“I sincerely intend throughout my life to serve Poland, uphold the principles of Scouting, willingly help my fellow human beings, and obey the Scout Law.”
Spiritual development is a very important element of ZHP’s educational work. The organization wants to give young people the opportunity to find their own path, supported by their female and male instructors.
Before this decision was made, numerous discussions among instructors had been held throughout Poland since 2014, and many instructors—including those who work with Cub Scout groups and Scout troops on a daily basis—spoke on this very important issue. The resolution adopted by the ZHP Congress was the result of organization-wide consultations conducted by the ZHP Supreme Council on the role of faith and religion as components of spiritual education in the Scout Educational System.
More about the alternative wording of the promise: https://zhp.pl/2022/zjazd-zhp-przyjal-zmiane-w-statucie-dopuszczajaca-alternatywne-przyrzeczenie-harcerskie