The Silver World Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on an international basis. Recipients must be a citizen of a country with a Scouting program that is a member of the World Scout Conference. Registered members of the BSA are not eligible for this award.

Silver World Award
Medal and knot
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
CountryUnited States
Created1971
Awarded forService to youth on an international basis
Recipients126 (2021)
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Award

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The award consists of a silver medallion enameled in blue with meridian lines, stars and the universal emblem of the BSA suspended from a red and white striped ribbon worn around the neck. The medallion represents the global scope of the award.

Recipients may wear the corresponding square knot, with a design that reflects the award.[1]

History

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The Silver World Award was created in 1971 and originally was presented to those who provided international service to the Scouting programs of the BSA, but were not registered members of the BSA.[2]

Nominations were to be approved by the Chief Scout Executive, the national president, the international commissioner, or the national commissioner, all of whom had the authority to present to any persons they might choose.

Criterion

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Today, public nominations for the award are no longer accepted, but it is used by the executive leadership of the BSA for recognition of world leaders in International Scouting, on the following basis and procedure:[3]

The award may be presented to citizens of any country whose Scout association is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, in recognition of his or her service of exceptional character to the youth of his or her own country, or on an international basis.

The recipient does not have to be a member of a Scout association. United States citizens may receive the Silver World Award for international service to youth, provided they are not registered members of the Boy Scouts of America.

Approved awards may be presented by an authorized member of the Boy Scouts of America either by a personal visit with the recipient or at an official meeting of a National Scout Association, including the BSA.

As evidence of the award, there will be presented a suitable certificate duly authorized by the Boy Scouts of America.

Recipients

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As of May 2021, there have been 126 Silver World Awardees. Note: This list is presented in the order of awards as published by the Boy Scouts of America International Department.[citation needed][4]

References

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  1. ^ "Distinguished Service Awards". Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008.
  2. ^ "Illustrated History of BSA Square Knot Evolution and Private Issues" (PDF). SageVenture.
  3. ^ Rules and Regulations. Boy Scouts of America. pp. Article X, Section 6.
  4. ^ "Distinguished Service Awards". Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original on March 19, 2008.