Photo: The Guide Association

Andrew Chapman offers some food for thought, or some thought for food

February 22 is World Thinking Day, an event created way back in 1926 at the fourth Girl Guide/Girl Scout International Conference to encourage members of these movements to 'think of each other'.

In 1932, it was broadened to encourage them to make a contribution to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

This year's day takes the theme of food, encouraging guides and scouts to learn about food and health, different types of food across the world, and how to help people who are starving in underdeveloped countries.

Numerous activities are suggested, such as:

1. Posting recipes to other WAGGGS members

2. Learning about healthy eating habits

3. Helping the hungry, eg by organising food donations to poorer countries or by working at a homeless shelter

4. Learning about international recipes

5. Learning about how crops are produced around the world

6. Helping to raise awareness of world hunger, eg through Action Against Hunger or the UN's World Food Programme WAGGGS offers a free Thinking Day Pack and fundraising guide.

The Girl Guiding movement in the UK also has numerous activities planned and guides to running your own.

The date of February 22 was originally chosen as this was the birthday of both Robert, Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the scouting and guiding movements, and his wife Olave, who was World Chief Guide.