The World Scout Conference is the governing body, the "general assembly" of Scouting, and is composed of all the members of the World Organization: the National Scout Organizations (NSOs). An NSO can have a maximum of six delegates at a World Scout Conference.

The function of the Conference is to consider the policy and standards of the Scout Movement throughout the world, formulate the general policy of the World Organization, and take the action required to further the purpose of the Movement.

The Conference takes place every three years. In addition to delegates, observers authorised by their National Scout Organization are also eligible to attend the event. Delegations usually include International Commissioners, the Scout responsible for relations with WOSM and with Scout Organizations in other countries.

In conjunction to the Conference, a World Scout Youth Forum is held. Through preparing inputs and making recommendations to the World Scout Conference and to the World Scout Committee, participants develop the skills necessary to take part in decision-making processes. The Youth Forum is open to members aged 18-26, of which many are also delegates at the World Scout Conference. The World Scout Youth Forum is considered as an interim measure to improve youth involvement in decision-making at world level.

Functions of the Conference includes electing members of the World Scout Committee, admitting new member countries, and selecting the venues for forthcoming World Scout Events, namely the World Scout Jamboree, the World Scout Moot, the World Scout Conference and the World Scout Youth Forum.

The most recent World Scout Conference and World Scout Youth Forum took place 2011 in Curitiba, Brazil and the next will take place 2014 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. For more information about the next Youth Forum and Conference, see World Events.

Documentation from previous World Scout Conferences:

39th World Scout Conference (2011)
38th World Scout Conference (2008)
37th World Scout Conference (2005)
36th World Scout Conference (2002)
35th World Scout Conference (1999)

The World Scout Committee is the executive body of WOSM. It is responsible for the implementation of the resolutions of the World Scout Conference and for acting on its behalf between its meetings.

The Committee is composed of the following members:

Voting members:

• Twelve elected members, each from a different country. They are elected by the World Scout Conference by secret ballot, for a three-year term. The elected members are eligible for re-election for an additional term, serving a maximum of six consecutive years.

Ex-officio non-voting members:

• The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of each duly elected Regional Scout Committee
• The Secretary General of WOSM
• The Treasurer, who is appointed by the World Scout Committee
• A member of the Board of the World Scout Foundation

The Committee normally meets twice a year. Its Steering Committee, consisting of the Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons and the Secretary General, meets as needed.

Current World Scout Committee members.

The World Scout Youth Forum elects six Youth Advisors, whose role is to increase youth participation in the decision making of the organisation. They are elected for a three-year term and take part in the meetings of the World Scout Committee. Youth Advisors must be aged 18-26 and all represent different countries.

Current Youth Advisors.

The following Priority Area Working Groups linked to the Triennial Plan support the World Scout Committee:

• 21st Century Leadership – headed by Karin Ahlbäck
• Youth for Change – headed by João Armando Gonçalves
• Global Support System (a renaming of the Consultancy System) – headed by Oscar Palmquist
• Our Strategic Path – headed by John Neysmith

In addition, there are four Task Forces that are also linked to the Triennial Plan:

• Global Issues Task Force – headed by Simon Rhee
• Human Rights Task Force – headed by Mario Diaz
• Membership Task Force – headed by Oscar Palmquist
• Digital Strategy Task Force – headed by Marcel Blaguet

The following Subcommittees work on a more long-term basis:

• Finance Committee – headed by Dan Ownby
• Audit Committee – headed by Martin Burbridge
• Constitution Committee – headed by Alexander Wong
• Educational Methods Team – headed by João Armando Gonçalves
• Honors and Awards Committee – headed by Rick Cronk