Honouring a Visionary Leader

The Jane Orde Scholarship was established by the Androus Foundation in memory of Jane Orde, WFTGA President Emeritus, whose lifelong dedication to professional tourist guiding, international cooperation and ethical practice left an enduring mark on our global community. Her belief in equal access to education and professional development inspired a scholarship that would support Tourist Guides from financially challenged countries—offering opportunities that they otherwise might not have been able to access.

A Partnership Rooted in Support and Solidarity

Since its creation, the scholarship has been generously supported by the Androus Foundation, whose long-standing commitment to the WFTGA enabled us to welcome colleagues from World Bank Tier 3, 4 and 5 countries to our international conventions. Their contribution ensured that financial barriers did not prevent talented Tourist Guides from participating in the world’s largest gathering of professional guides.

Scholarship Recipients Through the Years

Over nearly two decades, many colleagues benefited from this initiative:

• 2003 – Gambia; Guatemala

• 2005 – Egypt; Jordan; Latvia

• 2007 – Mozambique; India

• 2009 – Malaysia; Thailand

• 2011 – Brazil; Georgia; Peru; Ukraine

• 2013 – Argentina; Bhutan

• 2015 – Bahamas; Barbados; Philippines; Ukraine; Uruguay

• 2017 – Scholarship not awarded

• 2019 – Uganda (unable to attend due to visa restrictions); Uzbekistan

These individuals represented the diversity, determination and passion that characterise our global guiding family.

Recent Developments and Evolving Needs

The original Jane Orde Scholarship Fund has now been fully allocated. Post-2019, any additional money raised—such as through fundraising initiatives during conventions—became part of the general WFTGA budget, allowing the Federation to decide how best to use these resources in line with contemporary needs and the spirit of the scholarship.

Global realities have changed significantly since the scholarship was first created. Travel costs, visa barriers and digital connectivity have shifted how guides from different regions can access WFTGA programmes. As the impact of attending a convention in person became more limited for some recipients, the Executive Board undertook a review to ensure that future support mechanisms would create sustainable, professional benefits for the wider guiding community.

The Path Forward

The WFTGA remains committed to the values embodied by the Jane Orde Scholarship—namely inclusivity, professional empowerment and global collaboration. In light of current circumstances, the Executive Board is exploring new formats and modern approaches to ensure that the funds raised continue to produce meaningful, long-term outcomes.

Future initiatives may include:

• Enhanced digital access to WFTGA events, ensuring broader global participation.

• Support for capacity-building programmes, particularly Train the Trainer, which has shown strong, measurable impact within national guiding communities.

• New fundraising models, exploring digital formats to replace traditional auction methods where appropriate.

Any future programme will continue to honour the spirit of the original scholarship while adapting to the evolving needs of our members and the global guiding profession.

Acknowledgement of Support

The WFTGA extends its sincere gratitude to the Androus Foundation for its unwavering support over the years. The Foundation’s generosity made the Jane Orde Scholarship possible and helped strengthen bonds across our international network. We also acknowledge the many members, associations and partners who contributed to scholarship fundraising efforts at past conventions.