IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION NEWS NFO OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2019 VOLUME 51, ISSUE NOs. 10, 11 & 12

APR joins in the Philippines, puts up Better World Tent (Story on page 2)

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Scouts join call World Scouting holds APR participates to stop training for WOSM in UN-Habitat’s assembly hate speech consultants for young people COVER STORY

APR joins Scout Jamboree in the Philippines, puts up Better World Tent

Over fifteen thousand Scouts experienced dynamic place showcasing World Scout- fun, learning and adventure at the APR Better ing’s programmes, services and initiatives, World Tent during the of the Phil- provided a space to discover how Scouts ippine’s 17th National Scout Jamboree held are creating positive change around the early in December 2019. world with local projects and international networks. The tent showcased variety of The APR Better World Tent, an all-in-one initiatives, programmes and calls to action Photo © World Scout Bureau Asia-PacificRegion

2 inspired National Scout Organizations and opment Goals (SDGs) through community Scout groups/units to align the community service. This is possible because of the service element of their Scout projects with exciting opportunities our NSOs’ Youth the SDGs and education for Programmes offer young people to learn sustainable development. about the needs of their local communities and take their first steps to creating a better An average of 3,000 visitors enter the exhibit world. each day, exploring and learning about World Scouting’s programmes on the sustainable de- Inspired by TEDx Talks, Scout Talks were also velopment goals, environment, development, conducted at the exhibit, featuring speakers spreading awareness on gender equality, carefully selected to discuss specific topics creating a culture of peace through dialogue, and/or programmes of World Scouting, includ- and much more. It also included a station for ing inspiring projects and insights from young Scouts to know more about Scouting in the Scouts. Asia-Pacific Region. Scouts who completed all stations, and at- As active citizens, Scouts worldwide contribute tended a Scout Talk were given Better World every day to achieving the Sustainable Devel- badges, courtesy of the Asia-Pacific Region. Photo © World Scout Bureau Asia-PacificRegion

3 4 Photo © World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Region 5 OUR REGION

Scouts join call to stop hate speech With reports from Patrick McCormick ()

VIENNA, Austria – Five Scouts from the Power of Words: The Role of Religion, Asia-Pacific and Interamerican Scout Media and Policy in Countering Hate Regions joined nearly 200 prominent Speech” provided an opportunity for the religious leaders, theologians, diplomats delegates to share their experiences on and representatives from intergovernmen- hate speech and discuss efforts on how tal organisations (IGOs) and non-govern- to counter it and to at least lessen its ment organisations (NGOs) from around spread. Emphasis was placed on insights the world for two days in Vienna for a from the Arab Region, highlighting tes- conference that focused on discussing and timonies from Christian, Druze, Jewish, sharing ideas on countering hate speech. Muslim and Yazidi communities.

Hosted by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz The two days were packed with speeches, International Centre for Interreligious and panel discussions and workshops, culmi- Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), “The nating in the formulation of recommen-

6 dations to help the media, religious and According to Ee Yeng Lim from Perseku- policy sectors to collaborate in tackling tuan Pengakap Malaysia, “We have been hate speech. too long, too modest to act. Now, we must act!” The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) was represented by “Through WOSM’s Scouts for SDGs initi- Juan Lucas Russiani (Argentina), Patrick ative, we [Scouts] can all play a role in McCormick (Australia), David Beraha helping to address SDG Goal 9 (Reducing (Brasil), Ee Yeng Lim (Malaysia) and Inequality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice Kaung Myat Htoo (Myanmar). and Strong Institutions). The conference provided us with an amazing opportunity In his address, Adama Dieng, the United to more about countering the spread of Nations Secretary General’s Special Advi- hate speech and to hear about the ways sor for the Prevention of Genocide, spoke religious, political/diplomatic and media on how hate speech targets our universal leaders are working to reduce and end human values. “We have to bear in mind hate speech in their communities, “ said that hate speech is an attack on diversi- Patrick McCormick, the Assistant National ty,” he said. “It is an attack on tolerance, Commissioner for Sustainability of Scouts it is an attack on peace, it is an attack on Australia. the principles and values which are the backbone of the United Nations charter. Around the world, hate speech is on the And the same values we find in each and rise and requires a coordinated response every religion.” from religious leaders, policymakers, jour- nalists, general public, as well as Scouts Representatives from the World Organiza- – both to address the main drivers of tion of the Scout Movement (WOSM) also hate speech and to provide a coordinated weighed in when asked how young people response which upholds the fundamental could help counter hate speech. rights and inclusion of all communities and individuals. “As Messengers of Peace, we should be at the forefront of dialogue, of reaching out In the same conference, KAICIID also to other people. We will continue to work announced that in support of the United together to reach our goal – to create a Nations Plan of Action on Hate Speech, it better world,” said Juan Lucas Russiani is allocating 1.5 million euros for initia- from Scouts de Argentina. tives to counter hate speech in 2020.

7 Fijian President meet with Asia-Pacific Scout leaders

President Jioji Konusi Konrote of the the Fiji Scouts Association (FSA). They agreed Republic of Fiji met with the delegation on several areas for mutual cooperation includ- from WOSM’s Asia-Pacific Region at the ing driving membership growth, governance, Borron House on November 25. youth programme and adults in Scouting. The Asia-Pacific Region will also work closely with As part of the meeting, they discussed on FSA to develop its strategic directions over the strengthening the government’s support to course of the next two years.

8 They discussed on strengthening the government’s Fijian President meet support to the Fiji Scouts Association (FSA). They agreed on several areas for mutual cooperation with Asia-Pacific Scout leaders including driving membership growth, governance, youth programme and adults in Scouting.

The delegation from the Asia-Pacific Region was headed by Hiroshi Shimada, First Vice Chairman of the APR Scout Committee as part of the NSO visits and monitoring pro- gramme. He was joined by J Rizal C Pan- gilinan, Regional Director and Rajalingam Ramasamy, Chairman of the APR Strategy and Monitoring Task Force.

9 World Scouting holds training for WOSM consultants Imelda E Songco | World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre

Forty-six consultants from 32 National Humanitarian Action, Partnership, Safe Scout Organizations (NSOs) across the six from Harm and Youth Engagement. Scout regions of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) attended the Throughout the training, the consultants fifth edition of WOSM Consultants Training were thoroughly briefed about essential held on 9-12 October 2019 at the Assump- information about WOSM, consultan- tion University in Bangkok, Thailand. cy skills, service-related skills and the WOSM services platform. Prior to the Seven WOSM services were covered during on-site training, the consultants were the training – Better World Framework, asked to complete several online induc- Diversity and Inclusion, Good Governance, tion courses.

10 11 OUR NSO

BSP names 10 Outstanding Scouts Public Relations and Communications Office | Boy Scouts of the Philippines

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) an- in October as one of the highlights of the nounced on October 25, the winners of this Scouting Month. The competition is for Senior year’s Search for the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts (aged from 15 to 17 years old), who Scouts of the Philippines (TOBS). The winners are Filipino citizens, currently registered were selected from the 26 regional finalists, member of the BSP, of Venturer or Eagle coming from the 2.8 million member Scouts, Scout Rank and has not reached the age of who hurdled the unit, council then regional 18 at the time of the nomination at the Local level selection before they reached the finals Council Level. to meet the panel of interviewees for the last leg of the competition – the interview. The search aims to recognise Scouts who worked hard to progress in the advancement The winner will receive a two-year college ladder, who live up to the ideals of Scouting scholarship, cash prize and tokens, and the and who best epitomise sterling qualities in chance to be selected as the country’s rep- school and community leadership, academic resentative in the 8th Asia-Pacific Regional excellence and good moral conduct. It also Award for Outstanding Scouts in 2021. provides an avenue for improving the image of the BSP as an effective tool for character The nationwide search begins in July and development and citizenship training. culminates in the awarding ceremony held

12 The search aims to recognise Scouts who worked hard to progress in the advancement ladder, who live up to the ideals of Scouting and who best epitomise sterling qualities in school and community leadership, academic excellence and good moral conduct.

Part of criteria for the selection of winners are of the TOBS National Selection Committee. community service, which refers to leadership The winners, three of whom are girls, were or membership involvement in school-related announced in a ceremony held at the or community activities; character develop- Philippine International Convention Centre ment and bearing; academic standing; and in Manila. interview which includes communication skills and personality. The awardees are Venturer Scout Carl Andre F. Santiago, Tarlac Council; Eagle Scout “This year’s batch of finalists is probably Jason James Isada, Negros Occidental Council; one of the best since the search started in Eagle Scout Dave Joshua C. Dy, Tacloban City 1989 (30 years anniversary). Our judges had Council; Eagle Scout Rasheed Jared D. Royo, difficulty naming the winners because they Capiz Council; Eagle Scout Celeste G. Cananua, were all good in the interview and the docu- Batangas City Council; Eagle Scout Jaya Mae ments they have submitted were too good to R. Sarte, Cotabato Council; Venturer Scout Via be ignored. However, there should only be 10 Marie D. De Vera, Baguio City Council; Eagle winners and we believe we have chosen the Scout Vince Dylan G. Visey, San Pablo City best candidates,” BSP Chief National Commis- Council; Eagle Scout Renibon P. Galvez, Zam- sioner Cedric G. Train said, also the chairman boanga City Council; and Venturer Scout Ghio A. Gatlabayan, Antipolo City Council.

13 Scouts attending a camp in the Philippines take action for the environment Thousands of Scouts present at the 8th the participants were asked to take action National Scout Venture Camp of the Boy and participate in tree planting and clean- Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) in Iligan City, up activities in designated areas. While the north of Mindanao came together to plant Scouts are helping the environment, they 3,000 tree seedlings at the National Steel are also able to complete their requirements Corporation Compound. to earn the World Scout Environment Badge (WSEB) under the World Scout Environment The tree planting activity is part of BSP’s Programme (WSEP). Scouts Go Green Project that seeks to plant at least five million trees annually. Towards the end of the camp, the World Scout Environment Badge was awarded to As part of the regular modules in the camp, 5,057 Scouts for completing all the neces-

14 sary requirements under the environment education framework. According to the BSP National Office, they have already conferred the World Scout Environment Badge to 25, 244 Cub Scouts, Scouts and Rovers since 2016.

The World Scout Environment Programme encourages young people to connect with nature, to think about how they interact with the environment, and to take action to protect it.

The leadership of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is attributing the growth in the number of WSEB awardees to the simplified process in earning the badge as a result of its full integration into BSP’s advancement programme.

“We try to bring the WOSM World Pro- grammes closer to more young people. In fact, just this year, we have fully launched our Revised Advancement Programme were the Messengers of Peace Programme, Scouts of the World Award Programme and the World Scout Environment Programme has been fully integrated,” said Rogelio S. Villa, Jr., BSP’s secretary general.

“This tree planting activity, coupled with some activities under the World Scout Environment Badge is our commitment to the environ- ment,” he added further.

On another note, Scouts Go Green Project focal person Carmelo B. Francia said that the Scouts really worked for their award.

“These young Scouts really worked hard for their award. But more than the award itself, it’s their contribution to the environment that inspired me the most. Young as they are, they are already aware of the looming effects of climate change, and they are already taking action!”

The Scouts Go Green Project requires all of BSP’s Local Councils to plant indigenous and endemic trees for forest and watershed areas, flower and fruit-bearing trees for schools, homes and public places, and mangrove trees for coastal areas.

15 PARTNERSHIP STORY

APR participates in UN-Habitat’s assembly for young people

In the midst of the growing clamour of Co-organised by the United Nations Human involving the youth in policymaking and Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the ensure that young people have a stake in United Nations Economic and Social Com- the society, the World Organization of the mission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), Scout Movement’s (WOSM) Asia-Pacific Re- the UN Major Group for Children and Youth gion sent Mori Cheng, youth advisor to the (UN MGCY) and the Malaysian Ministry of World Scout Committee, to attend UN-Hab- Housing and Local Government, the Children itat’s Children and Youth Assembly to share and Youth Assembly was held in Penang, how World Scouting is providing a space Malaysia on 13-14 October 2019. The event for young people to engage in meaningful gathered about 500 young people aged be- exchanges on initiatives relating to the sus- tween 15 to 30 years old, comprising a mix tainable development goals. of local participants from Penang and other

16 Malaysian cities, and from Through this engage- Asia-Pacific countries. ment, we are sharing Mori Cheng introduced Scouts for SDGs to the par- how World Scouting ticipants, World Scouting’s latest initiative for sustaina- is providing opportuni- ble development, and how it is mobilising more than 50 mil- ties to young people lion Scouts for the world’s largest coordinated youth contribution to to participate in the sustainable development goals. programmes, events, “We did an interactive session that showed these young people that Scouting in not only activities and projects limited to camps and games. We want to show them the extraordinary things that we are doing in Scouting. Through this engagement, that contribute to their we are sharing how World Scouting is providing opportunities to young people to participate in growth as global active programmes, events, activities and projects that contribute to their growth as global active citizens. citizens,” said Cheng.

During the session, participants had the chance to discuss what they can do to contribute to the SDGs, starting from their local communities. Emphasis was placed on Goal No. 11, Sustaina- ble Cities and Communities. Just as more than half of the world’s population are living in urban areas and the need to make sure that cities are safe, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone, especially for women, children and the disabled people, the session anchored on a “My Goal 11 To-Do List”, a set of actions that can be done by young people in their local communities lifted directly from World Scouting’s #Scouts4SDGs Hub, https://sdgs.scout.org.

Towards the end, the session focused on how youth should be prepared for 2030 by way of looking at what they need to build up in them- selves to face the 2030 Agenda - capabilities, knowledge and attitude. The participants raised that in order to cope with the challenges that lie ahead, every young person must start by empowering oneself and to maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards changes.

Mori Cheng is from of Hong Kong and his participation was fully sup- ported by the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre. During the sessions, Nur Shar- ifah Nurul Atik binti Baharuddin of Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia served as facilitator.

17 UPCOMING EVENTS

22nd International Adventure Programme 2020 2-8 FEBRUARY 2-8 FEBRUARY

The International Adventure Programme will be held for seven days, gathering Scouts and Adult Leaders aged between BS&G National Adventure 12 to 45 years old. It will include series of physically challenging and Institute, Pachmarchi, high-adventure activities covering land, Madhya Pradesh, India sea and air.

The gathering seeks to brings Scouts from all over the world to get to know about the authentic Arab cultural heritage and exchange experience. Further- more, it aims to intro- duce the mechanism of enhancing and promoting the culture of tolerance in Scouting.

18 2nd Community-Based Scout Camp 2020 8-14 FEBRUARY 8-14 FEBRUARY

The camp is expected to gather Scouts, Rover Sabrang Tourism Park Scouts and Adult Leaders for a week of community Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazar development activities and services. Bangladesh

The National Rover Conference is an annual significant gathering for Rovers all over TGA Scouts of China. It provides the young people with an avenue to enhance their skills in decision-making at the institutional level of Scouting and offers opportunities for Rover Scouts to take part in youth involvement, and to discuss and express their opinions about different issues.

19 SCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC

JANUARY World Scout Committee Meeting 1st SAANSO Rover Moot 13th APR Scout Moot/ 27-29 March, Malaysia 10-16 August, Pakistan NEWSiNFO 21st Australian Rover Moot APRIL 30 Dec-10 January, Australia 10th National and 4th SAANSO International Youth Day Scout Jamboree 12 August National Strategic Planning 4-9 April, Sri Lanka Workshop Gerakan Pramuka Day EDITORIAL and DESIGN TEAM 10-13 January, Afghanistan SMT Residential Meeting 14 August 5-10 April, Malaysia BWF PH Workshop 14th WSYF J. Rizal C. Pangilinan 13-16 January, Philippines APR Scout Committee meeting 17-21 August, Egypt 18 April, Rep. of Korea Regional Director Corporate Services Thematic SAANSO CALT Team meeting 10th APR Scout Leaders Summit 19-23 August, Maldives 19-23 January, Malaysia 19-22 April, Rep. of Korea Luz Taray 42nd WS Conference Director, Communications National Strategic Planning MAY 24-28 August, Egypt and Partnerships Workshop AIS Sub-Committee Meeting 20-24 January, Bhutan 2 May SEPTEMBER SAANSO Painting Competition Theresa E. Quine FEBRUARY National Adults in Scouting and Exhibition, 4-8 September SAANSO 2nd Adventure Camp Workshop Bangladesh Assistant, Communications 2-8 February, India 3-6 May, Cambodia and Partnerships Better World Framework Workshop BWF PH-WMR Workshop BSP 14th National Rover Moot 7–10 September, Maldives 7-10 February, Philippines 3–9 May, Philippines Neil Christian C. Bolandrina International Day of Peace Assistant, Communication 9th Sharjah Intl Scout Gathering BSP ANCM 21 September Sharjah 16-19 May, Philippines and Information Services 10-19 February, UAE OCTOBER National Youth Involvement APR Scout Committee meeting WOSM Triennium Plan 2020-23 Workshop Bangladesh Kenny Ralph S. Fernando Workshop 16-19 April, Pakistan Project Officer, 14-16 February, Malaysia JOTA/JOTI Communications JUNE 16–18 October MoP District Coordinators APR Youth Leadership Training Workshop Course NOVEMBER 14-18 February, Sri Lanka 1–6 June, Myanmar SAANSO Chief Commissioners Conference, 16-18 November SAPSC Board meeting Communications and Partnerships Bhutan 18–20 February, Korea Meeting 10 June, Maldives World Children’s Day Founder’s Day 20 November COMMUNICATION AND 22 February National Youth Involvement SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS Workshop SAANSO Environment Workshop Comms & Partnerships Thematic 11–14 June, Bangladesh 20-24 November, Pakistan Team meeting 24-28 February, Malaysia 2nd EDUFOR SAANSO CLT (+63 2) 8818-0984 25–28 June, The General Associa- 20-27 November, Bangladesh Visit to Myanmar tion of the Scouts of China 26-28 February 7th ASEAN Jamboree CSPSA 25–29 November, Singapore [email protected] 9th South Luzon Regional 26-29 June, Fiji Jamboree, 28 Feb-3 March BSP 61st ANSEC Philippines JULY 27-30 November, Philippines 1st Jogja International Scout Camp W www.scout.org/asia-pacific MARCH 5-11 July, Indonesia DECEMBER National Workshop on Financial International Volunteer Day Management and Controls National TTL Workshop 5 December 2-5 March, Myanmar 12–15 July, Bangladesh BWF PH-EMR Workshop 2nd SAANSO Woodbadge Reunion 11-14 March, Philippines 17-19 July, Afghanistan @ScoutinginAPR 6th World Scout Interreligious AUGUST Symposium International Scout Scarf Day 12–15 March, France 1 August

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