SCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
NEWS NFOAPRIL 2019 VOLUME 51, ISSUE NO.4 Cubs enjoy fun-filled Cubboree in Sri Lanka story on page 16
Earth Hour 2019: 10 Malaysia reviews 2Scouts working 10Lights spark joy for kids 18national strategic plan, together to protect in the South Pacific after gears up for change nature Scouts team up with Hong Kong celebrates Wood Badge Solar AmbassadorsSolarBuddy conduct Scouts Local governments in Nepal send Centenary, opens APR Adults in Go Solar training for Malaysian teachers, community leaders Scouting Workshop8 Scout Leaders to undergo training14 with Scouts COVER STORY Hong Kong celebrates Wood Badge Centenary, opens APR Adults in Scouting Workshop
As part of the celebration of The opening ceremony was training. “This year, 2019, marks the Wood Badge Centenary in graced by Craig Turpie, Chairper- 100 years of the Wood Badge, the Asia-Pacific Region, the APR son of the World Scout Commit- an enduring symbol of our Move- Adults in Scouting Workshop tee, along with several members ment’s commitment to ensuring kicked off on 21 April 2019 at of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout that adults in Scouting are trained the Hong Kong Scout Centre in Committee and the APR Adults in to lead and manage, in order to Kowloon, bringing together 44 Scouting Sub-Committee. provide quality youth programmes participants from 15 National for growing numbers of young Scout Organizations, including In his message, Turpie empha- people who benefit from the life one participant from the Israel sised the important role of the changing experiences Scouting Boy and Girl Scouts Federation. adults in Scouting in leader offers. And whilst it’s right that
2 we reflect on our rich heritage mar Scouts. It teaches us how to of shaping leaders, it’s vitally better implement the World Adults important that we understand in Scouting Policy and learn from that Adults in Scouting is about the inspiring practices from other so much more than adult leader NSOs. I am learning a lot, and training.” with the support from the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support “Your role is a vitally important Centre and other neighbouring one. Success in implementing NSOs, we can surely implement Adults in Scouting is critical to this in Myanmar.” the Mission of Scouting and in our Craig Turpie, Chairperson efforts to achieve all that is set Aside from host country Hong of the World Scout Committee out in Vision 2023 – our Strategy Kong, participating countries for Scouting – which acts as our include Australia, Bangladesh, collective call to action to be better Cambodia, India, Indonesia, overseas resource persons, to tomorrow than we are today,” he Israel, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, handle sessions on the World added further. Phyo Thura Win, a Myanmar, the Philippines, Singa- Adults in Scouting Policy, the young leader from Myanmar Scouts pore, TGA Scouts of China, and newly adopted APR Plan 2018- who was just readmitted to the Thailand. 2021, WOSM Services, among World Organization of the Scout others. Movement in 2016 said that the The host, the Scout Association workshop has offered him and his of Hong Kong (SAHK), in coor- In conjunction with the workshop, NSO an opportunity for growth. dination with the World Scout a Wood Badge Reunion was also Bureau Asia-Pacific Support held on April 22 at Tai Tam Scout “The workshop definitely offers Centre, has pooled its seasoned Centre, gathering more than 200 an exciting opportunity for Myan- Leader Trainers, along with attendees. Photos © Scout Association of Hong Kong
3 “...Success in implementing Adults in Scouting is critical to the Mission of Scouting and in our efforts to achieve all that is set out in Vision 2023 – our Strategy for Scouting – which acts as our collective call to action to be better tomorrow than we are today.”
-- Craig Turpie, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee
Photos © Scout Association of Hong Kong 4 “...Success in implementing Adults in Scouting is critical to the Mission of Scouting and in our efforts to achieve all that is set out in Vision 2023 – our Strategy for Scouting – which acts as our collective call to action to be better tomorrow than we are today.”
-- Craig Turpie, Chairperson of the World Scout Committee
5 2019 marks 100 years of the Wood Badge, an enduring symbol of our commitment to ensuring that adults in Scouting are trained to lead and manage, in order to provide quality youth programmes
Photo © Scout Association of Hong Kong 7 Maldives hosts Wood Badge Reunion for South Asian countries
The Scout Association of Mal- itive lifestyle is something that celebration in the Asia-Pacif- dives hosted the very first Wood the government encourages, and ic Region commemorating the Badge Reunion of the South Scouting offers that opportunity centenary of the Wood Badge Asian Association of National to the young people. Our nation across the world. The first one Scout Organizations (SAANSO) at and our communities would be was conducted just few days Maafushi Island in Male on 26-29 stronger and better when more earlier in Hong Kong for the APR April 2019. The reunion coincides values and principles of Scouting Adults in Scouting Workshop with World Scouting’s celebration are present within it. That is why and the APR Wood Badge Reun- of the Wood Badge Centenary, as leaders, we ought to support ion. The wood badge remains as revelling a century of shaping the programmes of Scouting,” he an important mechanism to en- leaders through Scouting. It said. sure that the standard conduct was attended by about 50 par- of Scout trainings throughout ticipants from over 10 National He added further, “The Scout the world. Scout Organizations. Movement was introduced in Maldives about 60 years ago, Over ten countries participated In his address during the Wood and it has highly influenced the during the event. They include Badge Banquet at Jamaaludhd- development of many Maldivi- Bangladesh, TGA Scouts of Chi- heen School, President Ibrahim ans during their formative years, na, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mohamed Solih of the Republic of instilling importance social values Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Maldives rallied fellow leaders to in them. We need Scouting in our Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It was support the Scout Movement and communities for it is a movement held in Maafushi Island, one the programmes of The Scout that teaches important values of the most famous inhabited Association of Maldives. such as to be kind, trustworthy islands in Maldives, a haven for and considerate.” exclusive resorts that caters to “Enjoying the outdoors as part of a huge number of tourists year living a healthy, active and pos- The event is the second major on year.
Photo © The Scout Association of Maldives 8 Maldives hosts “Our nation and our communities would be stronger and better when more values and principles of Scouting are present within it. That is why as leaders, we ought to support the programmes of Scouting.”
-- Hon. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih President of the Republic of Maldives Hon. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, addressing the participants.
Photo © Office of the President of Maldives
9 PARTNERSHIP STORY
With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Solar Ambassadors conduct Scouts Go Solar training for Malaysian Scout leaders
10 nvironment education has been a key The workshop trained local leaders about the thrust for World Scouting and contin- programme, including the practical applications ues to play an important role in the of solar activities that could be done during Scout Scout Movement since it was founded. activities. With most of the Scout programmes and activities focused on environment It raised awareness about climate change and the With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, education and its flagship programmes sustainable solutions that could be carried out Boy Scouts of the Philippines E – World Scout Environment Programme and Scouts by Scouts, suitable for their age through learn- Go Solar Programme – Persekutuan Pengakap Ma- ing-by-doing activities on renewable energy Solar Ambassadors laysia partnered with Solafrica and its pool of solar technology and solar energy. ambassadors to conduct a Scouts Go Solar Work- shop for its key leaders across the country who “This is always an exciting opportunity for us, conduct are directly responsible in implementing the Scout to be able to train other Scout Leaders about the Programme in Malayisa. programme, and eventually become part of the team who will be implementing it in Malaysia. This Solar The PPM Scouts Go Solar Workshop was conducted is my contribution to my National Scout Organiza- training for at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Pulau tion (Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia) for their trust Pinang in Penang, Malaysia on 23-26 March 2019. and confidence when they sent me to Switzerland in About 50 Scout Leaders, mostly national and re- 2018 to attend the specialised training, the Scouts Malaysian Scout leaders gional commissioners, participated in the workshop Go Solar Training,” said Lau Hooi Lyn, course director to learn about the Scouts Go Solar Programme. of the workshop. “I have always made myself available for these types of opportunity – to be able to pay it forward. In the same manner that I was given the opportunity to be trained and learn how the programme can be implemented to my Scouts, I am also giving my fellow Scout Leaders the opportunity to learn more about the programme and help us implement it down the line.”
-- WOSM Solar Ambassador Bernando G. de Leon Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Continued from page 11
The organisers also sought the help of solar ambassa- dors Bernando G. de Leon and Erwin C. Villanueva of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. De Leon and Vil- lanueva are among the top implementers of the Scouts Go Solar Programme in the Philippines, responsible for the concept of the Solar Roadshow that has since been replicated in several countries across the world. De Leon said that he continues to be thankful to WOSM, Greenpeace, Solafrica and now to PPM for the opportunity to be of service.
“I have always made myself available for these types of opportunity – to be able to pay it forward. In the same manner that I was given the opportunity to be trained and learn how the programme can be implemented to my Scouts, I am also giving my fellow Scout Leaders the opportunity to learn more about the programme and help us implement it down the line.”
The Scouts Go Solar (SGS) project is an environmen- tal partnership between the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Greenpeace and Solafrica, a Swiss NGO, working in close collaboration with the Kander- steg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland.
12 Photo © Edwin Lam Zhen De, Scouts Association of Malaysia 13 A Scout in Malaysia volunteers for his school’s River Restoration project
Photo © SAM@ALIFF AJWAD BIN MARZUKI International Relations, National Headquarter Office, Scouts Association of Malaysia 14 “As a Scout, I made it my personal mission to care for the environment, to protect it whenever necessary.” -- Sam-Luc Bilodeau, Scout and medical scientist
Thousands of students volunteered to make about “We were making about 25,000 mudballs a day, 178,900 enzymatic mudballs to aid the river and we were targeting for 150,000 mudballs. restoration project of a big university in Malay- What made it so exciting was the sheer num- sia. The enzymatic balls, made by hands, will be ber of the volunteers. Every day, our numbers thrown directly into the now polluted Damansara continued to increase, and every day, we met river located just at the back of the school. The new people. And we all had one thing in mind – river runs from Sungai Buloh until Shah Alam. to make some mudballs, and hopefully help in the restoration of the Damansara river,” Sam-Luc Sam-Luc Bilodeau, a Scout from Malaysia and added further. a medical scientist, volunteered for his school’s River Restoration project. On the fourth day of the project, and a day before throwing all the mudballs into the river, The enzymatic mudballs, made out of fruit peels officials from the Malaysia Book of Records came and mud will help the river by decomposing the in to inspect the quantity of the mudballs as the sludge. The decomposition of the sludge will organisers also sought to make a record for the produce nutrition that will in turn feed the oxy- largest mudball throwing event. From the target- gen-increasing phytoplankton. The resulting rise ed 150,000 mudballs, Sam-Luc and the rest of of oxygen in the river will activate the oxidative the volunteers managed to make 178,900 mud- bacteria, further acceleration the sludge decom- balls, beating their target by over 28,900 more. position. Finally, the big day came, and Sam-Luc and the All these things made Sam-Luc excited. To him, rest of the volunteers threw all 178,900 enzy- he was not only making himself productive by matic mudballs into the Damansara river. “For volunteering for the project, but he was already every throw I made, I felt like all the pain and contributing to protect and preserve the environ- tears finally paid off. Hopefully, with this initia- ment, an ode that he has made as a Scout. tive, and after all the research that were con- ducted by our team, we could slowly restore our “As a Scout, I made it my personal mission to river back to the way it was before.” care for the environment, to protect it whenever necessary. Scouting taught me the value of the The project sought to contribute towards the real- environment in our daily lives – humanity’s entire isation of Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 14 (Life life support system depends on the well-being of Below Water and Goal 15 (Life on Land) of the all the environmental factors,” he explained. United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
15 8,000 Cubs enjoy fun-filled Cubboree in Sri Lanka Over 8,000 Cubs from Sri Lanka, “We are giving special attention to the Maldives and India gathered for the changes that need to be made in our 12th National Cubboree of the Sri country’s educational system. We want Lanka Scout Association held on 6-8 to prepare our children and build an April 2019 in Siyane National College excellent future for them. That is why of Education, Veyangoda, Gampha we are looking at relevant programmes District. The Cubboree is Sri Lanka’s such as the Scout Movement to help our largest gathering for Cub Scouts and education experts on this front,” he added is organised once every three years. further. The theme of the event was “Mother Lanka – Our Heritage.” For the first time, a total of 239 Cub Scouts and leaders from South Asian Sri Lankan President Maithripala countries participated the event. The Sirisena personally attended the event was also attended by several event during its opening ceremony state officials from the government. and highlighted the importance of expanding and introducing Scouting to more young people in the country.
“The Scout Movement plays a very important role in building a gen- eration of young people rich in discipline and virtues. That is why there is a growing need to introduce Scouting to more young Sri Lankans, and have at least 25% of our school children join Scouting,” said President Sirisena. “We want to prepare our children and build an excellent future for them. That is why we are looking at relevant programmes such as the Scout Movement to help our education experts on this front.”
-- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena
Photos © Sri Lanka Scout Association 17 Local governments in Nepal send teachers, community leaders to undergo training with Scouts With reports from the National Headquarters of Nepal Scouts
In an interesting development for the Scout governments in the province. There were 18 Movement in Nepal, local government units in courses. its Province No. 1 sent their respective school teachers and community leaders to attend the Nepal Scouts organised such trainings in order 6-day Basic Unit Leader’s Training at Morang to produce a new batch of trained unit leaders in District’s Biratnagar from 16 to 21 April 2019. the country. Several discussions with provincial The training was attended by more than 550 and local governments took place with one goal teachers, community leaders and Scout leaders in mind – to reach out to more young people coming from all the 14 districts and 138 local across the country. For this to be realised, new 18 Photo © Nepal Scouts
unit leaders need to be trained about Scouting trainings in the province, along with the Ministry and the programme that it offers to the young of Youth and Sports. On the other hand, Nepal people. Scouts gathered its pool of training staff and as- signed them their respective courses. There were The trainings were organised in the premises 80 trained leaders that served throughout the of a local college with that has the adequate training courses. resources to run 18 training courses simultane- ously. Nepal’s Ministry of Social Development Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai of Province No. 1 covered the substantial work to organise the inaugurated the trainings, along with key minis- 19 Photos © Nepal Scouts
ters and members of the provincial parliament. During his address, Chief Minister Rai also He expressed his support to the Nepal Scouts assured Nepal Scouts that the provincial and to its massive training campaign being government will support all Scout activities conducted throughout the country. by way of providing funds and appropriations from the government. “This [training] marks the start of a long and productive partnership of the Provincial Gov- At the side-lines of the training courses, an ernment of No. 1 with the Nepal Scouts. We will orientation for local stakeholders was also make Scouting compulsory in the province, we conducted. This included college adminis- will empower our teachers and community lead- trators, school chiefs and owners of private ers to better train and prepare our young people schools. for the real world. This is our contribution to the next generation,” he said. “We thank the Nepal Scouts for introducing
20 Nepal Scouts organise such trainings in
Scouting to us. We will create Scout units order to produce in our schools, and we are more than certain that this programme will benefit our students and many other young people,” a new batch said Tikaram Puri, founder of a local college in Biratnagar and National President of the Private Schools Association in the province. of trained unit
Nepal Scouts will be conducting similar training courses in all seven provinces leaders in the in the country as part of its massive training campaign and in order to reach country. out to more young people.
21 Afghan Scouts visit US embassy in Kabul to promote peace Originally posted on Facebook (U.S. Embassy Kabul - http://bit.ly/2GXydf6)
KABUL, Afghanistan – United States Ambassador to Afghanistan John R. Bass received a couple of Scouts from the Afghanistan National Scout Organization who came to visit the US Embas- sy in Kabul on April 12 to promote peace and to celebrate the support of the United States for the Afghan Scouts.
The Scouts planted some seedlings at the Peace Garden with Ambassador Bass, played team-building games, made origami, and had a demonstration by the Embassy’s Fire Department.
It was a day full of fun and excitement for everyone involved.
Photos © U.S. Embassy Kabul 22 Photo © Korea Scout Association
Open Call: Applications for the SAPSC International Volunteer Programme
The Suncheon Asia-Pacific Scout the Korea Scout Association and its The Suncheon Asia-Pacific Support Centre (SAPSC) is pleased to announce Jeollanam-do Scout Council, and the Centre has been home to volunteers the open call for the applications for Government of Suncheon City. It is an from more than 20 different countries. the 2nd Term of its International educational centre as much as it is a Volunteer Programme. Scouting centre. Volunteers deliver the The application is open to Rover Scouts programmes in the centre, using Scout and Scout Leaders who are skilled, en- SAPSC is run in partnership between principles and they provide learning thusiastic and interested in the Korean the Asia-Pacific Region of the World services and opportunities to its visi- culture. The period for the second term Organization of the Scout Movement, tors and the young people of Korea. is specified below:
Term 2nd Term, SAPSC International Volunteer Programme Period Mid-August to Mid-November 2019
Interested parties are requested to apply thru this link
“SAPSC is a unique centre that is provides important services to its visitors. We teach kids, we improve their knowledge, we give them a reason to grow up with a passion for travelling and discovering new cultures, we help them improve their use of the English language,
and we have fun with them so that they leave the centre with great memories.” (Hope, SAPSC volunteer) 23 UPCOMING EVENTS
18th Korean National Rover Moot
We are pleased to share with you the invitation from the Korea Scout Association for their upcoming 18th National Rover Moot scheduled on 13-15 August 2019 at Julpo Bay, Mudflat Ecology Park, Buan Country, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.
The Rover Moot will feature various outdoor and indoor adventures, with emphasis on water activities. It will also feature the Korean culture which the participants may learn and enjoy throughout the moot.
Applications should be submitted to the National Rover Scout Council thru Ms Lisa Kim
APR Workshop on Good Governance
We are pleased to inform you that The General Association of the Scouts of China (TGA Scouts of China) will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Good Governance on 21-24 September 2019 at the Chientan Youth Activity Centre in Taipei City.
The workshop will gather senior leaders from National Scout Organiza- tions in the Asia-Pacific Region in order to help them better understand the essentials of good governance in Scouting. The workshop will also focus on equipping the participants with the methods, techniques and tools to be able to benchmark all ten (10) dimensions of the Global Support Assessment Tool (GSAT).
National Scout Organizations are requested to send their nominations by 30 June 2019. Inquiries and applications may be sent directly to Dr. Ie-Bin Lian, International Commissioner of The General Association of the Scouts of China at [email protected].
For more information, you may refer to their event page at https:// www.scout.org/node/528211.
24 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot 18th Korean National Rover Moot
We are pleased to share with you the invitation from Scouts Australia for the upcoming 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot / 21st Austral- ian Rover Moot scheduled from 30 December to experience local attraction and traditions, as well 2019 to 10 January 2020 at Canberra, Australia. as core Scouting skills.
The Rover Moot will include a wide and varied Applications are already open and will close on 30 programme showcasing the theme “Creating June 2019 for all international participants. For more Better Rovers”. The programme will include five information, visit the event’s website, www.cbrmoot. days of an expedition phase, as well as seven scouts.com.au or their Facebook page at www.face- APR Workshop on Good Governance dats of the participant’s choice of onsite and book.com/CBRmoot. You may also get in touch with offsite activities. Activities will provide a chance the Moot Secretariat at [email protected].
24th World Scout Jamboree 22 July - 2 August 2019
The theme for the 24th World Scout Jamboree is Unlock a New World and was developed by the youth bid team, also known as the Dream Team. This theme speaks to the new adventures, cultures, and friendships that will be shared by Scouts from around the world during the 12-day event in North America, a continent often referenced as a “New World.”
THE VENUE GEAR UP FOR THE WEATHER! The Summit Bechtel Reserve is The month of July is characterized by warm located in West Virginia, USA, and weather, with daily high temperatures around is comprised of more than 14,000 79 degrees F/ 26.1 degrees C and daily low acres (5,667 ha) of beautiful forest- temperatures around 62 degrees F/16.6 ed mountains adjacent to more than degrees C, and moderate to high humidity. 70,000 acres (28,328 ha) of national The site typically experiences partly cloudy park in the scenic New River Gorge conditions during the month with the possibility area of West Virginia. of thunderstorms and rainshowers.
25 SCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC
NEWSiNFO APRIL 1st Nepal National Rover Moot APR Good Governance WSC and WSF Meeting 31 May - 4 June, Nepal Sub Committee Meeting 4-7 April, Korea 20 September, Taipei City JUNE EDITORIAL and DESIGN TEAM 2nd Host Organizing Committee APR Staff Management Meeting APR Workshop on Good Governance 11-14 April, USA 19-20 June, Philippines 21-24 September, Taipei City
J. Rizal C. Pangilinan MoP Team Afghanistan Gathering Educational Methods Thematic OCTOBER Regional Director 17-21 April Team Meeting APR Consultants Pool Training 10-16 June 8-12 October, Thailand APR Adults in Scouting Workshop Luz Taray 21-24 April, Hong Kong JULY JOTA/JOTI Director, Communications 24th World Scout Jamboree 18-20 October and Partnerships APR Adults in Scouting 22 July-2 August, USA Sub-Committee Meeting Regional Scout Committee Meeting 25 April, Hong Kong AUGUST 18-20 October, Indonesia Theresa E. Quine International Scarf Day APR Scout Bazaar Management 1 August NOVEMBER Assistant, Communications Committee World Children’s Day and Partnerships 26-28 April, Philippines International Youth Day 20 November 12 August MAY DECEMBER Neil Christian C. Bolandrina MoP Thematic Team Meeting 23rd European Scout Conference International Volunteer’s Day Assistant, Communication 9-12 May, Germany 24-28 August, Croatia 5 December and Information Services RSC Meeting SEPTEMBER 3rd World Scout Education Congress 25-26 May, Japan 29th Arab Scout Regional Conference 7-10 December, Brazil Kenny Ralph S. Fernando 8-14 September, Egypt APR Scout Foundation World Non-Formal Education Project Officer, Management Committee International Day of Peace 9-11 December, Brazil Communications 21 September APR Scout Foundation 13th APR Rover Moot/ Fundraising Event World Scout Committee Meeting 21st Australian Rover Moot 26 May, Japan 27-29 September, Egypt 30 Dec-10 Jan 2020, Australia COMMUNICATION AND National Youth Involvement SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS Workshop 20-25 September, Pakistan
(+63 2) 818-0984 The APR NewsInfo provides an outlet for great Scout stories, news and updates in the Asia-Pacific Region to be told and shared to [email protected] the world.
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