SCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION NEWS NFO MAY & JUNE 2019 VOLUME 51, ISSUE NOs. 5 & 6
Scouts contribute to the SDGs, implement environmental protection story on page 2
Earth Hour 2019: Scouts working together to protect nature Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Hong Kong opens Scouts in Myanmar join other Centenary with first Rover Moot new centennial building youth and civil society groups 8 to clean up Yangon14 COVER STORY
Scouts contribute to the SDGs, implement environmental protection
Kim Robert C de Leon, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Scouts and Scout Leaders from reduction by way of recycling papers, Navotas City Council of the Boy cartons, and PET bottles, among oth- Scouts of the Philippines bring the ers. In exchange, participating Scouts message of peace to the next level. earn points that they can exchange This time, Messengers of Peace in for vouchers to defray expenses for this part of the country are taking on their Scout membership fees, Scout a greater challenge - environmental uniforms, camping and other activity protection. fees, as well as other school supplies and materials.
Through the Program Enabling Active Dr. Salita L. Salaysay Citizenship and Environmentalism Given these mechanics, it provides Principal of Tanza Elementary School through Scouting (P.E.A.C.E. through opportunity for young people who Scouting) project, Scouts are encour- have not joined the Scout Movement part of the Scout Movement aged to be actively involved in waste because of financial challenges, to be simply by earning points through 2 Photo (c) World Scout Bureau / Theresa E Quine
Elementary School, shared that the help more than 5,000 Scouts and overwhelming support of all stake- some other 5,000 young people who holders has resulted in the collection are actively supporting the project. of significant quantity of recyclable materials that could have gone into With the sustained implementation of the dump sites if not properly dis- PEACE through Scouting project, it is posed. expected the Scout membership in Na- votas City will increase and active par- In their school, Girls Scouts and mem- ticipation in activities will be sustained bers of other school organisations especially those from low-income have also pledged their support and families. This will be made possible participation to PEACE through Scout- while contributing in the protection their recyclable materials. This ing project, making Tanza Elementary of the environment through waste man- strategy will pave the way for School as the highest contributor to the agement and recycling. membership growth in Navotas project in their community as of the first City, north of the Philippine capital semester of 2019. The PEACE through Scouting Project is Manila, by targeting young people supported by the Messengers of Peace of Scouting age who come from According to Mr Kim Robert C de Fund through the Diversity and Inclu- low-income families. Leon, Project Officer of the PEACE sion Challenge of WOSM’s Asia-Pacific through Scouting project, the initia- Region. It is an active contribution of In Tanza Elementary School, PEACE tive was already able to recover more Scouts from the Philippines towards the through Scouting is implemented than 4,800 kilograms of paper prod- attainment of the Sustainable Develop- with the support of all stakeholders - ucts and more than 1,100 kilograms ment Goals Nos. 10 (Reduced Inequal- the school administration, teachers, of plastic products that are mostly ities), 12 (Responsible Consumption parents, and the village youth council. PET bottles. Points earned from these and Production) and 17 (Partnership Dr Salita L Salaysay, Principal of Tanza recycled materials are expected to for the Goals). 3 Through the Program Enabling Active Citizenship and Environmentalism through Scouting (P.E.A.C.E. through Scouting) project, Scouts are encouraged to be actively involved in waste reduction by way of recycling papers, cartons, and PET bottles, among others. In exchange, participating Scouts earn points that they can exchange for vouchers to defray expenses for their Scout membership fees, Scout uniforms, camping and other activity fees, as well as other school supplies and materials.
4 5 OUR REGION
APR Scout Foundation meets in Japan, renews commitment to support in Scouting
Leonisa M Capinlac, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre
On the side-lines of the Asia-Pacific how their financial contributions helped, and Regional Scout Committee meeting in continue to help various Scout projects and Kagoshima, about 100 Scouts and Scout communities across the Asia-Pacific Region, Leaders from Japan and some neighbour- giving them opportunities to grow as respon- ing countries gathered on 26 May 2019 sible individuals. for a fundraising event organised by the APR Scout Foundation. The gathering was able to generate about US$ 9,000.00 in contributions, both from ex- On that special evening, members of the APR isting members and new members. It was also Scout Foundation, including some new en- graced by Mr Takeshi Iwakiri, Vice Governor trants, gathered to raise funds anew, and saw of the Kagoshima Prefecture. 6 Photo (c) Scout Association of Japan
In his address, Dr Chao, Shou-Po, Presi- open new and exciting opportunities for our dent of the APR Scout Foundation Man- young people, and we will continue working agement Committee, said the Foundation hand in hand with the APR Scout Committee will continue to support Scouting and its and the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific programmes. Support Centre.
“The APR Scout Foundation is once again The event was organised by the Scout renewing its commitment to provide sup- Association of Japan thru Mr Paul Mu- port for the Scout Movement across the rayama, and is the Foundation’s first Asia-Pacific Region. Our focus for this trien- fundraising event for the new triennium nium is ‘Leadership Development’. We will (2018-2021).
7 The APR Scout Foundation is once again renewing its commitment to provide support for the Scout Movement across the Asia-Pacific Region. Our focus for this triennium is ‘Leadership Development’. We will open new and exciting opportunities for our young people. -- Dr Chao, Shou-Po, President of the APR Scout Foundation Management Committee
8 Photos (c) Scout Association of Japan 9 Congratulations to the winners of the 17th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Photo Contest.
This year, we received more than 200 amazing entries from 15 National Scout Organizations. These stunning photos capture the inspiring work that Scouts are doing across the region. The theme, “Scouts4SDGs”, high- lights Scouting’s action-oriented approach to education and its continuing work to equip young people with the competencies to be active citizens and contribute to sustainable development. #Scouts #Scouts4SDGs #GlobalGoals
Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Bronze Prize Ployrung Saptasewee Thailand, Bronze Prize Bang-Ning Lai TGASC, Bronze Prize 10 Asif Mehmood Pakistan, Gold Prize
Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Silver Prize
Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Bronze Prize
Sarwar Mohammad Shahriar Bangladesh, Silver Prize 11 OUR NSO
With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, Boy Scouts of the Philippines visit mangrove nursery as part of SW Award Discovery
12 Photos (c) Sctr. Mark Anthony Baloaloa and Sctr. Rani Corpuz, the Philippines Boy Scouts of
With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, Boy Scouts of the Philippines E
Fifty Scouts and Scout Leaders from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines’ Ilocos Region attended the 3-day Scouts of the World (SW) Award Discovery held at Lingayen, Pangasinan on 28-30 June 2019. The discovery focused on environ- ment as its field of action where Scouts were brought to Bolinao town to observe and explore bay areas currently being forested and reforested with mangroves. They also visited the Provincial Mangrove Information Centre and Nursery and were taught all about mangroves, including practical applications of how to plant mangroves, basic care and actual cleaning.
SW Award Discovery is the first stage in the process of the SW Award Programme. It gives Scouts and non-Scouts the opportunity to explore and discover issues faced by local communities.
The SW Award is granted to individuals who have successfully accomplished an SW Discovery, an SW Voluntary Service, and joined the SW Award Network.
13 The discovery focused on environment as its field of action where Scouts were brought to Bolinao town to observe and explore bay areas currently being forested and reforested with mangroves.
14 The discovery focused on environment as its field of action where Scouts were brought to Bolinao town to observe and explore bay areas currently being forested and reforested with mangroves.
15 Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Centenary with first Rover Moot
In the first ever Rover Moot of Nepal Scouts organization in Nepal. Seeing young people to celebrate the Rover Centenary, Prime participate brings me great pleasure with Minister and Patron of Nepal Scouts, Mr. K.P. a Scouting programme that provides them Sharma Oli, greeted the young people from with a sense of sharing, caring, and cultural different parts of Nepal who took part in this exchange,” said the Prime Minister. historic event. The Rover Moot was held on 31 May – 4 June “Scouting should be an ideal youth 2019 in Pokhara, which gathered nearly 3,000 16 Scouting should be an ideal youth organization in Nepal. Seeing young people participate brings me great pleasure with a Scouting programme that provides them with a sense of sharing, caring, and cultural exchange.
-- Prime Minister and Patron of Nepal Scouts, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli Photos (c) Nepal Scouts
participants from different parts of Nepal, Chief Scout and Honourable Minister of Youth including Rovers from Bangladesh, Hong and Sports Mr. Jagat Bahadur Sunar chaired Kong, India, Malaysia and The General Asso- the opening and acknowledged that Nepal ciation of the Scouts of China. Adding value Scouts has stepped into a new era and will be to the Moot was its location, Pokhara, con- the leading youth movement in the country. He sidered the gateway to world-famous treks said that Nepal Scouts will catch pace in devel- around the Annapurna ranges. opment by reaching out to more young people to expand membership. 17 Nepal Scouts intensifies training on WOSM’s Better World Framework
With reports from Ram Prasad Bhattarai, Nepal Scouts
As a response to the growing clamour for his speech, he stressed on the need for capacity building trainings for unit lead- membership growth, and for young people ers about the flagship programmes of the to be trained under the Scout programme. World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Nepal Scouts organised a Better World “There is a need for us to bring and intro- Promotion Training at Pokhara, Nepal on 25- duce Scouting to more Nepalese youth. 29 May 2019. The training was preceded by To do this, there is a need for our Scout Nepal Scouts’ 1st Rover Moot. Leaders to be trained about the programmes of Scouting.” About 60 unit leaders participated in the train- ing coming from the different district Scout He also expressed his desire to help in this offices of thee Nepal Scouts. mission. “I am committing myself to help forward the cause of Scouting in our country. Hon. Rajib Pahari, a member of the Parliament We will make every young person a Messenger of Gandaki Province inaugurated the event. In of Peace.” 18 Photos (c) Nepal Scouts
Since 2017, Nepal Scouts had organised several Messengers of Peace (MoP) trainings There is a need for us to bring for its unit leaders and is among the top ten and introduce Scouting to more countries with big contributions in terms of the Nepalese youth. To do this, there is number of registered users at Scout.org, the a need for our Scout Leaders to be number of service projects and the number of service hours. trained about the programmes of Scouting. The Better World Promotional Training was facilitated by MoP NSO Co-ordinators from -- Hon. Rajib Pahari, a member of the Parliament neighbouring National Scout Organizations - of Gandaki Province, Nepal Yasser Sarona from the Philippines and Wan- yada Budhtranon from Thailand. The event was co-ordinated by Ram Prasad Bhattarai, MoP NSO Co-ordinator for Nepal. 19 Hong Kong opens new centennial building
Castor Wong, Scout Association of Hong Kong
The Scout Association of Hong Kong formally able Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, inaugurated its centennial building on April 20. officiated the opening ceremony with Officially called the “Hong Kong Scout Centenni- the presence of ranking officials from the al Building,” the structure is a 21-storey building government. that was redeveloped from the former 5-storey Tang Shiu-kin Building which serves as the World Scout Committee Chairman Craig Regional Headquarters for the Hong Kong Turpie was also present during the event, Island Region. along with 23 other Scout Leaders from neighbouring National Scout Organiza- The towering structure marks a significant tions. milestone in the continuous development of the Scout Movement in the country. The Hong Kong Scout Centennial Build- ing incorporated many sustainable Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special building designs, including sun shading Administration Region and Chief Scout of the fins to reduce energy penetration and Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Honour- natural ventilation for the staircase and
20 Photos (c) Scout Association of Hong Kong
The towering structure marks a significant milestone in the continuous development of Scouting in the country.
lift lobbies. The building accommodates an Inte- Badge). On the other hand, the Scout Inter- grated Training Centre, Aviation Training Centre, mediate Air Activity Training has 12 Logitech a Performing Arts Centre and an Art Gallery, desktop flight simulators. All precision flight as well as logistic facilities such as Scout Shop, controls are the leading manufacturer of Scout Library and Multi-purpose Hall. FAA-approved aviation training devices and flight simulator technology. The Aviation Training Centre is equipped with two full motion flight simulators, one desktop With the new building, the Scout Association flight simulator and one A330 FMGS trainer of Hong Kong hopes to provide better for Ventures, Rover Scouts and Leader Training venues and facilities for Scout trainings (Air Activity Badge - basic to advanced Aircrew in the country.
21 Scouts help farmers harvest their crops for free
A group of Rover Scouts from Bangladesh Scouts’ crops and the rice. They also couldn’t afford to hire Helds Open Scout Group in Phulpur, Mymensingh rice harvesters due to the high wages,” he said. are helping poor farmers harvest crops from their paddy fields at no cost. The activity is part of the “It is because of these situations that made our group group’s social activities. decide to help these farmers, to cut off the paddy from the lands of the poor farmers; and we do this Helds Open Scout Group is known in the entire voluntarily. We’re targeting to help at least 11 farm- region for its community development projects and ers,” he added further. activities previously conducted. The group is led by Tasafik Haq Nafi. When asked why they selected The Scout group is composed of about 50 Rover the farmers in Phulpur as the beneficiaries of their Scouts who all willingly devoted their time to help community development activity, Nafi stated that the out the farmers in Phulpur. farmers in Phulpur are the most vulnerable. One of the farmers, Abu Bakr Siddique, has been “These are poor farmers, they till their lands in order suffering from cancer for over two years. “I have been to sell the harvest and earn some money. However, suffering from cancer for two years. I am penniless for they don’t have enough manpower to harvest the the treatment and I have no money to hire people to
22 harvest my crops.”
Siddique is among those who paddy fields were har- vested by the Rover Scouts. He sold his harvest at the It is my first time to harvest market which earned him some cash, allowing him to rice and crops, and the expe- buy medicine for his treatment and medication. rience was very good. What
Milon Mia, a Rover Scout who participated in the made the experience more activity hopes to volunteer is such activities more fulfilling is the fact that we often. “It is my first time to harvest rice and crops, and were able to help the farmers the experience was very good. What made the expe- rience more fulfilling is the fact that we were able to earn a living, and allow them help the farmers earn a living, and allow them to buy to buy the essential things the essential things they need,” she narrated. they need.
The initiative gained traction and other volunteers -- Rover Scout Milon Mia, Helds Open Scout from the public and private sectors also came to Group Phulpur, Mymensingh help out. The Bangladesh Scouts has since sent more Scouts to help out, including providing the Scout group with some monetary assistance for the initiative.
Photos (c) Bangladesh Scouts
23 PARTNERSHIP STORY
Scouts in Myanmar join other youth and civil society groups to clean up Yangon
With reports from Alex Kaung Myat Htoo, Coordinator for Communications and International Affairs, Myanmar Scout
Nearly 100 Rovers and Scouts banded to- Zaw Min Naing, a Scout who volunteered gether in the early morning of May 1 to clean in the clean-up was very eager to help out, up a garbage-filled back street in downtown saying that it is a Scout’s primary duty to Yangon. A civil society group, Clean Yangoon, help the community. “I joined this activity spearheaded the activity in partnership with because Scouts should always be prepared Myanmar Scout and the Yangon City Develop- to render service when called for, and to ment Committee. help the community whenever necessary. Cleaning our beautiful city and educating The clean-up lasted for eight hours, from 7am the people about proper waste segregation to 3pm at the innermost area of the 42nd Street is my way of helping our community. That is which was filled with garbage and sewages what Scouts do, and I am glad to be a part with a depth of almost three feet. of this.” 24 ...it is a Scout’s primary duty Photos (c) Myanmar Scout to help the community.
-- Scout volunteer Zaw Min Naing, Myanmar Scout
On the other hand, he also expressed his care and protect the environment. worries about the sheer amount of garbage in the back streets of Yangon. “The environment is an important part to a Scout’s life and training, and we been “People really need to be aware about how connecting with the environment, learning to manage their garbage properly and from nature and taking positive action for systematically. The rampant throwing of the local and global environments since garbage anywhere, with sheer disregard Baden-Powell founded the Scout Movement to standing laws and state policies should in 1907. As the world continues to face a be handled sternly by the city government, lot of environmental challenges, a Scouts, and the people should be made aware of we are dutybound to contribute to prevent its impact to the overall hygiene and health any further damages to the global environ- condition of the neighbourhood,” ment,” he said. he lamented. Scouts and non-Scouts who volunteered Chief Commissioner Tin Nyo of the Myanmar during the clean-up activity committed to Scout expressed his full support for the en- bring more volunteers for future clean-up deavour, saying that it is a Scout’s mandate to activities. 25 UPCOMING EVENTS
18th Korean National Rover Moot
The Korea Scout Association invites Rover Scouts to 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
For more information, you may refer to their event page at https://www.scout.org/node/528061.
APR Workshop on Good Governance
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 Organizations 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 bench- mark all ten (10) dimensions of the Global Support Assessment Tool (GSAT).
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.
26 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot
18th Korean National Rover Moot
Scouts Australia will host the upcoming 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot / 21st Australian Rover Moot scheduled from 30 December 2019 to 10 January 2020 at Canberra, Australia.
The Rover Moot will include a wide and varied programme showcasing the theme “Creating Better Rovers”. The programme will include five days of an expedition phase, as well as seven days of the participant’s choice of onsite For more information, visit the event’s website, www.cbrmoot. and offsite activities. Activities will provide a chance to scouts.com.au or their Facebook page at www.facebook. experience local attraction and traditions, as well as core com/CBRmoot. You may also get in touch with the Moot Scouting skills. Secretariat at [email protected].
Open Call: Applications for the APR Workshop on Good Governance SAPSC International Volunteer Programme
The Suncheon Asia- to its visitors and the young people of Korea. Pacific Scout Centre The Suncheon Asia-Pacific Support Centre has been (SAPSC) is pleased to home to volunteers from more than 20 different countries. announce the open call for the applications for the 2nd The application is open to Rover Scouts and Scout Term of its International Leaders who are skilled, enthusiastic and interested Volunteer Programme. in the Korean culture. The period for the second term is specified below: SAPSC is run in partnership between the Asia-Pacific Term Region of the World Organ- 2nd Term, SAPSC International Volunteer Programme ization of the Scout Movement, the Korea Scout Association and its Jeollanam-do Scout Council, and the Government of Period Suncheon City. Mid-August to Mid-November 2019
It is an educational centre as much as it is a Scouting centre. Interested parties are requested to apply thru this link
27 SCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC NEWSiNFO MAY International Youth Day 20-25 September, Pakistan MoP Thematic Team Meeting 12 August International Day of Peace 9-12 May, Germany 21 September 5 NSOs Membership Growth EDITORIAL and DESIGN TEAM RSC Meeting Coordinators Meet APR Workshop on Good 25-26 May, Japan 16-17 August, Malaysia Governance 21-24 September J. Rizal C. Pangilinan APR Scout Foundation APR NSOs Membership Growth Regional Director Management Committee Coordinators Meet World Scout Committee Meeting 18-20 August, Malaysia 27-29 September, Egypt APR Scout Foundation Fundraising Event 23rd European Scout Conference OCTOBER Luz Taray 26 May, Japan 24-28 August, Croatia APR Consultants Pool Training Director, Communications 9-12 October, Thailand 1st Nepal National Rover Moot APR Staff Development Workshop and Partnerships 31 May - 4 June, Nepal 30 August - 3 September JOTA/JOTI 18-20 October JUNE SEPTEMBER Theresa E. Quine 5th APR NSO MoP Coordinators APR Programme Sub-Committee Regional Scout Committee Meeting Assistant, Communications Gathering Meeting 18-20 October, Indonesia 9-13 June 2019, Thailand 6 September and Partnerships NOVEMBER APR Staff Management Meeting National Diversity & Inclusion World Children’s Day 19-20 June, Philippines Workshop 20 November Neil Christian C. Bolandrina 8-11 September, Brunei Darussalam Educational Methods Thematic DECEMBER Assistant, Communication Team Meeting 29th Arab Scout Regional International Volunteer’s Day and Information Services 10-16 June Youth Forum 5 December 1-6 September JULY 3rd World Scout Education Congress Kenny Ralph S. Fernando 24th World Scout Jamboree 29th Arab Scout Regional Conference 7-10 December, Brazil 22 July-2 August, USA 8-14 September, Egypt Project Officer, World Non-Formal Education Communications AUGUST APR Governance Sub-Committee 9-11 December, Brazil International Scarf Day Meeting 1 August 20 September 13th APR Rover Moot/ 21st Australian Rover Moot National Youth Involvement 30 Dec-10 Jan 2020, Australia COMMUNICATION AND Workshop SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
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