© WSB Inc. / World Scouting © WSB Inc./ World 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium Report Scouting Development © World Scout Bureau Scouting Development June 2014 World Scout Bureau Rue du Pré-Jérôme 5 PO Box 91 CH – 1211 Geneva 4 Plainpalais Switzerland Tel.: (+ 41 22) 705 10 10 Fax: (+ 41 22) 705 10 20 [email protected] scout.org Reproduction is authorized to National Scout Organizations and Associations which are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Credit for the source must be given. 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium Report “The presence in our Movement of many religions is definitely a characteristic of extraordinary importance, which must be fully exploited also for peace promotion and construction.” (World Scout Conference Resolution 24/05) “The World Scout Movement is a privileged context to meet and reflect on educational aspects related to faiths and beliefs and to the development of the spiritual dimension.” (World Scout Conference Resolution 30/08) © Korea Scout Association 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium 3 Table of Contents Introductory Summary 5 Acknowledgements 7 Highlights from the Symposium 8 Ceremonies 8 Presentations and Seminars 9 V i s i t s 11 Evaluation 12 Symposium Agenda 15 Symposium Agenda 17 List of Participants 18 4 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium © Korea Scout Association Some topics addressed by the participants were: • What we mean by family and community Introductory • The significance of family and community in different religious traditions Summary • Supporting the growth of Scouting by working with families and communities • The significance of family and The 4th World Scout Inter-religious community for Youth Programme Symposium was organised from in Scouting the 1st to 5th August 2012 at WonKwang University, Iksan, South Korea. There were over 70 Participants were engaged in the participants from 16 countries coming symposium programme which included from 8 different faiths and beliefs seminars, small group work, visits to namely, Anglican, Buddhist, Catholic, religious centres (Buddhist Temple, Islam, Lutheran, Methodist, Protestant, Catholic church, Islamic Mosque and and Won-Buddhist. With generous Won-Buddhist Temple) and projects Korean hospitality the symposium was undertaken by religious communities very successful. in Korea. © WSB Inc. / World Scouting / World © WSBInc. The Korea Scout Association (KSA) The opening and closing ceremonies and the Korea Won-Buddhism Scouts were very well covered by the Korean Council jointly hosted the Symposium. media in Iksan, helping the cause It was organised with members of uplifting the image and profile of the World Scout Interreligious of Scouting in the country. The Forum (WSIF), an informal network ceremonies were well prepared and of religious groups/organizations in full of Korean cultural and spiritual Scouting, and was supported by the highlights. A professional event World Scout Bureau (WSB). The theme management team organized both of the Symposium was “Growing ceremonies. The ceremonies and Scouting through Families and all formal sessions during the event Communities” and the flow of began with the renewal of the Scout programme was planned according to promise, in keeping with the tradition the themes. of the Korea Scout Association. 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium 5 A Korean Youth Event was organised There were some challenges in the in parallel with the symposium. The organising of the event but the hosts aim of this Youth Event was to show backed the organisers (WSIF and the Korean young people different faiths WSB) to ensure that the event was and beliefs and them how they are successful. The event was organized living and working together in peace. during the holy month of Ramadan, The two events shared the ceremonies which limited the participation from and the resources of the venue. the Muslim world. However, they were still well represented, even if it was difficult for them. There was a strong The organisers recruited a large recommendation to check all religious service team from the University to occasions before identifying the date support the event, some of whom were of the next symposium. The weather Rovers and others, who as a result of was hot and humid which presented their experience, are now considering some difficulties for some participants, joining Scouting. particularly in the walk across the campus. All participants were hosted in the university dormitory, took their meals The joint hosts, the Korea Scout in the university cafeteria and were Association and the Korea Won- able to enjoy all university facilities. Buddhism Scouts Council, showed An external caterer was used and courage in persevering with the event provided both traditional Korean when it was threatened by cancellation because of a lack of participants. It is © Korea Scout Association Korea © dishes and those of an international style. The sessions were held in the believed that through building positive University main hall. The ceremonies encounters between young people took place in the university’s roman and adults belonging to various faiths amphitheatre. These campus facilities and religions, Scouting will certainly supplied all the needs of the event. contribute to the creation of a better Wonkwang University is in walking world. As we are always saying, we distance from Won-Buddhism HQ. are Messengers of Peace and these kinds of events are showing our strong message of our Peace education and The event had a special emphasis on environment. the involvement of communities and families in inter-religious dialogue and encouraged NSOs to send participants This report is an attempt to summarise below the age of 30. This helped some of the experiences and learning ensure a good balance of experience resulting from the 4th World Scout and youth amongst the participants. Inter-religious Symposium so that it is available for NSOs to use in their programme delivery, especially in the area of spiritual and religious development. Another longer report was compiled by the co-hosts and is available in Korean. © Korea Scout Association © Korea 6 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium © Korea Scout Association This symposium also was a success because of the great contribution from the World Scout Interreligious Forum members: Fr. Jonathan How, WOSM Advisor; Mr. Bray Barnes, International Conference of Catholic Scouts Acknowledgements (ICCS) World Chairman; Mr. Roberto Cociancich, ICCS World President; Dr. Zuhair H. Ghunaim, Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS); Ms. Ms. Inka Hopsu, Chairman of the Council of Protestant Guides and Scouts (CPGS); Prof. Dr. Yongyudh Vajaradul, Chairman of the World Scout Buddhist Brotherhood A sincere thanks to all who made the (WBSB); Mr. YOO, GwangSuk, Vice- Symposium possible: Chairman of WBSB. The Government of South Korea Mr. HAHM, JongHan, President of and and Public Authorities of Iksan. Korea Scout Association and Rev. Special thanks to Mr. Kim WanJu, KIM, DukYeong, Chairperson of Won- Procincial Govener of Jeollabukdo; Buddhist Council, KSA in coordination Mr. CHOI, JinHo, Chairperson of the with Mr. LEE, SeungHyun, Chairman of Provincial Assembly in Iksan; Mr. Catholic Council, KSA, worked hard to Lee, Jong Sik, Vice-Mayor of Iksan coordinate the efforts of the joint hosts © Korea Scout Association © Korea City; Dr. JEONG, SeHyun, President of Wonkwang University; Venerable HWANG, YeongGyu, Permanent Thanks also go to the rest of our hosts Member of Supreme Dharma Council; in the university and at the places we Venerable AHN, MinSoon, Chief visited and those who shared their Director of Edification Department of lives with us, and in particular to the Won-Buddhism. wonderful service team, for whom nothing was too much trouble 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium 7 © Korea Scout Association Highlights From Simon Hang-Bock Rhee, Chairman of the World Scout Committee, expressed his great happiness that The Symposium the symposium is generating great educational input for World Scouting in the area of spiritual development. Hahm JongHan, President of the Korea Scout Association, welcomed everybody to Korea and he expressed The ceremonies are an important his happiness in organizing this Ceremonies part of the symposium and provide important event in Korea. The an opportunity to express publicly speeches were followed by some Scouting values and the support of entertaining shows representing the civic society for Scouting. Korean tradition, religious harmony and Scouting values. At the end of At the Welcome Reception and dinner, the ceremony, Han Soo Lee, Mayor Kim WanJu, Governor of Jeollabukdo of Iksan, presented a plaque of welcomed the Symposium to the appreciation to the organizers. province and noted its significance for many different religions in Korea. He went on the suggest that just as During the symposium, the the Jeonju Bibimbab dish is famous participants had the opportunity to for deliciously mixing things together, visit the Won-Buddhism headquarters so religions should be in harmony and to meet with the Venerable together. Kyongsan, current Head Dharma Master of Won-Buddhism. This visit was followed by a tour in the Won- At the Opening Ceremony Kim WanJu Buddhism headquarters and museum, added the Korean saying that “Religion and an invitation to a generous dinner. is like supplying fresh water to a dirty world.” Dr Jeong SeHyun, President of WonKwang University expressed At the end of the symposium, all his welcome to the campus and his © Korea Scout Association © Korea the participants were invited to a hope that its discussions would make a farewell dinner followed by a fabulous contribution to peace. closing ceremony where some gifts and speeches was exchanged. A video showing in brief the symposium actions was also presented and appreciated by those present. 8 4th World Scout Interreligious Symposium Fr. Leo LeBlanc spoke about the family in the Catholic tradition. Since man is created in the image of God, he is both creative and created for living with others, and through the humanity of Jesus we become part of the family of God. Fr.