INbox@APR
July 2005
INbox@APR is published monthly by the Asia
Pacific Office of the World Scout Bureau.
To get a copy, send a request to publications@apr.scout.org
_____________________________________________________________________
WhatÕs
NEW
JUNE
2005
THAILAND ¥ 25th APR Jamboree is ÒJamboree for AllÓ
Scout or
not a Scout – this Jamboree is for you. The upcoming Regional Scout
Jamboree on 27 December 2005 – 03 January 2006 in Sattahip, Thailand is
open for young people from other organized youth associations outside Scouting.
National Scout Organizations are encouraged to invite non-Scouts who are of the
same age as specified for participants of the Jamboree and to join their
countryÕs main contingent.
At the
recent preparatory meeting of core organizers in Thailand, the JamboreeÕs most
important features are put in place, such as infrastructure,
secretariat, youth programme, public relations, general services, international
relations, risk management, health care, catering, transportation, finance,
fundraising and sponsorship, communications, and human resources (IST).
Apart
from the activities based on educational objectives, extra or optional
activities will be offered like submarine, para-sailing, go-carting,
marksmanship, etc. A day will be organized for Cub Scouts to visit the Jamboree
site.
SRI LANKA ¥ Mid-term strategic review shows good performance
Around fifty key Scout
Leaders of Sri Lanka Scout Association reviewed their national strategic plan,
which was first developed in August 2003. Partaking in the review include the
Chief Commissioner and National Executive Committee Chairman, many
commissioners as well as trainers. APR office, through S Prassanna Shrivastava,
led the 3-day strategic review.
Many objectives in the
3-year plan were assessed to be major accomplishments during the mid-term
period. Among these is the formulation of adult resources policy. Training
system has been streamlined. The government issued a circular promoting
Scouting in all schools. Scout leaders are provided with duty time while doing
Scouting. The plan to build a multi-storey and multi-purpose national office is
finalized. And what is most apparent is the membership growth by 50%, which is
from 16,000 in 2003 to 24,000 at present.
NEPAL ¥ Baden Powell Peak in Nepal
ItÕs a
new landmark thatÕs high and mighty. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil
Aviation of Nepal selected a peak with 5890 meters to be the Baden Powell Peak.
This peak, known as Urkema Peak in local language, is located in Lamtang Region
of Rasuwa District. No one has climbed this peak before. Now it is named the
Baden Powell Peak, which is to become a challenge and a destination for Scouts.
Baden Powell is the second foreigner to be honored with a mountain peak in
Nepal, after Jorge Everest. Nepal has identified 1311 mountain peaks and the
government allows only 326 peaks for climbing. After the announcement from the
government, the Baden Powell Peak is a new target for mountain climbers. Nepal
Scouts are organizing a maiden climb to the peak. Scouts and Scout leaders are welcome to join. Details will
be issued soon.
Journalists
receive award from Chief Scout
On the
occasion of NepalÕs Scout Day, which is 19 June, the Chief Scout who is the
countryÕs Minister of Education and Sports, created the Scout Journalism Award
for people in the media who cover various Scouting activities. Recipients of
the award are reporters from the National News Agency and the APCA House Pvt. Special
recognition was given to Nepal Samachar Patra Daily, the Image Channel Pvt. Ltd
and the Nispakshya Weekly.
USA AND JAPAN ¥ Scouts and volunteers support Afghanistan
When Grant Samms, a life Scout in Boy Scouts of America, learned
that many children in Afghanistan canÕt go to school due to lack of funds, he
made a vow to raise money to send 500 Afghan boys and girls to school. Grant
worked hard to produce US$1250 by fundraising, holding silent auction, selling
hot chocolates and brownies, and asking Scouts and Scouters to donate loose
change during district meetings and other Scout activities. The amount has been
forwarded to Asia Pacific Regional Office through the Boy Scouts of America.
In Japan, five volunteers formed a group called AJSEP (Afghanistan-Japan
Scout Exchange Project). Together, they raised US$1000 to sponsor Scout
projects in Afghanistan through the Asia Pacific Regional Office. The amount
will be used for the training of unit leaders to be organized in Kabul this
July.
INDONESIA ¥ Regional Committee visit mangrove restoration site
On the
occasion of the Gerakan PramukaÕs (GP) Annual General Meeting, the APR team
comprised of Chairman Eric Khoo, former chairman Anthony Thng, Regional
Director Abdullah Rasheed, APR Scouting Profile Sub-Committee Chairman Dr
Mukhyuddin and NSOT International Commissioner Sutham Phanthusak paid a
courtesy visit to Indonesia. The APR team attended the opening of the annual
meeting presided by the Minister of Youth and Sports, where Eric Khoo presented
APR Awards to Rivai Harahap and Pandji Soesilo. The award for Gen. Mashudi (see
Gone Home)
could not be presented in person and was received by Vice Chairman Parni Hadi
on his behalf.
The APR
team had separate working meetings with GP
officials who made a briefing on the two-month Community Development Camp
(COMDECA), which is a wide variety of community development work in Bandar Aceh
under the Tsunami rehabilitation programme. The COMDECA will start on 14th
August and will end on 14th September.
On 18 June,
the APR team also witnessed a huge project undertaken by GP in Kronjo Village
for the mangrove restoration, which is a joint project among the Kronjo
community, the government, and the Scouts. The Minister for Fisheries and
Marine Resources led the activity and commended the ScoutsÕ work in marine
environmental protection.
INDONESIA ¥ Scouts plant mangrove seeds
Gerakan
PramukaÕs Scouts Care Task Force, in cooperation with Indonesia's Marine and
Fisheries Department, planted around a thousand mangrove seeds at Kronjo
Village, a traditional fisheries village, around 100 kilometers from Jakarta.
Besides planting, the Scouts trained local people in recycling organic wastes.
Hundreds of Scouts with local people and a non-governmental organization
cleaned up the beaches.
Scouts
will do a similar project on mangrove restoration in Aceh Province, the most
devastated province hit by the tsunami. Mangrove restoration is only one of
many COMDECA projects of Gerakan Pramuka.
BANGLADESH ¥ Bangladesh National University recognizes Rover
Programme
Bangladesh National University has introduced to add 25 marks for
Rover Scout syllabus in the graduation examination in all colleges in the
university. This is a strategy of
both Bangladesh Scouts and the university to improve on the quality and
quantity of the Rovering programme.
HONG KONG ¥ Tying Solidarity with Africa
A Scout Leader in Hong Kong, Mr Kay Lam, who is in shoe
manufacturing, is shipping 500 pairs of shoes for young Scouts in Africa. Mr
Lam is the Honorary Consul for Uganda in the Hong Kong and a member of the
Baden Powell Masonic Lodge of the Irish Constitution.
AUSTRALIA ¥ Air-Internet Jamboree
Information
on the preparations for the forthcoming second APR Air–Internet Jamboree
scheduled for the weekend of 6-7 August is available at http://www.scouts.com.au and NSOs have
started making preparations for the event. Steve Pecker, on behalf of Scouts Australia, which is
hosting the event, is putting up answers to questions being raised. Log on to
the web site and NSOs which have not appointed a co-coordinator are encouraged
to do so.
SINGAPORE ¥ Launch of Scouts of the World
Singapore Scouts Association is launching the ÒScout of the World
ProgrammeÓ. The programme offers
young people an opportunity to acquire individual skills through the
preparation of the SW Award and then invites them to join the SW Network. Earlier, Hong Kong and Mongolia
have expressed interest in joining the Scouts of the World Programme. The Scouts will work to develop and support projects in the
fields of environment, development and peace (the Millennium Development Goals
proposed by the United Nations).
INDIA ¥ 15th National Jamboree 2005
Bharat
Scouts & Guides/India extends invitation to its national Jamboree on 16-22
October 2005 in Neel-Dhara, Haridwar in Uttaranchal Pradesh. The place is known
as a city for piousness and a gateway for pilgrimages. For information, email tbsgnet@del2.vsnl.net.in.
JAPAN ¥ 14th
Nippon Jamboree 2006
Whether
one is after having a taste of the Japanese way of life or for a purely camping
experience – the Jamboree offers both. The Scout Association of Japan invites countries to send
participants to the 14th Nippon Jamboree next year, on 3-7 August
2006 in a campsite named ÒRefresh VillageÓ in Hachigasaki in Ishikawa
Prefecture. The Jamboree expects
22,000 young people from Japan and around 600 from other countries.
KIRIBATI ¥ New line-up of leaders
National
Commissioners in Kiribati have come up with a fresh mandate of volunteers who
will oversee Scouting in Kiribati. The following Scout leaders hold these key
positions - Chief Commissioner is Titi Rimon,
International Commissioner is Tiroia Tabwea, Public Relations Commissioner is
Takabwea Bawarantarawa.
MALAYSIA ¥ Leaders renew commitment
Persekutuan
Pengakap Malaysia held its 23rd Annual General Meeting on 25th
June where the assembly elected Tan Sri Haji Abdul Rafie bin Mahat as Vice
Chairman and Dato Kaharudin bin Momin as Treasurer. Chief Commissioner Col Prof
DatoÕ Dr Haji Kamarudin bin Haji Kachar took the lead in organizing the
assembly. The meeting ended well with relevant resolutions to rebuild the
association befitting a 21st century organization. The new team was
acclaimed for their renewed commitment and dedication towards better Scouting.
APR Chairman Eric Khoo was invited to witness the election process.
REGION ¥ New Projects for rehabilitation after tsunami
Another 17
additional project proposals have been received for consideration – 16
from Indonesia and one re-submitted project from Seychelles Scout Association.
A report on the Tsunami Scout Aid Fund will be formally presented at the
forthcoming Regional Committee Meeting in Thailand in July, and a booklet will
be produced for distribution at the World Scout Conference in Tunisia.
REGION ¥ Media Projectors for training
centers
For the
enhancement of training, APR office donated media projectors to training
centers in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Mongolia. The multi-media projectors
will cater to the increasing training demands in the above-cited countries.
REGION ¥ Executive Attachment/Internship
in APR
APR office
issued a circular on Executive Attachment and Internship Programme at the
regional office in Manila. The
programme provides opportunities to Scout Executives and potential Scout
Executives as well as young adults fresh from universities to apply for
attachment or internship with the purpose of acquiring knowledge and experience
in office and field operations of Scouting.
REGION ¥ APR RoverNet update
A
detailed note on the upcoming World Youth Forum in Tunisia is up in the APR
RoverNet coming from Edward Cook, Chairman of the Young Adult Member Group. His
thoughts on the forum are based on his experiences and insights from the
planning meeting he attended recently. Rovers in the region are encouraged to fully use the APR
RoverNet. If you are interested, register at http://groups.msn.com/APRRoversComCenter.
REGION ¥ Golden anniversary badge
APRÕs
50th anniversary logo badge is being manufactured in large quantities and would
be ready for distribution at the July committee meeting in Thailand and Heads
of Contingents visit. The logo badge will be sold through the National Scout
Organizations at cost price and large stocks can be bought at the APR Jamboree in December.
GONE HOME ¥ General Mashudi, Indonesia
General
Mashudi, a highly respected and prominent Scout leader in Gerakan Pramuka
passed away on 22 June 2005. He was a recipient of the Bronze Wolf Award and a
former member of APR Scout Committee.
Just last month, he was presented the Asia-Pacific Regional
Distinguished Award in Jakarta for his outstanding leadership and invaluable
contributions to Scouting.
WhatÕs
ON
JULY
2005
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ¥ Formal Opening of NHQ Building
The 3rd of July marks the formal opening of the NHQ
building of Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam in Seri Begawan by
the Sultan of Brunei who came for the function in full Scout uniform. After the
function the Sultan toured the whole complex. The APR team comprised of
Chairman Eric Khoo, Chief Commissioner of Singapore Nicholas Tang, together with the Vice Chairman of
APR Committee Haji Zainal Abidin and Immediate past Chairman Anthony Thng, NSOT
International Commissioner Sutham Phanthusak and RD were present to witness the
occasion. During the visit APR Team also met the President and the Chief Scout
together with the new Chief Commissioner Haji Badar and
held a working dinner for the promotion of the APR Jamboree and for other
matters related to the development of Scouting in the country.
NEW ZEALAND ¥
Meningitis Trust Street Appeal
Scouting New Zealand supports the street appeal of the Meningitis
Trust Appeal Office for a nationwide fundraising event to help raise funds and
awareness of Meningitis Trust on 8 July. The Meningitis Trust is a national
charity, with a strong community focus, that supports families and individuals affected
by Meningitis. Established in New Zealand in 2002, it was formed as a direct
response to the demand for information about the signs and symptoms of
meningitis from worried parents and individuals.
THAILAND ¥ Regional Committee and Sub-Committee Meetings
All sub-committee meetings have confirmed a quorum for the
upcoming meetings of:
¥
APR Program Sub-Committee on 28 and 29 July
¥ APR Management
Sub-Committee /APR Adult Resources Sub-Committee/ APR Financial Resources
Sub-Committee/
ScoutingÕs Profile Sub-Committee on 29 July
¥ Foundation
Management Committee in the afternoon of 29 July
¥ APR Scout Committee
on 30-31 July
The meeting of the 2006-2007 Task Force is now moved from 1 August
to 31 July to pave the way for a request for an APES (Asia Pacific Evergreen
Scouters) gathering on 1st of August.
KOREA ¥ International Rover Moot
The APR comprising of immediate Past Chairman Anthony Thng, Sutham
Phanthusak together with RD is meeting key leaders from 12-16 July for the
promotion of the APR Jamboree in Korea in conjunction with the International
Rover Moot that will be held in Mt Sorak Korea and in Mt Geumgang in North
Korea. Rovers will cross the border en route to climb Mt Geumgang in North
Korea.
With the
persistent request from Afghanistan Scouts, the second Afghanistan Basic
Training Course will be held from 17 – 23 July in Kabul for around 50
Unit Scout Leaders. Members of training team are from Bharat Scouts and Guides,
Pakistan Boy Scouts association and Mr Thian Hiong-Boon from the APR office.
This will be the
second consecutive year that APR is organizing the Basic Course in Kabul. APR
is also making arrangements to provide the second batch of membership badges to
Afghanistan. Afghanistan membership badges are among the selected badges from
APR which are on sale through internet under the auspices of SCORE. (Badges
currently available on the internet are Kiribati, Maldives, and Mongolia.
Bhutan badge will be added soon).
WhatÕs UP
AUGUST
2005
CHINA-JAPAN-KOREA (CJK) ¥ Rovers start new project
Another
project of CJK Rovers is brewing this August in Marikina, Philippines. CJK
Rovers have long established a project with Filipino Rovers in Marikina specifically
for the provision of health information and visit to families in settlement
areas.
MACAU ¥ PAPUA NEW GUINEA ¥ Course for Assistant Leader Trainers
(CALT)
Regular
correspondence is currently taking place with Macau and Papua New Guinea as the
CALT will be organized in the first two weeks of August. Macau course is on 1-7
August while PNG is on 8-14 August. APR Office coordinates the invitation of
leader trainers who will possibly come from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia for
the Macau course; and from Singapore, NZ, Australia and possibly UK for the PNG
course.
MONGOLIA ¥ Mongolian 3rd National Jamboree
The
picturesque Khentii Mountains, 25 km from Ulaanbaatar, will be home for Scouts
in Mongolia and from other countries during the national Jamboree this 10-17
August. Members of the APES (Asia Pacific Evergreen Scouts) will visit Mongolia
from 10-14 August to take part in the Jamboree opening. Part of their activities is to
experience the ger (traditional national accommodation) located near the campsite.
Timelines
15 July 2005. Deadline for sending
reply slip for the Gift for Peace Project.
31 July 1005. Deadline for response
to APR Advanced Unit Leader Training for the Rover Section
Publications/inbox07.2005
05 July 2005
llt/wsb-apr