INbox@APR         June 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

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What’s NEW

 

MAY 2005

 

REGION • PNG Scouts get van and computers

The Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore (SCAS) donated to APR office a 10-seater van, which the APR has opted to give to Scouts in Papua New Guinea. Another 25 computer units from a Singapore-based organization named INITIATE will soon be handed over to PNG Scouts through the regional office. This is the second round of donations from INITIATE. In 2003 the first batch of over 100 computer were given to local councils of Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Former Chairman Anthony Thng initiated the donation from SCAS.

 

REGION • A refreshing look at Scouts in action

This year’s batch of uplifting Scouting images in pictures were chosen during the 3rd APR Scout Photo Contest by a panel of judges headed by Mr Takeyoshi Tanuma, President of Japan Photographers Association. Winners of the contest are Ruby Geerlings of Australia (Gold Prize) for “One, Two, Three, Jump”; Fatoni S. Sos of Indonesia (Silver Prize) for “Ku Titih Jalanku” and Minoru Soumura of Japan (Silver Prize) for “Operation Cleaning”. Bronze Prizes go to entries from Susan Lesley Baker of Australia for “Cub Waves”, Minoru Ueda of Japan for “Harvesting Rice”, and Stacey Lee Mardell of Australia for “You have a swinging good time in Cubs”. APR office received 72 entries this year. The yearly regional contest aims at reflecting the values of Scouting through pictures, which is open to Scouts and Scout Leaders in the Asia Pacific Region. 

 

REGION • Tsunami affected countries start projects

Scout associations continue to support countries affected by the tsunami. Pakistan handed over the US$1,500 contribution from young people and adult leaders. Bangladesh pledged US$2000 and the Vietnamese Scout Community in the state of Victoria in Australia collected over $9800 for Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. Another US$6000 comes from New Zealand. WAGGGS Asia Pacific offered US$10,000 through APR office, particularly for Indonesia.

 

The Tsunami Scout Aid Fund (TSAF) Monitoring Group remitted the funds for five approved projects in Sri Lanka and Tanzania worth US$ 31,566. Such projects are on skills enhancement and recreational activities for young people in affected areas in Sri Lanka. Tanzania will organize training for Rover Scouts in emergency & disaster preparedness management. These projects would take from 6 to 18 months to complete. APR office endorsed to Scouts Canada a project proposal from Sri Lanka for three special camps for Scouts affected by the tsunami, for which Canada agreed to fund US$10,000. Thirteen other project proposals are under review.

 

REGION • Collaboration between WAGGGS and WOSM

Where values and vision are shared, and where differences are mainly structural, collaborative relations between WAGGGS and WOSM Asia Pacific was reaffirmed at the meeting between the two organizations on 6th May at the Asia Pacific Office in Manila. First of all, both organizations have a common reason to celebrate their history and a growing consciousness to contribute in influencing local and global issues. WOSM gets closer to its centenary while WAGGGS is celebrating its 75th year. As a region, WOSM Asia Pacific anticipates its golden jubilee in 2006. WAGGGS has 10 million girls and young women in 144 countries, where 2.3 million are in Asia Pacific in 27 countries. 

 

WAGGGS Asia Pacific Chairperson Ms Nina Yuson and Regional Executive Ms Kar Mei Lee met with their WOSM counterparts APR Chairman Eric Khoo and Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed with the special participation of Deputy Secretary General Luc Panissod and APR executives. At the meeting, areas of collaboration were suggested that include the participation of young people in regional events as well as in learning opportunities for risk management, resources development, information exchange, and joint interventions in national youth policies. Some projects that could be undertaken jointly are spreading the message of peace through a Rover Baton and the promotion of projects that reach out to those in conflict areas. WAGGGS shared some of their current projects such as health education to refugee girls and young women, the healthy adolescent project in India and their initiatives on the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

 

REGION • Staff Management Conference

The conference is a designated time every year to review the region’s achievements so as to carry forward projects where support for NSOs is most required. From July 2004 to April 2005, the region initiated a number of practices that include the involvement of young adult members in regional decision-making bodies. Almost 11,000 young people participated in regional and sub-regional activities while close to 300 adult Scout leaders joined regional workshops and training.  For better services to NSO, the survey outcome from 24 NSOs were critically analysed focusing on the nature of support they need from the regional office specifically in youth programme, adult resources, management, finance, communications and the World Strategy. Chairman Eric Khoo attended the SMC for the first time, while Luc Panissod enhanced the meeting with updates on vital issues affecting the region. 

 

During the past year, a 3-year plan was developed for 2005 to 2007. Scout associations in Macau, Mongolia, and Maldives decided their long-term plan. Existing plans in India and Nepal were reviewed. NSOs in least developing countries were given small grants for organizational development. Internship programme at APR office was introduced. A strategy towards mainland China was conceived. Membership trend in member countries was analyzed. A training tools package for adult leaders was developed. For the first time, APR fully supported training of Scout leaders in Afghanistan and French Polynesia. The first Air-Internet Jamboree was hosted in Indonesia. And the regional conference and ancillary events were held in Brunei Darussalam.

 

REGION • Learning starts with values and fundamental principles

It’s been a practice that all staff members of APR office, as part of their professional development, undergo the Basic Training Course to know and understand the who, why, how and what they work for. The course likewise prepares them for the role of Unit Leaders for any Scout section if they so decide. The training course commenced in May for new staff members and a refresher course for others. To integrate teamwork into the learning process, all senior staff members comprise the faculty starting off with the Mission of the Movement by Course Leader S Prassanna; the Promise and Law/Characteristics of Young people by Syd Castillo; Scouting and Religion/ Spirituality/Community by Luz Taray; and the Patrol System by Thian Hiong Boon. Course theories continue until June and the practical side such as camping and hiking is set for July in Mt Makiling.

 

The annual staff development for this year will be in September. Staff members collectively decided to pursue the theme “purposeful-driven life” and how this could translate into their work and personal lives.

 

REGION • APES eye on next gathering in Khenti Mountains, Mongolia

Members of the APES (Asia Pacific Evergreen Scouts) are keen on participating in the early part of the 3rd Mongolian National Jamboree on 10-17 August in Khenti Mountains, where Scouts of Mongolia enthusiastically extended their warm welcome. This planned gathering follows the highly successful meeting of APES in Hong Kong and Macau last April. APES Chairman Katsura Kuno floats the idea of informally convening members who will be attending the Head of Contingents Meeting in Thailand this July as well as the World Scout Conference in Tunisia.

 

JAPAN/REPUBLIC OF CHINA • Sizable contingents expected at 25th APR Scout Jamboree

Core members of the Jamboree Organizing Committee are hands-on in promoting the Jamboree directly to NSOs. Camp Chief Sutham Phanthusak and his team made an excellent Jamboree presentation during the annual convention of the Scout Association of Japan in Fukuoka during the last week of May. Japan promised to send a contingent of 500.  Separately, Regional Consultant Kim Kyu Young met the key leaders of Republic of China and visited four councils, a university and two senior high schools in the second half of April. As a result, he persuaded the association to send a contingent of 300 and to organize a strong International Staff Team (IST) for the Jamboree.

 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM • Leadership Changes

Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam has a new set of key national leaders. The Chief National Commissioner is Hj Badar Bin Hj Ali; Mr Matassim bin Duraman is the International Commissioner; and Mr Hj Ismail Bin Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Papidz is the new Chief Executive Commissioner. 

 

WORLD SCOUTING  • Board of Directors Meeting

WOSM Sectary General Dr Eduardo Missoni led the meeting of Board of Directors comprised of three Deputy Secretary Generals and six Regional Directors on 10-13 May in Geneva for discussions on major policies and issues that will form part of the upcoming World Scout Conference agenda, among these is a Governance Paper to be taken up by Regional Directors with their respective Regional Scout Committees before the conference.

 

WORLD SCOUTING  • Membership Growth

Prior to the Board of Directors meeting was a gathering exclusively devoted to membership growth among the Board of Directors and representatives from selected 14 Scout associations from all the six regions. Representing Asia Pacific were Australia, Indonesia, Japan and Korea where, except for Korea, all APR representatives made very useful presentations. Practical insights were derived from the experiences of NSOs directly dealing with the complexities affecting membership growth.

 

WORLD SCOUTING  • Meeting on Communications

The central office spearheaded a meeting on communications inviting the participation of selected NSOs and executives of the World Scout Bureau (including regions) as part of a strategic process towards developing a communications strategy. The framework on communications underscores the inter-relationship of the Scouting profile (Communications, Partnerships, Resources) with a view of re-positioning Scouting into its social context while making it more attractive to members, supporters and sponsors. One aspect in the strategy is creatively conveying the mission/vision of Scouting as a social force, a cultural of peace and a positive experience. Director for Media and Communications Richard Amalvy facilitated the meeting with the full involvement of World Scout Committee member Ferran Guimaraes.

 

 

WORLD SCOUTING • Gift for Peace Project

Asia Pacific Regional office issues a circular as a follow-up to the Gift for Peace Project announced in WSB Circular no. 11. Projects on Gifts for Peace may take many forms and may build on previous work or start something totally new according to local needs and must involve young people in decision making and practical activities to promote peace.  The circular invites all NSOs in the region to declare their peace project during the World Scout Conference in Tunisia and to share the results of the project with the leaders of their country on 1 August 2007.  As NSOs in the region have been widely involved in numerous peace projects over many years, joining a global voice by declaring our work for peace during the World Conference is indeed a historic opportunity. 

To download WSB circular 11, go to www.scout.org/front/docs/C0511ScoutPAX_e.pdf.

 

UK • Planning the centenary with UK Scouts and WAGGGS - London

At the meeting between The Scout Association (UK) and Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed, centenary activities were discussed (while taking the opportunity to visit Gilwell Park, one of the landmarks of world Scouting).  Events linked to the World Centenary Jamboree as well as the Eurojam on 5-8 August 2005 were detailed out with Aidan Jones, particularly the participation of Asia Pacific countries in these events. Copyright issues were clarified in relation to decision of the region to produce the original B-P books to commemorate the Founder during the 50th APR anniversary in 2006. In a meeting with Derek Twine, the Regional Director shared the progress of Tsunami fund aid where UK Scouts are major contributors with the latest collection reaching up to US$50,000.

The meeting with Steve Peck, Director for Programme and Development, who once assisted in a strategic planning exercise in Solomon Islands, focused on the development of potential and emerging NSOs in the South Pacific.

 

Visit to World WAGGGS HQ. The London visit paved the way for another meeting of Mr Rasheed with WAGGGS Chief Executive Ms Lesley Bulman and all WAGGGS Regional Executives, which turned out to be a continuation of the WAGGGS-WOSM collaboration that started in Manila in early May. It was an opportunity to view the historical façade of WAGGGS building rising above captivating greenery along the Pax Lodge.

 

NEPAL • Leprosy elimination

A community project called ”Involving Nepal Scouts in Leprosy Elimination” has started with funding from former APR Foundation President Herman Hui in the initial amount of US$7500. The Regional Director augmented the grant with another US$10,000 from a donor in Denmark. The project supports Scout activities in line with the UN plan to completely eradicate leprosy in Nepal.  Almost 30 local Scout Leaders are undergoing orientation with a local leprosy center as their preliminary training for overseeing the project.

 

BANGLADESH • Translation of International Handbook to Bengali

Bangladesh Scouts confirm that translation work on the International Handbook on the Scout Section into Bengali is progressing well and is almost over. The plan is to print 1000 copies initially. This is the third translation within the region after Mongolia and Indonesia.

 

MALDIVES • International Seminar on Youth Development – Rover Section

A regional circular is out in May inviting all NSO from all regions of World Scouting to send representatives to the International Seminar on Youth Development (Rover Section) on 23-27 September 2005. Maldives – a unique place for learning as well as a charming tourist destination – will host the seminar. The new Rover Programme concept will be introduced and participants will take part in experimenting on the new syllabus to be used for training Rover adult leaders.

 

REPUBLIC OF CHINA • APR Advanced Unit Leader Training Course for Rover Section

As a follow-up on the Maldives seminar, Scouts of China will host the first-ever regional event for adult leaders for a Woodbadge Course for the Rover Section. The date is set for 18-24 November at the Yang Min-Shan Training Center. A circular will to be issued soon for details.

 

THAILAND • Basic Management Course for Scout Executives

On 5-19 February 2006, the National Scout Organization of Thailand will host the 46th Basic Management Course for Professional Scout Executives in Changmai, one of the most scenic and touristic places in Thailand. Invitees to the course are career Scout executives at national, sub-national and local levels of NSOs.

 

What’s ON

 

JUNE 2005

THAILAND • Jamboree Preparatory Meeting

In preparation for the 25th Asia Pacific Jamboree on 28 December 2005 – 3 January 2006 in Sattahip, Thailand,
a meeting of the Jamboree Organizing Committee and the APR team will take place on 3rd June in Bangkok. Before this meeting, the Jamboree Programme Committee will convene on 2nd June.  Joining the Host Organizing Committee and APR executives at this meeting will be Chairman Eric Khoo; Regional Consultants Anthony Thng and Kim Kyu Young; Ms Mari Nakano, Chairman of APR Programme Sub-Committee; APR Management Sub-Committee Chairman Paulus Tajkrawan and Financial Resources Sub-Committee member Haji Radzwan Hussain. 

 

SRI LANKA • Review of National Strategic Plan

Sri Lanka Scouts Association, with its dynamic style of implementing its long-term plan developed 18 months ago, is reviewing the progress of the plan this 3-6 June with the support of APR team.

 

JAPAN • Planning for the Regional Conference in 2007

This early, the Scout Association of Japan invites the Regional Director to begin laying out the plans for the 2007 Regional Scout Conference in Tokyo by making his next visit on 16-18 June 2005.  SAJ has chosen the month of October to host the event that will take place at the Olympic Memorial Center in Tokyo.

 

What’s UP

 

JULY 2005

THAILAND • Meeting of Contingent Heads

The month of July will have much to offer for the Host Organizing Committee of the 25th APR Scout Jamboree as well as to the Heads of Contingents who will meet on 29-31 in July in Thailand. Taking this opportunity, the Regional Scout Committee and Sub-Committees will meet around this time:

•  Meeting of APR Program Sub-Committee on 28 July

•  Meeting of APR Management Sub-Committee /APR Adult Resources Sub-Committee/ APR Financial Resources

   Sub-Committee/ Scouting’s Profile Sub-Committee on 29 July

•  Meeting of Foundation Management Committee in the afternoon of 29 July

•  Meeting of APR Scout Committee on 30-31 July

•  Meeting of APR Task Force 2006-2007 on 01 August

 

All regional executives who are the focal staff for the sub-committees will facilitate the meetings.

 

PAKISTAN • Basic Training Course for Afghan Scout Leaders

APR office is organizing a training course for Unit Leaders for Afghan Scout leaders in Pakistan on 20-27 July at the Global Scouts Village in Islamabad.  Pakistan Scouts have generously offered their facilities and expertise to run the course for their brother Scouts coming from Afghanistan.

 

KOREA • 13th International Rover Moot

Rovers from different countries will gather at the World Jamboree Site in Mt Sorak, Korea and at Mt. Geumgang in North Korea during the international Rover Moot on 11-16 July 2005. This is expected to be a historic event as it will be the first time that Scouts are crossing the borders to North Korea by overland route for a mountaineering activity in Mt Geumgang.

 

 

Be Prepared

Much is to be expected to happen in the coming months.  In the pipeline are the:

•  2nd Asia-Pacific Air-Internet Jamboree (to be hosted by Scouts Australia) on 6-7 August 2005

•  3rd Mongolian National Jamboree on 10-17 August 2005

•  15th National Jamboree – Bharat Scouts and Guides/India on 16-22 October 2005

 

 

Timelines

21 June 2005. Deadline for sending reply for the 8th Youth Gathering for Cultural Exchange at the Cairo International Scout Centre in Egypt on 21-31 August 2005.

 

30 June 2005.  Deadline for sending reply to the International Seminar on Youth Programme Development – Rover Section.

 

15 July 2005.  Deadline for sending reply slip for the Gift for Peace Project.

 

 

 

 

Publications/inbox06.2005

02 June 2005

LLT/WSB-APR