INbox@APR         April 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

 

MARCH 2005

 

TSUNAMI SCOUT AID UPDATE •  More Scouts contribute

UK:  Mr Derek Twine of The Scout Association (UK) shares an inspiring report that Scouts in UK raised USD 128,600 for the Tsunami Scout Aid and had transferred the amount to the Tsunami Scout Aid account in Geneva. This is the first tranche of donations received by the UK national office until the end of February.

 

Australia:  From the southern hemisphere, a pleasant news comes from Thuat V Nguyen, ICCVS Chairman based in Sydney, informing that ICCVS has raised funds for Tsunami Scout Aid with a total of USD 23,106. The aid is broken down for Indonesia (USD 8,106), Thailand  (USD 5,000), Sri Lanka (USD 5,000) and Malaysia (USD 5,000). Donations were collected from ICCVS Scout Groups based in Australia, Europe and North America.

 

Korea: Secretary General Lee Young-Ku of Korea Scout Association coordinated with Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed on the additional donation of Korean Scouts to tsunami affected countries in the form of medical supplies, snacks and blankets worth US$15,000. They agreed to hand over the supplies to Tamil Nadu Scouts in South India.

 

INDONESIA  • Scouts to help in Nias disaster

Scout volunteers in Indonesia have already re-grouped for Nias Island to assess how they could help victims of the recent earthquake that struck the island on 28 March. Nias is in the west coast of Sumatra, one of the 32 provinces of Indonesia. Hundreds of people died and homes were shattered by the earthquake. Despite the difficulty of reaching the island because of the vast devastation, Vice Chairman of Gerakan Pramuka, Mr Parni Hadi, said that the Scouts Care Volunteers (SCV) team is determined to extend help as it is effectively doing for the Tsunami victims.

 

World Scout Bureau Director of Corporate Communication Mark Clayton, on behalf of the World Scout Foundation, visited Indonesia from 16 to 20 March. Mark’s mission is to get more information about the SCV team and their work for Tsunami survivors in Aceh.

 

FRENCH POLYNESIA  •  First Training of Leaders

Being the newest associate member of Scouting in the Asia Pacific Region, the Polynesia Scouts Council had the first taste of a training course run by APR with a regional team, an experience that starts a series of training that would propel them for further training. Scouts Polynesia organized two training courses for Scout leaders simultaneously. One course is the Basic Training Course (BTC) for Scout Leaders of the Scout Section attended by 15 participants with the support of APR office, Scouts Australia and Scouts Canada. The other course is called BAFA 1 (STIP) attended by 31 Scout leaders. Dominique Pastor was course leader of BTC while Marie-France Ehumoana was course leader for BAFA I. Council President Joel Vanffaut opened the course on the first day and thanks to Scouts Australia and Scouts Canada for sending Peter Lane, Carol Cope and Louise Beausejour who comprised the training team. Thian Hiong-Boon of APR office coordinated this entire event.  Both courses were held in Tautira, 70 km away from the capital town of Papeete.  

 

Having this new experience for both participants and course staff, the training was made in a camping style boosted with camp crafts, Scout songs and games. The newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports spent a couple of hours visiting the camp as well as observing a troop meeting and basic ceremonies in Scouting such as investiture, commitment, appointment plus a wonderful campfire. Dominique Pastor, in his report, said that the courses were beneficial for all the trainers and the participants who unanimously found the training course very positive despite some difficulties related to language and hectic timetable.

 

THAILAND  •  APR Jamboree invites Contingent Heads in July

The preparatory meeting on 14 March highlighted the visit of the Heads of Contingents to the Jamboree site on 29-31 July 2005. National Scout Organization of Thailand (NSOT) is ready to host, by providing food and accommodation, to two delegates from each NSO who will join the contingent heads meeting and the closing of their National Jamboree on 31 July. Registration forms for the meeting are available with Bulletin I (as appendix 3). Arrival of contingent heads is 29 July and departure is 1st of August. Regular Jamboree updates can be viewed at www.aprjam25.org. 

 

Several meetings of the APR Scout Committee/Sub-Committees will likewise be organized together with this visit. NSOT graciously offers hospitality to the APR committee and sub-committee members attending.

 

5th Preparatory Meeting. Dr Kuang Robkob presided over the meeting on 14 March at the Twin Towers Hotel Bangkok in preparation for the 25th Asia Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree on 28 December 2005 – 3 January 2006 in Had Yao, Sattahip, Thailand. International Commissioner Mr Sutham Phanthusak was appointed Camp Chief. Together with the APR team led by Regional Chairman Eric Khoo and Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed, targets were set for the participation of Scouts from across the region. Targets were identified by sub-region:  Northeast (over 3,000), Southeast (1,800), South Asia (close to 1,000) and Australasia (700) for a total of 6,500 and around 8,000 from the host country, Thailand.

 

General Orientation for Department Heads.  At a separate orientation meeting on 15 March at Vajiravudh Scout Camp, enthusiasm was evident amongst the 12 department heads and staff when practical inputs were given on the educational objectives of the Jamboree as well as its “do’s and don’ts”.  Regional Consultant Kim Kyu Young provided the inputs for the orientation.

 

Workshop on Developing the Jamboree Youth Programme.  Simultaneously, the workshop took place on 16-18 March 2005 at the Vajiravudh Scout Camp.  Facilitators of the workshop were Programme Sub-Committee Chairman Ms Mari Nakano, former Programme Sub-Committee Chairman Mr Paulus Tjakrawan, Mr Syd Castillo of APR office and Mr Sayun Santad of NSOT.  Mr T.V. Srinath who was the Chairman of the 3rd APR Scout Youth Forum and now member of the Programme committee was a workshop staff.  Facilitators discussed the educational proposal of the Jamboree as well as the specific objectives of the 12 different activities including the eight modules. Around 80 Jamboree staff attended the workshop.

 

MONGOLIA  •  Strategic Planning Workshop

About 25 km north of capital city Ulaanbaatar is the Nairamdal Children’s Center at the snow-covered Khenti Mountains, where the APR team organized a national strategic planning workshop for 32 leaders of Scouts of Mongolia. From 23-27 March, participants created a plan for three years – from 2005 to 2007 – as an initial step towards their vision for year 2013. To support their vision of increasing from the current 8,000 members to 40,000 in 2013, participants identified six strategic priorities, i.e. membership expansion, youth involvement, adult resources, management, financial resources and communications. They decided their vision and plan based on their analysis of the current situation of Scouting where they still need technical assistance largely in the areas of programme development and adult resources management. The completed plan, produced in both Mongolian and English, was presented on closing day to Chief Commissioner Baavgai Khuushaan. APR office supported the workshop with the technical assistance of two directors, Mr S Prassanna and Ms Luz Taray.

 

The 26-year old Secretary General, Mr Erdenebileg Erdenejamiyan led the planning exercise as workshop director. Participants were a good mix of females and males with age ranging from 18 to early 40s. After completing its 10th year, Scouts of Mongolia is now run by a young group of leaders who have been the first generation of Scouts since Scouting was introduced in the country in early 1990s. In a discussion with the former Chief Commissioner and now Honorary President Myagmar Esunmunkh, they have reached a stage of experience and maturity and it is about time to introduce changes in the constitution. After the workshop, Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed confirmed to form an international team to support Scouts of Mongolia in organizing a Leader Training course planned for November this year.

 

Scouts of Mongolia invite overseas countries to participate in their 3rd National Jamboree at the Khenti Mountains on 10-17 August 2005. Activities include an overnight stay at the Mongolian traditional house called ger, a visit to the Moltsog els which is a desert and steppe area, and traditional sports such as wrestling, archery and horse racing.  Participants will also visit nomadic families to learn more about their way of life.

 

AUSTRALIA  •  Course for Leader Trainers

Gilwell Park in Australia became home to 55 Scouts leaders during the 22nd Australia Course for Leader Trainer from the 24th to 30th of March. National Chief Commissioner and Regional Scout Committee member John Ravenhall welcomed all participants coming from nine countries such as Hong Kong (7), Kiribati (1), Korea (1), Macau (1), Malaysia (1), Singapore (1), Thailand (2), Vietnam (4), from all states of Australia (37), with Thian Hiong-Boon of APR office. Course Leader was Peter Blatch, National Commissioner for Adult Training and Development. Participants were introduced to the accredited Scouts Australia Institute of Training courses up to diploma in leadership.

 

Gilwell Park is celebrating its 80th year as a training centre and campsite. The founder, Lord Baden-Powell visited the park three times and planted an oak tree to commemorate his visit on 9 April 1931.

 

REGION  •  Committee and Sub-Committee meetings in July

Several meetings are being arranged at the end of July at the Vajiravudh Scout Camp in Thailand.  The National Scout Organization of Thailand has graciously agreed to host all meetings by providing hospitality.

•  Meeting of APR Program Sub- Committee is on 28 July

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

    Scouting’s Profile Sub-Committee is on 29 July

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

•  Meeting of APR Scout Committee is on 30-31 July

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

 

REGION  •  APR Scout Foundation to appoint Investment Team

The Asia Pacific Regional Scout Foundation will appoint an Investment Team who will be responsible for ensuring bigger returns of the foundation’s capital fund.  Appointments will be announced soon.

 

JAPAN  •  Japan appoints national Scout leaders

Effective 1st of April, the Scout Association of Japan announces its new line up of national leaders, namely:

Chairman of the Board of Directors & Acting Chief Scout – Mr Shoichi Saba

Chief Commissioner – Mr Satoshi Ito

Deputy Chief Commissioner – Mr Tsuneo Shinoda

International Commissioner – Mr Yoshio Danjo

National Secretary – Mr Yuji Wakayama

 

On behalf of the Regional Committee, the Regional Director has expressed congratulations and best wishes for a continuing supportive relationship with the association.

 

What’s ON

 

APRIL 2005

 

NEPAL • Scouts review strategic plan

Nepal Scouts’ strategic plan is undergoing a thorough review this week. S Prassanna of APR office facilitates the review together with key Scout commissioners and leaders who created the national plan 18 months ago.

 

REGION • Regional Scout Committee to visit Manila

Regional Committee Chairman Eric Khoo, Vice-Chairman Zainal Abidin and member Tan Cheng Kiong are coming over Manila for a meeting with BSP national officials as well as to visit the APR office in Makati City.  The meeting is set for 11 April.

 

MALDIVES • Strategic Planning Workshop

Preparations are underway for the planning workshop which is being organized for the first time for key Scout leaders in Maldives. Coordination and support will be given by Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed and APR executives, S Prassanna and Ms Luz Taray. Mohd Ali Khalid will represent the Regional Scout Committee to this workshop.

 

NEPAL • SAF Scout Friendship Camp

Commitment from various sectors of Nepal, government and private, have been given during the Advisory Council Meeting of the 3rd SAF Friendship Scout Camp that will take place on 22-27 April.  The Chief Scout and Minister of Education presided the meeting that gathered secretaries of various ministries, tourism board officials, bankers, hoteliers, travel agents, business people, social workers as well as senior journalists.  Chief Commissioner Shree Ram Lamichhane briefed them on the objective of the SAF Scout Friendship Camp particularly its role in strengthening relations amongst SAARC countries and promoting regional cooperation through education and sustainable development across all levels of society.  The postal department is issuing a commemorative stamp for the occasion.  Scout participants will come from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

 

PAKISTAN • Asia Pacific Advanced Management Course.  

Apart from the over 30 national leaders from Pakistan, key Scout leaders from Bangladesh and India are attending the management course as participants and staff. The course will take place on 24-30 April in Islamabad.  APR executives, Thian Hiong Boon and Ms Myrna Calderon, will facilitate the course.  Mohd Ali Khalid will represent the Committee in this course.

 

What’s UP

 

MAY 2005

 

REGION • Staff Management Conference

As a yearly management practice, executives of the region hold a review of regional performance in view of its overall operations. This year’s conference will take place on 4-5 May at the APR office in Manila. Desk officer for Asia-Pacific Mr Luc Panissod, Deputy Secretary General of WOSM, will attend the meeting. Regional Chairman Eric Khoo will likewise attend.

 

WOSM • Board of Directors Meeting

At the world level, WOSM leaders led by Secretary General Dr Eduardo Missoni and the Board of Directors comprised of Deputy Secretary Generals and Regional Directors will meet in Geneva on 9-13 May. The meeting will tackle matters related to the strategy and transversal teams.

 

Timelines

 

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

 

 

Publications/inbox04.2005

01 April 2005