inbox@apr  NOVEMBER 2004

 

inbox is published monthly by the Asia Pacific Region of the World Scout Bureau
in Manila.  For free subscription, simply send a request to publications@apr.scout.org

 

WhatÕs NEW

 

OCTOBER 2004

 

BANGLADESH ¥  APR Unit Leaders Roundtable

Asia Pacific Office and Bangladesh Scouts jointly organized the second regional Unit LeadersÕ Roundtable at the National Scout Training Centre in Mouchak from 7 to 12 October. Forty one unit leaders from ten National Scout Organizations (NSOs) participated, i.e. Fiji, PNG, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Philippines, and Bangladesh, with the support of Mr Dominique Benard of Geneva office, Ms Helen Abidin on behalf of the APR Programme Resource Group, and the resource speakers from Bangladesh Scouts. Participants suggested the formation of a  Programme Developers Group particularly for developing a programme for unit leaders.

 

Participants from other countries visited the Rover ÔPolliÕ (region) in Bahadurpur, about 20 kms from Mouchak. The Rover Polli has been working closely with communities for about 25 years on various CD projects such as health care and animals immunization and treatment.

 

Simultaneously, around 500 Scouts took part in a 5-day Ôtalent search campÕ synchronizing traditional Scouting activities with community development services
in nearby communities.

 

JAPAN ¥ APR Workshop on the ICT in Youth Programme

A mixture of ICT enthusiasts and those involved in youth programme development gathered at the National Youth Center in Tokyo on 14-18 October 2004.  With the effective leadership of the Scout Association of Japan, it was a productive gathering of 40 participants from 14 countries, i. e. Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK and Japan. Input speakers who are themselves Scouters introduced their practical experience in ICT for Scouts and shared their knowledge on the huge potential of gaming and virtual community.

 

As a synthesis of the 5-day workshop, a preamble was formulated stressing the pervasive effect of ICT in global affairs and as an essential tool for information and marketing. In Scouting, it has brought enormous results in communications and youth programme. It could be a powerful tool for telecasting live the grand celebrations in Scouting such as world or regional Jamborees so that young people could see and appreciate the opportunities that these activities offer.

 

Participants created a virtual community as a hands-on exercise during one of the sessions. The group's site is http://groups.msn.com/APRICTWorkshop2004/

 

The workshop concluded that ICT is for promotion, for connecting Scouts in different localities, and for enriching youth programme; that ICT in youth programme changes our way of life as a global organization, creates friendship networks, as well as enable users to share their knowledge and resources.  All this takes Scouting into a new dimension apart from itÕs simply being cool for todayÕs young people!

 

JAPAN  ¥  APR Golden Anniversary Task Force Meeting

On the occasion of the workshop in Tokyo, the 2006 APR Golden Jubilee Celebration met on 15 October 2004.  They approved the proposed regional structure of the Task Force and its terms of reference.  The members also divided the proposed action and activities among themselves for the purpose of continuous follow-up until a new Task Force is appointed in December.

 

JAPAN  ¥  Pre-selection of APR Outstanding Scouts

The Scout Association of Japan hosted on 14 October the preliminary round of selecting candidates for the Asia-Pacific Outstanding Scouts Award. With a total of ten candidates with remarkable achievements in Scouting, five were selected to join the final round of selection during the regional conference in Brunei Darussalam. The pre-selection committee comprising of representatives from the APR Youth Programme and PR Sub-Committees adjudged the candidates from Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Maldives and Sri Lanka as finalists for the regional award. Finalists will now be able to take part in the Youth Forum as well as the conference while attending the final round of selection.

 

REGION  ¥  APR RoverNet Community

Everyone is invited to join http://groups.msn.com/APRRoversComCenter/. This is a group which was conceived during the APR Workshop on the Promotion of Rover Scouting in December 2003.  There is a new bulletin posted in this community and ideas are solicited to enrich the discussion for the 4th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Youth Forum.

 

THAILAND  ¥ Preparatory Meeting for the 25th APR Scout Jamboree

With the warm hospitality of ThailandÕs Vice Minister of Education Dr Kwang Robkob and his team, a substantive preparatory meeting was recently hosted in Bangkok, together with APR team led by Chairman Anthony Thng, Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed, former Regional Director Kim Kyu Young, and APR Youth Programme Chairman Paulus Tjakrawan. The regional Jamboree will take place at the venue of the 20th World Scout Jamboree 2003 in Sattahip on 18 December 2005 – 3 January 2006. This early, the Prime Minister has appointed a steering committee to oversee the preparations consisting of all key government departments and other related agencies. The organizing committee made their first formal Jamboree site inspection.

The National Scout Organization of Thailand is taking every opportunity to promote the Jamboree in major Scouting events in Asia Pacific as well as in other regions.

 

GENEVA  ¥  World Scout Committee Meeting

Towards the end of October, Regional Chairman Anthony Thng attended the World Scout Committee meeting in Geneva.  Mr Mohammed Ali Khalid of India briefed the World Scout Committee workstream on the forthcoming world seminar on partnerships to be organized in Bangalore, India in February 2005.

 

 

WhatÕs ON

 

NOVEMBER 2004

 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM  ¥  21ST APR Scout Conference updates

Participation.  All 25 member countries in the Asia Pacific Region will be represented at the forthcoming conference, making it the first conference to have all NSOs present.  As of this time, over 400 delegates, observers and accompanying persons have confirmed participation.

 

Advance Documents.  The second batch of conference documents are released this month.  Document no. 5 is on Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws and Document No. 6 is a draft of APR Priorities and Action Steps for 2004-2007.  Document 6 presents the regionÕs strategic priorities and statements for adoption by the conference.  It also presents the draft of objectives and action steps to be enhanced by discussion outcomes of the conference.

 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM  ¥  APR Course for Leader Trainers

Finally, the cream of the regionÕs Leader Trainers as well as their potential successors are gathering for this regional course in Brunei Darussalam.  A high-powered training team will consist of leaders coming from several countries.  As of this time, around 50 leaders from 15 countries have signed up as participants.

 

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM  ¥  APR Youth Forum

The regionÕs young people are likewise gathering in Brunei to discuss issues that interest and affect them. Around 40 young people from at least 10 countries have registered to participate in the forum.

 

EGYPT  ¥  WSB Operations Meeting

Cairo International Scout Centre is hosting the Operations Meeting of WSB executives where the main discussion would be to make the new WOSM organigram operational with transversal workstreams and Regional Directors becoming part of the Board of Directors.

 

 

WhatÕs UP

 

DECEMBER 2004

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM  ¥  More updates 21st APR Scout Conference

ItÕs time to wrap up conference preparations. The regional office sent out a list of reminders for NSOs to give immediate feedback on various matters related to the conference:

¥  Conference registration:  For those who have not submitted original conference registration forms, hotel booking form, transport form, and reservation with one night room cost, please send the required forms to the host association.

¥  APR Poster Competition.  NSOs are encouraged to join the 2nd APR Poster Competition.  Details of the competition could be viewed at http://www.apr.scout.org.jp/documents/circular.htm circular no. 17.

¥  Golf Tournament.  Golf players and friends are invited to the tournament.  Details at http://www.apr.scout.org.jp/documents/circular.htm circular no. 19.

¥  Logo Competition for the APR Golden Jubilee Celebrations 2006.  Best entries from National Scout Organizations are expected to be received until 15 November.  Refer to http://www.apr.scout.org.jp/documents/circular.htm circular no. 33.

¥  Arrival and Departure.  Flights in and out of Bandar Seri Begawan are required in advance by the Host Organizing Committee.

 

Apart from plenary sessions, hereÕs a list of events and meetings where delegates and observers are welcome as appropriate:

¥   Welcome Dinner, 6 December, 1900hrs

¥   International CommissionerÕs Gathering, 7 December, 1800hrs

¥   Training Team Members Gathering, 7 December, 1800hrs

¥   Foundation Fellowship Meeting, 7 December, 1930hrs

¥   Breakout Group Discussions, 8 December, 0930-1430hrs

¥   Full day Educational Tour, 9 December

¥   Fundraising Dinner, 8 December, 1900hrs

¥   APES Meeting, 10 December, 1900hrs

¥   International Night and Farewell Dinner, 11 December, 1900hrs

 

For inquiries email the APR office at wsb@apr.scout.org or the conference secretariat at aprconf@brunet.bn or bruneiscout-hq@brunet.bn

 

 

Timelines

Mark these deadlines on your calendar:

¥  APR Golden Jubilee Year Celebrations 2006 ÒLogo CompetitionÓ

Last date: pre-selected entry by NSOs must reach APR office by 15 November

2004. Refer to circular no. 33.

 

¥  7th International Adventure Programme Confirmation of participation:

31 December 2004. Refer to circular no. 30

 

¥  International Seminar for Scouting and Child Labour Registration deadline:

12 December 2004. Refer to circular no. 29

 

¥  25th Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree 2005

Reply slip: 31 December 2004