inbox@apr OCTOBER 2004
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SEPTEMBER 2004
ARAB REGION ¥ Annual
International Cultural Exchange Programme
AFRICA REGION ¥ Africa Regional Scout Conference
It was a good opportunity for
Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed and few other key leaders of the Asia
Pacific Region to have attended the Africa Scout Conference in the beautiful
tourist destination Mauritius on 6-10 September. The conference itself gave a
substantial picture of Africa region and its meaningful projects that enhance
the profile of Scouting in local communities and in establishing international
partnerships. Over the years, the Asia Pacific and Africa Regions have mutually
supported each other, and this was an occasion to re-establish contacts with
the Africa Regional Scout Committee members, leaders of national associations,
and the Africa regional staff headed by Mr Kinuthia Murugu. This Africa
conference was also their largest gathering so far with nearly 200 participants
coming from 31 NSOs out of 35. Mauritius Chief Commissioner Mr Jos Nanette was
elected as the Chairman of the Africa Regional Scout Committee for the coming
triennium.
MACAU ¥ National Strategic Planning Workshop
A relatively young association of
20 years as associate member of Asia Pacific Region, the Scout Association of
Macau sets its vision for its 30th year by 2013. During the National
Strategic Planning Workshop conducted by the APR executives, led by the
Regional Director, over 20 key (and young) Macau Scout leaders set their Vision
by 2013 to become a WOSM member that is well organized and continues to be the
leading youth organization with 10,000 members and enjoying government and
public support, offering attractive youth programme supported by well trained
leaders and sufficient resources. This event was another occasion to
demonstrate how any event can also be tailor-made to the needs of an
association whatever the requirements are. The whole workshop was conducted in
the evenings to suit the time when most participants are available and off from
work. It was a challenge to both
the Macau Scouters and the APR team but the outcomes were more than
satisfactory. The vision is supported by seven strategic priorities i.e.
Membership Growth, Youth Programme, Adult Resources, Financial Resources,
Organizational Development, Public Relations & Communications, and WOSM
Membership. Chief Commissioner Leong Sui Pui encouraged the participants to
strengthen their commitment and work collectively for the visionÕs full
implementation. Chairman Anthony
Thng took part in the lengthy and lively discussions of the Vision, Priority
Areas and objectives. Vice-Chairman John Hui and Deputy Chief Commissioner Alex
Wong of Hong Kong gave their support to the workshop participants with their
presence.
SINGAPORE ¥ Meeting with the ASEF Secretariat
Asia Europe Foundation
(ASEF), which has come to the limelight of Scouting in recent days received at
its headquarters in Singapore on 16th September, the Regional
Director and the Regional Chairman for a detailed discussion as to how best the
two organizations can work together. It was also an opportunity to renew the
invitation to Ms. Catherine Pabalan, Project Manager and current acting
Director of their people-to-people exchange programme to attend the Brunei
conference and to address the gathering on the role and functions of ASEF. We
may recall that it was ASEF together with the All Chinese Youth Federation
(ACYF) which organized the study visit exchange programme in June this year
attended by four Scouts from Korea,Taiwan and Indonesia together with Scouts
from Europe.
PHILIPPINES ¥ Staff Development Programme
This yearÕs focus of
the APR Staff Development was an activity for enhancing memory power and
creativity. The APR staff spent
the weekend of 17-19 September, for the second successive year in the annual
staff development workshop, doing exercises to activate memory as well as to
generate creativity by expanding oneÕs perspectives. Dr Evelina Vicencio of
University of the Philippines and Mr Jared Vicencio facilitated the activities.
Japan ¥ Fellowship among former regional scouters
Efforts and thinking
are gradually crystallized among some key leaders in the region, led by the
Chairman of the PR Sub-Committee Katsura Kuno to form a regional group from
among all former regional scouters who have been active at national or regional
level and are still willing to be part of the big brotherhood and continue
strengthening their fellowship. This new fellowship of like-minded people is
expected to be finalized at a formal meeting during the forthcoming Regional
Conference. It is learned that this formal gathering of the Fellowship group is
expected to meet on December 10th evening at the Orchid Garden Hotel
in Brunei. All past members of the regional committee and all sub-committees
including Scouters who have held key national positions in Scouting are all
welcome to attend the first meeting.
APR Office ¥ Third APR photo contest
Following the success
of two rounds of the APR photo contest, announcement has already gone out
calling for the submission of photos for the third round which will be held in
2005. All submissions must reach APR office not later than 31 December 2004 and
all nominations must come through the national scout organization.
WhatÕs ON
OCTOBER 2004
BANGLADESH ¥ 2nd
APR Unit Leaders Roundtable
This monthÕs attention is for Unit Leaders, the so-called front liners
of Scouting. More than 40 Leaders from 10 National
Scout Organizations will gather at the National Training Centre in Mouchak,
Bangladesh on 7-11 October. These leaders will share their experiences on young people
and identify promising practices that interrelate membership growth with
quality Scouting. They will also
identify the challenges that Unit Leaders have to contend with in rapidly
changing societies. The Roundtable being organized by APR is to be assisted by
Dominique Benard from Geneva as well as by Programme sub committee Resource
Group member Ms. Helen Abidin from Singapore in addition to many scouters from
Bangladesh.
JAPAN ¥ ICT-Youth Programme Workshop and symposium
Around 15
countries will be represented at the above workshop at the National Youth
Centre in Tokyo, Japan. More than
40 participants have signed up and they will be supported by a large group
staff and Rovers of the Scout Association of Japan. Primary objective of the workshop is to incorporate ICT as a
means to make Youth Programme attractive to young people. Simultaneously a
symposium to cover the same topics but with condensed coverage will also be
organized during the weekend from 16th -17th for other
key Japanese leaders at all levels. Resource people for this unique area come
from both within scouting and from the business world, from Europe as well as
from Asia.
JAPAN ¥ Pre-Selection
of Outstanding Scouts
Having received
11 nominations, one from each NSO, for the Asia Pacific Outstanding Scouts, the
pre-selection will take place in Tokyo (during the above workshop) with a panel
of judges from the APR Programme Sub-Committee, APR PR Sub-Committee and the
APR office. The panellists will
select five finalists out of the 11 candidates who will be invited to Brunei
(during the regional conference) for the final selection of this trienniumÕs
Outstanding Scout.
Japan
¥ 2006 Task Force meeting
A year before
the centenary of World Scouting, it is the time for APR to celebrate its Golden
anniversary. The APR Task Force for 2006 and 2007 headed by PR Sub-Committee
Chairman Katsura Kuno, are meeting in Japan in conjunction with the APR
workshop to finalize the action steps for the celebration. This final draft of
the action steps will then be discussed at the Regional Committee Scout meeting
and submitted to the conference for endorsement. It is believed that the very
first kick off is on New YearÕs eve of 2005 during the 25th APR
Jamboree in Thailand.
Geneva
¥ World Scout Committee meeting
The second
meeting of the World Scout Committee for this year will be held in Geneva from
29-30 October, which will be preceded by various workstream meetings and that
of the budget committee. From the Region, Chairman Anthony Thng will be
attending the meeting. Secretary General of Scouts China Dr. George Huang is
also expected to attend to brief them on the recent World Moot.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
2004
The Asia
Pacific Regional Scout Conference plus its two ancillary events are just around
the corner. HereÕs the latest update on participation as of 30 September:
¥ 21st APR Scout Conference
: around 400 participants from 23
NSOs, World Scout Committee members, Kindred Organizations, and hosts of future
World Scouting events
¥ APR
Youth Forum: more than 20 participants from 7 NSOs
¥ APR Course for Leader
Trainers: around 50 participants
from 15 NSOs
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