inbox@apr

December 2003

Monthly Newsletter of World Scout Bureau
Asia Pacific Region

 

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

 

What’s NEW

NOVEMBER 2003

 

INDIA Course for professionals in Scouting Service

With more than 1200 Scout executives in the Asia-Pacific Region, professional service plays a major role in the management of 25 Scout associations having 17 million members. At different times and places, the region has continuously sustained management competence of full-time executives with a long string of management courses instituted over the past 30 years.

 

In Jaipur, famously known as the Pink City, Bharat Scouts & Guides/India hosted the 45th APR series of management courses with 44 participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Thailand. The two-week course, which ran from 1-15 December, covered a comprehensive program that complements both the managerial and personal effectiveness of Scout managers, including the WOSM mission and strategy, youth programme, adult resources management, financial and resources development, membership growth, management principles, leadership, relationship skills, environment, population, gender, disaster management, public speaking, etc.

 

Overseas participants observed Scouting activities in Jaipur, talked with the young people there who welcomed them with cultural performances on several occasions. Jaipur is known for its rich heritage having preserved several forts held by the country’s rulers and kings.

 

The Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court inaugurated the course with BSG National Commissioner L.M. Jain while Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed graced the closing.  The Course was run by D. L. Sharma, Director of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Mr Girish Kumar Shrivastava, Dr Mohd. Effendy from Geneva and Mr S. Prassanna Shrivastava of APR office. Mr Adams Winston, Director Operations of Africa Region, was a guest instructor.

 

KOREA  Looking at membership from the PR-ICT-Marketing Perspectives

The falling leaves of autumn was nature’s metaphor of making us see, think, accept and act on the reality of the other side of spring – how Scout membership in many countries has been falling just before our eyes for several years. (On the other hand, the colour of autumn plus the warm Korean hospitality gave the entire workshop a very cheery and productive ambience). But unlike nature’s way of replenishing itself, the phenomenal decline in Scouting membership demands more collective intervention, critical analysis, innovative ideas, and even a mind shift to turn a new leaf in making Scouting more vibrant and worthwhile for today’s young people. 

 

Korea Scout Association hosted the regional exercise on PR-ICT and Marketing on 5-9 November at Tong Yang Creativity Centre in Inchon province. With the combined efforts of three regional sub-committees (Public Relations, ICT and Marketing), frameworks were drawn up using PR-ICT and marketing strategies to intervene for the effectiveness of Scouting while considering the differentiation of development levels in various Asia-Pacific countries.

 

A good mix of seasoned practitioners and junior executives enhanced the workshop input and output of 47 participants from 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

 

Appreciation is given to all who contributed to the workshop, KSA President Lee Won-Hee, Secretary General Lee Young-Ku and Workshop Director Mr Hong Seung-Soo, Korea national staff and Rovers; Regional Committee Chairman Anthony Thng, Committee members Mr Eric Khoo, Dr Koji Oguri and Mr Zainal Abedin; PR Chairman Katsura Kuno, ICT Chairman Oh Sang Gyoon; resource persons Mr Max Edralin, Mr Richard Miller and Mr Alex Choo; Korea’s Ministry of Tourism for the generous sponsorship; the APR team - RD Abdullah Rasheed, Ms Luz Taray and Mr Syd Castillo for organizing and coordinating the workshop.

 

As in previous workshops, electronic documentation was distributed to all participants in a CDRom.  Full documentation will be made available to all national Scout organizations.

 

During the workshop, the three sub-committees met formally and informally to review and evaluate their performance.  Each committee was tasked to contribute in refining the priority statement and objectives of the region’s strategic priorities for the 2004-2007, namely Scouting’s Profile, Marketing of Scouting and Information Communications Technology.

 

 

SINGAPORE  APR Workshop Risk and Safety Management

In today’s world of mobility, travel and activity, the primary byword is safety.  Indeed it is highly important that every Scout association puts in place safety measures and policies for the well-being of members.  For this purpose, the first Asia-Pacific Region Risk and Safety Management Workshop was held at Salvation Army, Changi Conference Center, hosted by Singapore Scout Association on 19-23 November.

 

One of the major workshop outcomes was a provisional definition of Risk Management in Scouting:

 

“ Risk Management  in World Scouting is the systematic application of comprehensive tools for an assessment and treatment process which consists of:

§       the identification of risks

§       the analysis of their potential effects

§       the evaluation of options for treatment

§       the implementation of preventive and/or reactive measures

§       the effective supervision and repetitive revision of the process

aiming at the elimination and/or reduction of risks to an acceptable calculated level in order to maximize the experiences of Scouting in accordance  with our mission”

 

There were 45 leaders from 10 countries – Bangladesh, Republic of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand and Saudi Arabia who actively participated in the workshop. Extensive discussions dealt with risk management definitions and terms, physical risks and child abuse, and developing a guideline/policy for NSOs on risk management.   

 

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament, with Regional Chairman Anthony Thng chairing the host committee.  Well wishes were given by Chief Commissioner Nicholas Tang, SSA President Mr Noel Hon and RD Abdullah Rasheed.  Direction was given by Mr Malcolm Tan with a pool of resource persons: Mr Ian Langford Brown (Australia), Mr Bryan Eric Brown (Australia), Mr Matt Franzke (World Scout Center, Kanderstag), Mr Lutz Kuenhen (WSG-Geneva), Steve Powell (American Scout Troop, Singapore), Dr Effendy Bin Rajab (WSB-Geneva), Ms Chee Lee Chin (Singapore), and S Prassanna of APR office as coordinator.

 

 

What’s ON

 

DECEMBER 2003

PHILIPPINES • 1st APR Workshop on the Promotion of Rovering

December 1st marks the very first Asia-Pacific workshop on the promotion of Rovering.  In 2001 census, Rovers in the region comprises 3% (439,000) of the total Scout population of over 15 million.  To share experiences in strengthening this section, Scout leaders and Rovers are convening until 6 December in Tarlac City, located north of Manila.  These leaders and Rovers are from Australia, Bangladesh, Scouts of China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and will be joined by a resource speaker from Portugal and a special invitee from France.

 

BRUNEI    4th Preparatory Meeting for 21st APR Scout Conference

With a year to prepare for the 21st APR Scout Conference in Brunei, the host committee and Asia Pacific executives are meeting this early December to finalize the conference action plan until December 2004 including the two ancillary activities – Regional Youth Forum and Regional Course for Leader Trainers.

 

BRUNEI    National Strategic Planning

Brunei Scouts are organizing a National Strategic Planning Workshop on 8-13 December with the support of Asia Pacific office.  Key leaders will take part in analyzing the current situation of Brunei Scouting and its national plan for the next ten years.

 

BRUNEI     APR Workshop on Training System Development

After the planning workshop, Brunei will host the Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Training System Development on 13-17 December.  Several countries have confirmed participation. The workshop is designed to help NSOs review their national training system/scheme in line with the Adult Resources Policy. National Training Commissioners or executives in-charge of training were invited to the workshop. Dr Effendy from Geneva is the main facilitator.

 

THAILAND     Preparatory Meeting for the 25th Asia Pacific Jamboree

In preparation for the 2005 Asia-Pacific Jamboree to be held in Thailand, International Commissioner of NSO Thailand, Mr Sutham Phanthusak is organizing the first meeting of the Jamboree Host Organizing Committee in Trang, Thailand on 8-11 December. Trang Scout Camp is the proposed venue.

 

 

What’s UP

 

JANUARY 2004

 

TIMOR LESTE  • Drafting the Constitution of Scouting in East Timor

A meeting is set for 16-18 January 2004 for the drafting of a constitution for a national Scout organization in Timor Leste.  APR office will lead the meeting together in cooperation with Timor Leste’s Ministry of Education and Youth. 

 

BANGLADESH  • 7th Bangladesh National Jamboree

Scouting for Leadership is the theme of the national Jamboree in Bangladesh taking place on 5-12 January at the National Scout Training Center in Gazipur District, 42 kms north of Dhaka City. The Jamboree is for Scouts, male and female, ages 11-16 years.  For information, contact your national Scout organization or email scouts@bangla.net.

 

FEBRUARY 2004

 

BANGLADESH  • 16th Bangladesh Rover Moot

This is for Rover Scouts, male or female, ages 16 to 25 years.  The Moot take will take place on 12-19 February at Bahadurpur Rover Scout Training Center in Gazipur District, Bangladesh.  For information, email scouts@bangla.net.

 

BHUTAN  • Course for Assistant Leader Trainers

For the first time within Bhutan, the Scout association will host and lead a Course for Assistant Leader Trainers for Bhutanese leaders.  APR office is organizing an international team to support the course from 27 January to 3 February 2004.

 

INDIA  • 6TH International Adventure Programme

This is for Senior Scouts/Girl Scouts, Rovers/Rangers and adult leaders from 15 to 45 years old, having good health and can bear the strain of adventure.  Slot is given to 50 participants from other countries.  The adventure starts from 16 to 25 February at the National Adventure Institute of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, located in Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh where it overlooks the imposing Satpura ranges. 

 

 

Be Prepared

 

SPAIN   World Youth Festival

The World Organization of the Scout Movement supports the organizers of the above festival (reference: WSB circular no. 26/2003) as a member of the International Planning Committee and as an advisor for the infrastructure, logistics and management.  The festival will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 8 to 14 August 2004.  For further information, go to www.worldyouthfestival.org or email festivaljoventut@barcelona2004.org.

 

 

Timelines

The 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Scout Photo Contest invites interested Scouts and Scout Leaders to send their entries until 31 December 2003.  Go to www.apr.scout.or.jp/documents/16-2003.pdf for details.

 



 

LT

01/12/03