APR participation in WSPU assembly remarkable

A large number of parliamentarians from all over the world gathered in Seoul, Korea from 1-4 November for the 6th General Assembly of the World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU). At the closing on 4th November, they made conclusive remarks that Scouting offers the best activities for youth and declared to promote scouting in various countries at parliamentary level. The assembly elected the President of the Korea Scout Parliamentary Association and Deputy Speaker of Korea Parliament Hon Chung Eui-Hwa as the new President of WSPU.

The inclusion of parliamentarians from the Asia Pacific Region in the new WSPU Executive Committee is remarkable. Besides WSPU President Chung Eui-Hwa, Hon. Shionoyo Ryu of Japan is Vice-President and Hon. Nappres Mandachitra of Thailand is member.

Asia-Pacific Region was represented by parliamentarians from ten countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Scouts of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Members of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee attended the opening ceremony, together with key Scout officials such as the President of Brunei Darussalam Scout Council, the Chairman of the Scout Association of Japan and the National Secretary, and the new International Commissioner of Cambodia Scouts.

The assembly also accepted the hosting of the 7th WSPU General Assembly in Japan in the early part of 2013, the year when the Scout Association of Japan will host the 30th Asia Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree.