Scouts from Africa to Gather in Kenya for the 1st Africa Rover Moot in 2023

The first-ever Africa Rover Moot event for young adults will be held from 15th to 25th April 2023 at the Rowallan National Scouts Camp in Nairobi, Kenya. The event is organized by the Africa Scout Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and hosted by the Kenya Scouts Association and will subsequently be organized and hosted in different countries every 4 years.

A Rover Moot is a gathering of members of National Scout Organizations/Associations belonging to the branch/section of Rovers - which marks the climax of the Scouting programme for young people and the very contribution that Scouting ultimately makes to the Society by producing skilled, passionate and all-rounded youth ready to make a difference in the world. Moots allow young adults to move and meet to strengthen their international understanding as citizens of the world.

The Kenya Scouts Association won the bid to host the event following a resolution passed by the 17th Africa Scout Conference in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2018 that called for the promotion, growth, development and visibility of Rover Scouting in Africa.

While launching the event, the Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, ICT and Youth Affairs, Mr Joe Mucheru welcomed the event and congratulated Kenya Scouts Association on winning the bid to host the event. He affirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to supporting the planning and hosting of the event saying that "to ignore the youth, is to ignore our future. We will work together with all relevant government ministries to ensure the success of this event. We welcome the participants to come and enjoy the warmth and culture of the people of Kenya. Kenya hakuna matata."

The programme for the 1st Africa Rover Moot will provide young people with a myriad of opportunities, both indoor and outdoor, to learn, explore the world and be better citizens. The participants will be engaged and prepared for leadership and an active role in creating a better world through interactions with their peers in a camp setting and co-existence as one global family for 10 days. At the same time, they will have the opportunity to learn from each other in areas such as leadership development, peacebuilding, conservation and sustainable development goals.

Speaking at the launch, the Director, Youth Programme at the World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre, Jonathan Omondi said that “This first of its kind event for Rover Scouts in Africa signifies the region’s commitment to expanding Scouting to reach young adults over 18 years of age who are entering a critical stage in their development. We particularly see tertiary learning institutions and community groupings and avenues through which we can continue the work of empowering leaders who think of their communities before themselves. We invite our partners to work with us to deliver a transformative programme for these young people.”

The theme of the event shall be “innovating the next steps” by which the moot participants will be called upon to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to the current challenges facing young people and their communities; to take a lead and make their every move in life count as they seek to better themselves and those around them.

The event slogan “let’s go” is a call for all the moot participants to take on the journey and be part of the adventures and discoveries the programme will offer. It reminds all the Rover Scouts that they are on a journey, and no one should be left behind. Whatever direction their development path takes, the rovers are urged to "go".

On his part, the Chief Commissioner of Kenya Scouts Association, Mr Victor Radido noted that “Kenya is proud to have been given the opportunity to host this event. We use our experience in organizing the 4th Africa Scout Jamboree in 2000 and the 13th World Scout Moot in 2010 to deliver an event that will be the benchmark for all future Africa Scout Moots. We thank the National Scout Organizations of Africa for having faith in us and welcome them to what we promise will be a memorable event."

Participation in the event is open to young people aged between 18-26 years. The organization and delivery of the event will be supported by national Contingent Staff and an International Service Team made up of adult volunteers aged over 26 years.

Participants from East Africa will pay a participation fee of USD 100, while those from the rest of Africa and the rest of the world will pay USD 160 and USD 200 respectively. Members of the International Service Team and Contingent staff from East Africa will pay USD 70 while those from other African countries and the rest of the world will pay USD 100 and USD 150 respectively.
 

The official event hashtags are: #AfricaRoverMoot | #AfricaRoverMoot2023
 

World Organization of the Scout Movement, Africa Scout Region

The Africa Scout Region (Scouting in Africa) is a branch of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (World Scouting) responsible for fostering the Scout movement in sub-Saharan Africa. Scouting is the world’s leading educational youth movement engaging 54 million young people, adult leaders and volunteers in 224 countries and territories worldwide. As a growing Movement, Scouting is deeply embedded in local communities, responding to the diverse needs and aspirations of young people.

Since its founding in 1907, Scouting has engaged young people in transformative education, training and learning opportunities. Scouting offers young people a unique non-formal educational experience that directly contributes to their growth and development. In the region, Scouting has a registered membership of over 5 million young people and adult volunteers in 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Scouting in Africa’s office is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Find out more at www.scout.org/africa