Young People Called to Innovate as the first Africa Rover Moot Opens
The 1st Africa Rover Moot has officially opened at the Rowallan National Scouts Camp in Nairobi, Kenya with over 600 Scouts and adult volunteers from 34 countries around the world. The 10-day camping event will see the participants aged between 18-26 years engage in various activities and challenges that will equip them with knowledge and skills for active global citizenship. Moots provide young adults an opportunity to create international friendships and understanding and be prepared to make a difference in the world. Being the first Moot in Africa, the event offers a great opportunity for the growth and development of Rover Scouting in the region and beyond.
The Chief Guest, Hon. Ababu Namwamba EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts of the Republic of Kenya expressed his delight in the African solidarity that granted Kenya the opportunity to host this first moot. “I recognize the importance of the Scout movement as a partner in promoting and advancing the development of young people. With its global membership of over 57 million, the movement is a social force that can be harnessed for good in areas such as peace and security, climate action and international integration,” he said. He challenged the Moot participants to push the limits of their imagination and take time to innovate ideas particularly in areas such as food production, ICT, environmental sustainability and preventing radicalisation. He expressed the Government’s commitment to work with Kenya Scouts Association to secure and protect the rich heritage of Scouting in Kenya including the PAXTU and Baden Powell Memorial Park in Nyeri.
The Chief Scout of Kenya, Prof. Amb. Jacob Kaimenyi while expressing his excitement in the moot having turned out to be more of a world than an Africa only event due to huge presence of Rovers from outside Africa noted that “Scouts are making a positive difference in the lives of people. The moot offers young people the opportunity to build friendships, acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes for life and shape them to be leaders and citizens who selflessly serve their communities.” He challenged them to be the embodiment of what it means to be good in society and use their innovation to make a difference.
Beyond gathering to celebrate their shared love for Scouting the Moot participants were urged to do their best, to be open to others, to experience and learn something new, to make new friends and innovate a new thing. “If you do these things, I’m sure in the end, you will have enjoyed every minute of your time at the Moot and will go back home with a memorable experience,” said Phinehas Muita, the Moot Camp Chief.
The Chair of the Africa Scout Committee, Maina Kiranga urged the participants to innovate solutions for the future and encouraged adults to be ready to handover the button to the young people and support them to excel. Diana Neil, member of the World Scout Committee encouraged the participants to smile to each other, build friendships, to be open minded to grow as individuals and as humans, and to have fun and enjoy every single moment of the Moot.
The Moot equates innovation and creativity to Rover Scouts as what swimming is to a fish. To paddle their canoes through the water tides, the Moot participants are called upon to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to the current challenges facing the youth and their communities. They are called upon 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 participants to take on the journey and be part of the adventures and discoveries the programme will offer.
The delivery of the moot is supported by a team of volunteer international service staff who arrived in advance to help with final preparations in readiness to receive the participants and ensure that they have an enjoyable and safe experience. The Moot will close on 25th April 2023.
