CNV team boosts Cambodia Scouts

The Committee NSO Visit (CNV) that began in Cambodia on 14th March 2011 is a significant occasion to enhance awareness and understanding of the current needs of Cambodia Scouts in its work to develop Scouting in the country.

The three-day mission, led by the 1st Vice Chairman Prakorb Mukura, started with a simple opening ceremony at the Council of Ministers complex at the heart of Phnom Penh. Soon after, an active interaction focused on the major needs of a newly established scout association such as management, youth programme, and adult resources.

Comprising the regional team are 2nd Vice Chairman Dr. Mukyuddin bin Sarwani, Committee member Nicholas Tan and Consultant Mohamed Ali Khalid and the executives of the regional office. At the Cambodian side are highly distinguished Scout leaders including two Vice Presidents, Mr Tuon Siphann and Mr Kong Uok; Chief Commissioner Phan Sokim; Secretary General Mr. Lak Sam Ath and both the Programme and Adult resources Commissioners and their deputy Commissioners.

Highlights of the first day discussion was an appreciation of the variety of Scout activities in community service, social services and doing good deeds. These cut across many areas of work ranging from good sanitation to environment awareness, from maintaining public order in large national events to cleanliness around the city. Scouts are involved in educating the public on proper disposal of garbage, traffic control and tree planting in over 9 provinces. Thousands of Scouts have volunteered in the renovation of school libraries.

In addition, over 850 Scouts have gone camping, exploring and learning Scout skills in preparation for the planned first National Scout Jamboree.

Cambodia Scouts, which became a full member of WOSM in 2008, has a current membership of over 5700, of which 3000 are Scouts, 1600 are Rovers and over 900 adult leaders. The national strategic plan for 2010-2013 has six priorities, among which is membership growth aiming at 150,000 members by 2020. This calls for vigorous training of more unit leaders. An Assistant Leader Training course has been proposed for November 2011. Arrangements are also underway for the presentation of the country’s first wood badge beads to a group of 44 scout leaders who will immediately become the front-runners in conducting orientation courses nationwide. Basic training courses for adult leaders are planned for early next year to train sufficient leaders who will organize new Scout groups.

In the discussion, options were shared in strengthening community based scouting with the help of other international agencies who are running various social projects within Cambodia. Possibilities will be explored where Scouting could reach children in established institutions such as street children homes, half-way houses, orphanages, delinquent centres and prisons.

Immediately after the 3-day CNV mission will be a four-day programme development workshop to be conducted by the Asia-Pacific Region. The workshop aims at creating a greater understanding of the Youth Programme Policy and the cycle of programme development. The recently adopted World Scouting strategy towards leadership for life at the Brazil Conference will form part of the initial inputs of the workshop.

Picture 1: © Cambodia Scouts