First regional scout event opens in Bhutan

29 September 2010 – The sixth series of Regional Communication Forums within world Scouting opens today in Bhutan. Over twenty participants from 13 National Scout Organizations (NSOs) together with 17 local participants inclusive of national headquarter staff and from various district scout associations, are gathering for the forum at a pine-clad resort in Thimpu.

At the opening ceremony, Chief Commissioner Chencho Dorji, expressed his satisfaction for the privilege of hosting the forum for representatives of NSOs from around the Asia-Pacific Region, saying that it is timely to have this Forum in Bhutan and very important for Bhutan Scouts Association itself to have a communications system in place.

Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed appreciated the Bhutan Scouts Association, a relatively young Scout association, for hosting a regional event for the first time, and for the participants for traveling long distances to travel to Bhutan, which is a bit out of the normal travel routes, for the three-day communication event. The Forum is also attended by the APR Profile Sub Committee Chairman, Mr. Shinya Mizuta and sub committee member Jate Sopitpongstorn of Thailand.

Richard Amalvy, the main resource speaker of the forum, expressed the need to re-translate the original message of Scouting Founder Lord Baden Powell. He highlighted the message “ Our tradition is innovation” which is very much a vital essence for the continued growth of Scouting.

Communication workshops or seminars have always been a very regular feature in the region and almost every year one regional event related to communications or PR are held within the region. The last workshop was held in Maldives and the next event is already in line for 2011.

The venue of this Forum which is Chuniding Resort in Babesa, just in the outskirts of Thimpu, an ideal resort among the lush pine trees where nature is bountiful -- making the forum an opportunity for education, for sharing and relaxing.