8th Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum Report

REPORT OF THE 8TH EASTERN AFRICA ZONAL SCOUT YOUTH FORUM HELD FROM 29TH DCEMBER 2013 TO 2ND JANUARY 2014 IN NGOZI – BURUNDI TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Preamble 2. The Youth Forum 3. Objectives 4. Agenda 5. Participation 6. Chairman’s Remarks 7. Session Outcomes 8. Statements From Guests 9. Resolutions and Recommendations 10. Youth Activity Proposals for 2014 11. Evaluation 12. Appreciation 13. Hosting of Next Zonal Youth Forum 14. Conclusion 15. Appendices

ideas, innovative thoughts, experiences and working methods 3. OBJECTIVES

The Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum provides a dual opportunity for young members: 

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1. PREAMBLE th The 8 Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum took place at Seminary in Ngozi District th of Burundi from Sunday 29 December 2013 to Thursday 2nd December 2014, alongside the Eastern Africa Scout Competitions and the 17th Eastern Zonal Scout Conference. The three events were graciously hosted by Association des Scouts du Burundi. The East Africa Zonal Scouts Youth Committee working with the National Scouts Youth Forum of Burundi coordinated the programme or the forum.

2. THE YOUTH FORUM The Youth Forum is an educational tool to support the process of developing youth participation in partnership with adults and young members in the oldest age sections.

The annual Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum is an event that empowers and inspires young people through a participatory approach, helping them to develop skills in decision making which can be used within Scouting and in society.

The Forum is a place for information, training and concrete experience of discussing and acquiring a deeper understanding of various issues. It is also a source of inspiration by providing the contact with new people, fresh

different

To discuss and express their views on issues of interest to them, preparing inputs and reporting to the Zonal Scouts Conference, including recommendations to the National Scout Associations of the zone; and To develop the skills necessary to strengthen their capacity to take part in decision- making processes and to actively be involved in their National Scout Associations.

4. AGENDA The theme for the 8th Eastern Africa Zonal Scouts Youth Forum was “Scouts Promoting Peace and Responsible Citizenship”. This was arrived at considering the situation in the member countries of the zone and the role Scouts can take in building peaceful communities and promoting responsible citizenship.

The agenda of the forum was developed around this theme based on the following topics.   

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Country Status Reports based on the outcomes of the previous forum st Outcomes of the 1 World Scout Education Congress Active Citizenship and Peace Building through dialogue & community service projects based on the Messengers of Peace initiative Managing for Outcomes: A result-oriented tool for quality assurance in project management Opportunities for Scouts in the East African Community Regional Integration Protocol

5. PARTICIPATION

7. SESSION OUTCOMES

The forum had a total of thirty two participants (20 male and 12 female) aged between 18 and 26 years and drawn from five countries. Below is the representation as per the countries present:

i) Country Status Reports The forum looked back to assess how far we have gone since the last forum by looking at what was resolved and recommended against what has been done; with the challenges faced and possible way forward. To help in conducting the assessment, the following questions were formulated:

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Burundi – 8 Participants Kenya – 6 Participants Rwanda – 3 Participants Tanzania – 5 Participants Uganda – 10 Participants

For yet another year the Ethiopia Scouts Association was not represented at the Forum.

South Sudan also did not manage to send representatives due to the insecurity situation in their country. The forum expressed its solidarity with the people of South Sudan with hope that the situation will get better soon.

The forum further called upon the zone to explore ways of supporting them as member countries under such circumstances. Attached to this report is a complete list of all participants with their details.

6. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

Youth Forum  Do you have a youth forum in your NSO?  If No, why?  If yes, how is it organized?  What role does it play in decision making in your NSO?  Is it effective? If yes what are the successes achieved so far?  If No, what are the challenges you are facing?

Rovering  About how many rovers are there in your NSO?  Does your NSO have a rover program?  If yes how effectively is it being implemented?

Nelson Opany, the chairman of the Eastern African Zonal Youth Forum set the pace with a brief talk about the background of the Youth Forum and its objectives. He further pointed out that the issues discussed in the forums are taken to forward to the NSAs. The various National Youth Representatives are also tasked to ensure follow up with their respective NSAs back at home. Nelson further emphasized the core business of Scouting as education, in line with the reaffirmation made by the 1st World Scout Education Congress to be education; and that it is a important for Scouts to expand the knowledge and practical skills in order to be of greater value to Society.

Messengers of Peace  How well do people understand MOP in your country?  What projects and activities of MOP have been done so far?  What do you think should be done to help promote MOP in your NSO?

Asked about Scouting, he responded by saying that, “in order to get the most out of the movement we need view Scouting in two ways; Scouting the Organization and Scouting the Individual. Scouting the Organization; is a platform for us to learn, interact and network as we endeavour to find our desired paths in life. And Scouting the Individual implies that a Scout puts the skills and knowledge acquired through the movement into practice for the advancement of community and self” he explained.

Other Activities  What other activities for young people have been undertaken this year?  What general comments, suggestions would you wish to give?

Entrepreneurship  What efforts are your NSO taking to promote entrepreneurship among rovers?  Give examples of successful initiatives undertaken so far  What challenges hinder the development and implementation of entrepreneurship programs in your NSO?

Based on the questions above, the participants went into their country groups and provided the following responses.

a) Youth Forum Uganda: There is a youth forum which plays a role of giving suggestions and advice to the National Committee which are taken up and implemented as per the youth problems, ideas and views at large. The forum however faces the following challenges; a gap between the youth and national leaders, limited funds for youth programs, communication barriers, corruption and lack of transparency in fund management.

Kenya: Kenya has a youth forum which is carried out annually and organized by the youth with full representations from all levels across the country (at the district by district youth representatives, at the county by county youth representatives and nationally by national youth representatives). It helps in decision making in terms of youth involvement. For example each district has a youth representative who organizes and coordinates a forum for the rovers in the district and forwards their recommendations and queries to the county level for implementation. Recognition of the youth in constitution of KSA has been one great achievemnet. In committees at every level there is a youth representative. This makes it possible for the youth to be involved in decision making Rwanda: Rwanda Scouts Association has no youth forum Burundi: Association des Scouts du Burundi has put in place strategies to involve the youth but it doesn’t have a structure Youth Forum as it is still at the beginning Tanzania: There is a youth forum in Tanzania with a number of activities are not effectively implemented. There is lack of commitment and spirit of togetherness in among the youth in the forum in Tanzania b) Rovering Uganda: USA has an estimated number of 500 rovers. The association does not have a Rover program which is in turn posing a challenge to rovering in the country Kenya: Kenya has an estimated number of 4,000 registered Rovers. The number has significantly increased over time. The revival of rover program has brought about a number

of effective activities. Examples include an ongoing review f the Rover Scout hand book and structures to guide rovers on what to do and for how they should be done.

Rwanda: It is difficult to ascertain the number of Rover Scouts but they stand as a voluntary team in the country. They promote the spirit of Scouting and act as role models to the community.

Burundi: The number of rovers in Burundi is not known exactly since no proper statistics have been taken yet. Burundi has got a Rovery Club as well as a Rovering book though many activities are being carried out at district levels. These include; improving security in the society, project planning and management and development of scout groups in schools Tanzania: TSA doesn’t have an exact number of Rover Scouts in the country. There is a program available but it is not being actively implemented c) Messengers of Peace Uganda: There is limited information and understanding about this MoP in Uganda.

There is need for sharing information among the youth and top leaders, recruitment of more youths to promote the project, sensitization of the masses and carrying out community projects as well.

Kenya: There is generally a considerable understanding of MoP as a global initiative meant to promote peaceful coexistence and unity in diversity. Various activities that have been carried out so far include: partnership with other Peace/Youth organizations such as the Peace Ambassador Kenya to create awareness on peace through peace walks, road shows and social media, National Youth Peace Summit, Brand Kenya Board, the Ministry of Devolution and Planning among others. Tree planting and community service activities have also been done. They are now targeting on enrolling more members across the country on the MOP platform to help reach the grass roots Rwanda: MoP has not been actively taken up in Rwanda and there is very little happening.

Partnership with other NSAs of the zone and the training of more MoP community leaders

would help to boost the initiative in the country.

Burundi: MoP is very active in Burundi and different trainings have been conducted by the team there. Participation in the International Day of Peace, community service activities and carrying out of good turns to the needy are other activities that have been done.

Tanzania: The person who was trained to take lead on the initiative became inactive and so no activities have been happening. TSA however took part in marking the International Peace Day in their country. No projects have been implemented so far but a lot is expected to happen in 2014 with tree planting and formation of MoP groups in schools. d) Entrepreneurship Uganda: The rovers of Uganda are engaginbg themselves in activities such as tree planting, liquid soap making, candle making, knitting and offering counseling services as entrepreneurial ventures despite inadequate funds, lack of raw materials and high competition.

Kenya: The Kenya Scouts Association has undertaken a number of initiatives to support entrepreneurship among the youths especially through partnerships with institutions such as Equity Bank to offer financial management training through to Rovers across the country.

KSA is making efforts to make it easier for rover units to get government funding such as the UWEZO fund. The challenges that abound in relation to this include little regard for the youth by top management and bureaucratic systems/processes that delay implementation of activities.

Rwanda: There is no effort made from the NSA but group activities from rovers themselves Burundi: They developed a project called open mind which aims at looking out the needs of the young people and contribute to finding solutions to them Tanzania: Very little has been done about entrepreneurship among young people in Tanzania e) Other Activities & General Suggestions

Uganda  USA should solicit for increased government support  Strengthen involvement of Scouting in the East African Cooperation  Improve communication among the youths and the leaders at large  Financial support for youth activities from the NSO  Involvement of Scouting in community development activities Kenya  An annual Roveree held (a badge camp to learn skills and earn badges)  Rover bonding nights; Rovers from across the countries come together for bonding and interaction  Chief Scout Award; The highest award given to rovers after undertaking the required training and badges.  Young people should take advantage of the opportunities in their countries to better themselves.

Rwanda: Conducted an ICT training for Rover Scouts Burundi  Participation in the celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child  Sensitization and participation in programs to curb the pregnancy of the young children  A campaign on curbing HIV ii) Outcomes of the Education Congress

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Discussed briefly the preliminary outcomes of the 1WSEC held last November in Hong Kong that discussed and reaffirmed education as the core purpose of the Scouting movement.

The full report is expected out by 24th February 2014 and will be shared with all NSOs iii) Active Citizenship and Peace Building through dialogue & community service projects based on the Messengers of Peace initiative This being closely related to the theme the forum placed great importance on the role the Scouting movement can and should play in promoting peace within the zone. Messengers of Peace initiative provides an opportunity to

for us to engage with the wider society on this.

Some of the issues raised related to:  The understanding of peace and the collective responsibility in its preservation  The meaning of citizenship and how good citizenship can be achieved  What Scouts can do to promote peace.

Education and sensitization through formal and non-formal means, upholding mutual tolerance, patriotism, role modeling and respect for law were identified as some of the ways through which peace can be promoted. iv) Managing for Outcomes: A resultoriented tool for quality assurance in project management Participants had an opportunity to also learn from Jonathan Omondi on embracing an outcomes-based approach for success. The session was about doing things differently based on the BACKS measure. 

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He argued participants to be creative saying that, “to be creative we need to run away from the minor ideas that run in our minds to actually implementing those ideas”.

Two things that young people need to change are “the way of thinking” and “common practice” The BACKS measure as the basis of change: Behavior, Attitude, Condition, Knowledge and Status We need to have a knowledge basis while carrying out our activities to help us in effective decision making When you think backwards you yield results and as a person you are pushed to carrying out effective research about barriers, anticipated results and expected outcomes.

He also talked about developing an outcome statement for whatever it is that one sets out to do and how to define the theory of change He concluded by asking each delegation to propose three things/ activities they would wish to achieve in their NSAs achieved year 2014.

v) Opportunities for Scouts in the East African Community Regional Integration Protocol

The Member of Parliament and Resident District Commissioner from Uganda also visited and shared with the forum an outline of the regional integration and some of the possibilities through which the movement and young people can engage in helping to push forward this regional agenda. This also included a pep talk by Paulo Tim form Enterprise Uganda, a local NGO in Northern Uganda.

Features of the Integration  Common market for a stronger economic bloc in world trade  Free movement of goods and people  Cultural integration  Cross border opportunities  Promoting peace, unity and other shared values  Enhancing favorable competitions in educations and jobs  Single currency to facilitate trade  Common language for easier communication Opportunities for youth  Information exchange for greater competitive advantage  Set up enterprises for value addition to explore fully processed products for greater competitiveness  Education and skill training 8. STATEMENTS FROM GUESTS i) Hon. Isaiah Kabarore, Constituency-Uganda 

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MP

Sironko

Scouting is a vehicle for socio-economic development, community transformation and a means of educating young people to fight corruption and bad governance.

The growth and total independence of Africa depends on its youth Scouting makes us brothers all over the world and in the aspects of togetherness it can be taken to be the force behind the achievement of the integration and hence exposing the young scouts to interact beyond their national boundaries As scouts we were argued to support the East African Cooperation hence contributing to the survival of East Africa.

The Member of Parliament made an assurance to work towards setting up a Uganda Scouts Parliamentary Union to support Scouting in Uganda.

ii) Paulo Tim, Enterprise Uganda   

Unemployment remains a great challenge for young people There is need for mindset transformation to change from job seekers to job creators Youth should start small and grow big in order to build a strong economic base for lasting development

iii) Deputy Resident Sironko District, Uganda     

Commissioner,

Promoting patriotism starts from the love of one’s country We need to encourage girls and advocate for their education Promoting peace widely is a prerequisite for economic growth Good citizenship is developed from a change of attitude and mindset Youth should learn to “use their hands” and move away from “spoon feeding”

iv) Ray Musau, Chief Commissioner, KSA: The business of Scouting is Youth Affairs 9. RESOLUTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS Having looked at and assessed the progress made towards the implementation of the outcomes of the 7th Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum held in Uganda in December 2012, it was noted with concern that little efforts had been made towards their realization. The forum therefore deliberately resolved not to make new resolutions and recommendations, but rather to urge all National Scout Associations in the zone relook at the resolutions and recommendations of the previous forum - as stated here below - and take the necessary action. i) Recommendations We, the participants of the 7 Scout Youth Forum;

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Gathered here at Luyanzi College in Bweyogerere, Uganda; Having deliberated and agreed upon the forum agenda as matters of common interest; Realizing our role as young people in contributing to the development of Rover scouting in the zone; Aware of the challenges facing young people in and out of scouting; Seeking greater interaction of the young

people for enhanced regional integration Determined to create a strong rover scouting movement that in the zone Hereby recommend to the East Africa Zonal Scout Conference; On the Youth Forum: That the National Scout Associations (NSAs) constitute the existence of the youth forum through their national constitutions and put in place relevant policies and mechanisms to support its development. We further seek that the host country ensures proper prior planning of the forum and the Zonal Youth Committee be supported to follow up on this.

On Rovering: That the conference encourages National Scout Associations to put in place a Roveringprogramme, with participation of the young people and enhance the integration of Rovering activities in the zone.

On Messengers of Peace: That the National Scout Associations in the zone adopt the Messengers of Peace initiative, facilitate capacity building for the young people to get involved and support them to develop projects that impact communities at grass root levels and enhance peace On Entrepreneurship: That the National Scout Associations recognize the need to promote entrepreneurship among their young members, create opportunities that promote innovation and skill development for their socio-economic independence and for the improvement of membership in their NSAs. ii) Resolutions We, the participants of the 7 Scout Youth Forum;

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Understanding our responsibility towards the successful implementation of the outcomes of this forum; Guided by the theme “Rovering to Success” as defined in our agenda; Committed to taking charge in defining the future we want; On behalf of the other young people we represent; Hereby resolve the following; On the Youth Forum: That we shall participate in the development of the forum in our National Scout Associations and mobilize

more young people to get involved On Rovering: That we shall engage our fellow rover scouts in the different National Scout Associations on coming up with suggestions for youth friendly ideas and activities for a more acceptable programme for the rover section.

On Messengers of Peace: That we shall develop and maintain a strong network of young Messengers of Peace in the zone through the National Youth Forum in our countries.

On Entrepreneurship: That we shall encourage the young people to develop innovative ideas that could be turned into entrepreneurial ventures to promote creation of job opportunities for themselves and others.

Tanzania  Training rover scouts as trainers of trainers from different regions on Messengers of peace  Training rover scouts to become peer educators on drug abuse in schools and scout groups  Training young people on environmental conservation and engage them in tree planting in areas like Dodoma and Singida Burundi  Training older Scout leaders on Messengers of Peace for them to be able to work better with the youth in and out of Scouting in promoting peace  Enhance leadership capabilities of young people through regular training  Creating groups in different regions with poor people to help in distributing food, clothes and other things to children and the elderly people

10.YOUTH ACTIVITY PROPOSALS - 2014 Rwanda  Establish the Youth Forum and follow up on its activities  Conduct a Messengers of Peace Walk to sensitize people on the importance of maintaining peace  Initiate the process of developing and implementing a Rover Scout programme Kenya  Creating awareness at grass-root levels on road safety  Conducting sex educational among young people on safe sex, abstinence and Sexually Transmitted Infections  Joining national tree planting efforts with the involvement of community members Uganda  Training young people on the Messengers of Peace project  Conducting walks to sensitize people on child abuse, child trafficking, child labour, child education and child prostitution  Providing humanitarian assistance to residents of Kasese region where floods swept away over 200 homes, hospitals , bridges and gardens; and resettling those affected by landslides in Bududa and Bulambuli districts in Mt. Elgon region in Northern Uganda

Zonal Youth Committee  Conduct country visits by members of the committee to meet with and inspire other rovers scouts in the various member countries 11.EVALUATION The forum commends the Association des Scouts du Burundi for the bold step they took towards hosting these zonal activities. We understand it takes a lot of effort and resources to bring together over five hundred people from five different countries. With regard to hosting the forum, we wish to note as follows:   

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Planning was adequately done to ensure the ASB was ready to receive the participants.

The venue was however not the best especially with regard to accommodation and sanitary facilities.

Efforts were made to ensure the welfare of participants was taken care of but a diversity of the meals should be considered in future Transportation, provision of conference materials and other logistics were well handled Generally it was a good effort made by ASB considering that it was the first time ever that the Association hosted a zonal Scout event.

12.APPRECIATION

15.APPENDICES

The forum wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the following:

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Association des Scouts du Burundi; for graciously hosting the event All National Scout Associations of the zone for supporting youth delegates to participate in the event The National Scout Youth Forum of Burundi led by Valery Mbonimpa for the hard-work in ensuring our comfort.

The World Scout Bureau-Africa Regional Office represented at the forum by Jonathan Omondi for the continued support; and for supporting the Tanzanian delegation to the forum through the Messengers of Peace funded project of “Developing Leadership in Young People in Africa”.

The Africa Scout Committee represented

by Dr. Wayne Adrian Davis for gracing the zonal events The Zonal Scout Youth Committee for the good work they did in successfully coordinating the agenda and other activities of the forum All guest and participants for taking their time to grace and attend the forum respectively And all those who worked in one way or another for the success of the forum

13.HOSTING THE NEXT ZONAL FORUM Following a resolution of the Zonal Conference, The Rwanda Scouts Association will host the next edition of Zonal Scout Activities including the inter patrol competitions, the 9th Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum and 15th Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Conference in December 2014.

We look forward to reporting greater progress and another engagement with the youth of Eastern Africa.

14.CONCLUSION As much as the forum provides a platform for involvement of young people in Scouting, more effort is required in the implementation of the outcomes of these forums.

Incorporating of the ideas and proposals from the forum would strengthen its relevance as a credible platform for youth engagement with meaningful contribution towards the growth of Scouting.

Participants Album East African Community Anthem

Report Published on 13th February 2014 by: Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Committee

Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum Zonal Secretariat c/o The Kenya Scouts Association P.O. Box 41422 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: info@kenyascouts.org Zonal Desk Officer c/o World Scout Bureau, Africa Regional Office P.O. Box 63070 – 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Email: africa@scout.org Committee Email: eascoutsforum@gmail.com Eastern Africa Zonal Youth Committee (2012-2014) Chairman: Nelson Opany-Kenya, Secretaries: Tracy Kagonyera-Uganda, Fabian Akarikumutima-Rwanda, Members: Valery Mbonimpa-Burundi, Samson YounanSouth Sudan, Carol Mbithe-Kenya, Byamukama RodgersUganda, Niyomungelimwiza Bertrand-Rwanda, Anna Emmanuel-Tanzania, Rashid Murtadhwa-Tanzania, ExOfficio: Grace Michuki (Chair, Africa Scout Youth Forum)