NEWS NFO SCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
JANUARY 2019
VOLUME 51, ISSUE NO.1
Vietnam rejoins Scout Movement, grows membership to 170 strong story on page 2
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APR leaders commit to bold targets to achieve APR Plan 2018-2021, contribute to WOSM Vision 2023
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Scouts Australia, SolarBuddy.Org join together to build solar lights for communities with less access to light
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Scouts save a 16-year old boy from drowning
COVER STORY Vietnam rejoins Scout Movement, grows membership to 170 strong
World Scouting welcomed Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam as its 170th member, marking a historic moment as Vietnam formally rejoins the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) after 44 years. The move comes following a period of collaboration and unification for Scouting in Vietnam, supported by local leaders in close collaboration with the World Scout Bureau’s Asia-Pacific Support Centre and the Regional Committee. Scouting has existed in Vietnam for nearly a century, but official Scouting activities ceased as a consequence of the war in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in the loss of official WOSM membership in 1975. However, over the past two decades, Scouting has seen a
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resurgence at the grassroots level with activities for Cubs, Scouts, and Rovers conducted on a weekly basis by trained Scout leaders. During recent meetings of Vietnamese leaders with representatives from the Asia-Pacific Support Centre, several members of Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam’s interim board expressed their eagerness and anticipation for the future of Scouting in Vietnam that after a long wait, the time has come to give the young people of Vietnam the educational programme of Scouting they long deserve. “I’d like to express my gratitude to the leaders of Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam and colleagues at the Asia-Pacific Support Centre for
their incredible commitment and contribution, which has made this milestone a reality. Thanks to your efforts, we can now bring quality Scouting to Vietnam, advancing our work to prepare young people for an ever-changing world,” said World Scout Committee Chairperson, Craig Turpie, following the announcement. “The leadership at Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam has worked hard to engage volunteers and young people in an inspiring Scouting programme that will have a lasting impact in the empowerment of young people in Vietnam,” said WOSM Secretary General, Ahmad Alhendawi. “With Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam rejoining, the Scout Movement is now 170 members
strong, making WOSM the largest youth organisation in the world both in terms of the numbers of countries and active Scouts. We look forward to the work ahead in supporting the growth of Scouting as a unique programme for young people in Vietnam.”
early as the 1920s. During this time, early Scout troops consisted mainly of children from the French quarters where local educators such as Tran Van Khac and Hoang Dao Thuy took interest and pioneered the first Scout units in northern Vietnam.
Today, there are more than 5,000 Scouts in Vietnam and the country’s Scout leadership comprises former Scouts from the business, education, and public service sectors. “This journey for Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam has been 20 years in the making, and we are looking at the future of Scouting in Vietnam with great anticipation,” said the Regional Director of the Asia-Pacific Scout Region, J. Rizal C. Pangilinan. He added that “Part of Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam’s strategic goals are membership growth and the Sustainable Development Goals. We have a pool of Scout leaders, WOSM consultants, and partners inside and outside of Vietnam to support the organisation in achieving these goals.”
The first training centre was created in 1938, and the first Indochina Jamboree was held in 1941 in Vietnam with the participation of Scouts from Cambodia and Laos. Scouting flourished in subsequent years and the Scout Association of Vietnam became a member of WOSM in 1957. Vietnam was one of the founding countries of the 1st Far East Regional Scout Conference in 1958 (the predecessor of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference).
A long history of Scouting in Vietnam Scouting began in Vietnam as
Since the loss of official WOSM membership in 1975, Scouting endured throughout the years, with a notable increase in the last few decades during which local leaders persisted to regain official recognition in the country, as well as in WOSM. Over the past 20 years, with continued support from the World Scout Bureau’s Asia-Pacific Support
Centre, Scouting in Vietnam has strengthened its training programme for a new generation of Scout leaders with three consecutive advanced Wood Badge training courses held in the Philippines from 2010 to 2011. Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam also received technical and financial support from other National Scout Organizations and individuals. Subsequent basic training courses and simultaneous camps were held in the cities of Hanoi, Nghe An, and Nam Dinh, and more Scout groups were formed in the highland provinces. A strategic plan was prepared in 2013 to set the roadmap for Scouting in Vietnam, including the unification of parallel Scout groups. The formal membership application from Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam to rejoin WOSM was received in July 2018 and endorsed by the World Scout Committee in October 2018. Following a formal postal ballot with all existing 169 Member Organizations over the past three months, Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam has become the 170th member of WOSM as of 10 January 2019. Source: (scout.org)
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OUR REGION APR leaders commit to bold targets to achieve APR Plan 2018-2021, contribute to WOSM Vision 2023
The APR Scout Committee and Sub-Committees Orientation and Induction ended on Monday, January 28, with regional leaders committing themselves to realise the goals and strategic priorities of the recently approved APR Plan 2018-2021. They also agreed to fully operationalise and mobilise the APR Strategy and Monitoring Task Force in order to ensure that all elected and appointed leaders in the APR Scout Committee and its different Sub-Committees and Task Forces fulfil their roles and responsibilities. “Over the past few days, we have forged an even stronger working relationship among each and
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every one of us [members of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee and the APR Sub-Committees], including the competent pool of professionals of the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Ahmad Rusdi who also leads the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee as its chairman. “Expectations have been set and commitments have been made. Our targets are towering, but we have agreed on the most effective way on how to carry out our work in the next three years. We will work as a team, we will support each
other, and we will give our undivided best for this great Asia-Pacific Region,” he added. Regional leaders attending the second induction training and orientation agreed to mobilise all National Scout Organizations to realise the APR Plan 20182021 and its five key strategic priorities – Young People, Adults in Scouting, Governance, Financial Management, and Communications and Partnerships. Each of five key strategic priorities have been carefully aligned with the WOSM Triennial Plan 20172020 to ultimately contribute towards the realisation of WOSM’s Vision 2023.
Regional Director J. Rizal C. Pangilinan of WOSM’s Asia-Pacific Region assured the regional leaders of the support of the full complement of the World Scout Bureau’s Asia-Pacific Support Centre. “We have worked hard to prudently align and integrate our regional plan with the global plan. It was a long process, and it was a process that took a lot of things into consideration. You are assured that the Asia-Pacific Support Centre will assist in co-ordinating the work of each Sub-Committee in order to support the implementation of the APR Plan 2018-2021.” “Our work for this triennium is crucial if we are to ensure that we are
providing our National Scout Organizations with the most coherent and integrated approach to support them and to deliver our services,” Pangilinan emphasised further. The wide range discussions in the four-day induction training and orientation also equipped the participants with the working knowledge and essential information about the operations and structure of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. It ensured that all elected and appointed volunteers are prepared to successfully carry out their roles, and it has aligned the Regional Scout Committee and its
Sub-Committees around shared priorities and working methods for their term. The APR Scout Committee, along with all the chairmen of its Sub-Committees agreed on the mutual expectations about their roles, and underpinned the importance of having a common understanding of the regional plan, as well as the resolutions approved during the 26th APR Scout Conference and how it affects the regional plan. Interactive and engaging sessions were made possible with the participation of global and regional resource persons within WOSM.
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CENTENARY CELEBRATION Wood Badge Centenary Celebration kicks off with virtual campfire
#ShapingLeaders The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) kicked off the Wood Badge Centenary Celebration through a Virtual Campfire on January 17, Thursday. Ideas around the Wood Badge, including programmes and activities lined up throughout the year were discussed. It was attended by over 600 participants from different parts of the world. “The aim for tonight is not just about presenting the Wood Badge activities inventory from our [World Scout Bureau’s] end,
The Wood Badge centenary revolves around tradition, standards, unity and impact.
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but it is equally important that you [volunteers] also share your ideas with us, what you think might be interesting and what you think should be done throughout the year,” said Tadej Pugelj, Director of Adult Resources and Volunteer Development of the World Scout Bureau Global Support Centre. During the campfire, WOSM volunteers and staff took turns to highlight the Wood Badge centenary which revolved around tradition, standards, unity and impact.
Today, celebrating Centenary, the Wood Badge remains as an important mechanism for shaping the leaders of the Scout Movement. WOSM has committed itself to recruit and retain more adult volunteers in order to empower more young people and to commit to the cause and support the implementation of WOSM Vision 2023. (With reports from Syd Castillo, Director of Educational Methods, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre)
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PARTNERSHIP STORY
By now, you will have already heard about how the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) has signed up to help the United Nations (UN) make the world a better place for everyone through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scouts are actively making a contribution to the SDGs through WOSM’s newest global initiative, Scouts for SDGs. Scouts who attended the 25th Australian Scout Jamboree in South Australia truly demonstrated their role as Messengers of Peace and contributed to making the world a better place for everyone. The project directly
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contributed to at least four SDGs -- Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and Goal 17 (Partnership for Global Development). Goal 17 is all about partnerships, and the project was a culmination of a yearlong effort working with not-for-profit Australian charity SolarBuddy.Org. The construction of 2,000 solar lights during the Jamboree was the culmination of over 4,000 hours of effort in fundraising, developing and delivering the programme. For every light, it is estimated it will help at least five members of a community. Over
10,000 people are expected to benefit from the project. Each of the solar lights will be distributed to a child in neighbouring countries. For this project, the solar lights will be sent directly to communities in Papua New Guinea with little or no access to light. The solar lights are expected to have a positive effect on improving the education, health and living standards for the people in communities who receive them. The programme was developed and was being delivered by Australian Rover Scout, Sorrel Fuller, 23, as part of her community development project towards her Baden-Powell
Scouts Australia, SolarBuddy.Org join together to build solar lights for communities with less access to light
Scout Award and Scouts of the World Award. The hands-on activity encourages the Scouts to learn about the UN SDGs and how they relate to the Scout Promise and Law. The Scout Law is a set of values for us to live by to help us all be better people so pretty similar to the SDGs. Sorrel said she had found the project extremely rewarding because they will be creating significant impact in communities, and at the same time, they will be able to educate the Scouts about environmentally sustainable projects. “When we were delivering the pro-
gramme, we could really see that it was an instant hit for many Scouts and Scout Leaders. They were all very happy because they were able to make a different with one little light,” Sorrel added. After the lights were assembled, the Scouts were asked to write a letter for the would-be recipients, telling them their experiences and the things that they’ve learned while soldering the solar lights. The Scouts really liked the combination of building the lights and knowing that the lights will be going to kids in other countries, and by extension, possibly contributing to improving the lives of the recipients.
Chloe, 14, said building a light meant a lot to her, especially so that the solar lights will be distributed to other kids as well. “I hope this light will help you a lot and bring some joy and love into your lives,” Chloe wrote. Edward, also 14 and a Scout from the Australian Capital Territory, said he hoped his light would help brighten the future of his recipient and help make their dreams come true. (With reports from Kate Lehane, Branch Commissioner – STEM (ACT Branch), Scouts Australia)
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PARTNERSHIP STORY BSP partners with the International Labour Organization to raise awareness about occupational safety and health from the programme.”
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the International Labour Organization has launched two new merit badges on Occupational Safety and Health for the more than 2.6 million Scouts in the Philippines. The launch was conducted during the 59th Annual National Scout Executives Conference in Baguio City, Philippines on 11 December 2018. The new merit badges were developed by a technical pool of consultants from the ranks of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the International Labour Organization and the Philippine Occupational and Health Centre. The Safety and Health Merit Badge is for the Boy Scout Section aged 9 to 12 years old, while the Occupational Safety and Health Merit Badge is for the Senior Scout Section aged 12 to 17 years old. Just like regular merit badges, the Scouts may earn these merit badges by combing through set of requirements and tasks which will introduce them to the basics of Occupational Safety and Health in a way that fits the educational objective of their respective sectional programmes. In his address, BSP Secretary General Rogelio S. Villa, Jr. stressed that one of the most important measures of a Scout’s growth and development in Scouting is the Merit Badge. He emphasised that “the merit badges signify a Scout’s commitment to excel, and it symbolises the learnings and the experiences a Scout gets
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“These Merit Badges, the Occupational Safety and Health Merit Badge for the Senior Scouts and the Safety and Health Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts are very unique. If a Scout could accomplish all the requirements to earn this badge, he/ she will be doing his or her family and the nation a great service. Imagine our young people drawing the line between safety and danger, health and wellbeing, not just of Scouts, but those who, though still young, found themselves working or joining the workforce to, perhaps, help the family make both ends meet,” he added further. In separate statement, BSP Deputy National Programme Commissioner Efren Edgard P. Dieta said that the Boy Scouts of the Philippines does not approve of young workforce. “Our young people must be enjoying their innocence exploring the world, not working at an early age just to fill an empty stomach. They should be filling their minds with knowledge and wisdom, of fun and adventure in school, not toiling hard amid the dangers of losing their innocence in
Boy Scouting
some unfriendly workplaces. They should be in Scouting, instead of the gold mines. They should be marching and singing and having fun with their fellow Scouts, instead of working for some factories for hours. They are young and are full of potentials and to spend their time in some plants and shops instead of learning lessons in school could hamper their growth,” he said. This initiative from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is part of the ILO SafeYouth@Work Project funded by the United States Department of Labour. The project recognises that occupational safety and health vulnerabilities among the young people can be addressed by developing in them a culture of prevention by raising their level of awareness either in schools, at home or in their respective communities. Learn more: Launch of Scout Merit Badges on Occupational Safety and Health (With reports from Katherine B Brimon (National Project Coordinator, International Labour Organization) and Carmelo B Francia (Program Research and Development Officer, Boy Scouts of the Philippines)
Senior Scouting
OUR NSO Scout Leaders in Maldives undergo Basic Unit Leaders Training Course
A Basic Unit Leaders Training Course (BULTC) was conducted by the Scout Association of Maldives in Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi for the country’s northern region. The course commenced on January 2 with 29 Scout Leaders from ten different schools. The training course was conducted by members of National Training Team, with some assistance from local trainers in the region. Ashraf Waheed, SAM’s Public Relations Commissioner, said that they are mobilising Scout Leaders with higher training to help them out in preparing younger leaders for the tasks ahead. “This is the first of the four training courses for Scout Leaders scheduled throughout the year. We are training our Scour Leaders with the neces-
sary technical knowledge in establishing and managing Scout troops for Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Rover Scouts section. These trainings are necessary so that our leaders may properly guide our Scouts, and eventually help them comb through the advancement process,” he added. The course concluded on January 6. Separate courses are scheduled to be held in February and March for the central and southern regions, and an Advanced Unit Leaders Training Course to be conducted in April. (With reports from Mohamed Luth Ibrahim Ziyau, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of Iskandhar Scout Group, Scout Association of Maldives)
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Scouts save a 16-year old boy from drowning
Two Scouts from the Scout Association of Maldives saved a 16-year old boy from drowning while spearfishing. Ahmed Ahunaf of Raa Atoll Inguraidhoo was spearfishing near the island’s shore when he chased a grouper and got separated from his friends. While trying to catch a fish, his spear, which was tangled to his hands, got stuck between boulders of rock. According to Ahunaf, he tried to untangle the rope from his hands and swim ashore, but the current made it difficult. “I was struggling to remove the rope and the spear, and I was running out of air. It was very difficult,” he said.
were pushed against time as Ahunaf was quickly losing air and eventually lost consciousness. They tried to pull the spear and untangle the rope repeatedly. When all hope seemed lost, Fauzaan managed to finally loosen the thread, and Ghafoor quickly brought him up to get some air. They brought Ahunaf ashore and swiftly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). With the help of some locals, they brought Ahunaf to Inguraidhoo Health Centre for immediate treatment. According to the Medical Officer, the reason for the quick recovery of the patient [Ahunaf] was due to the timely intervention by the rescue group.
The incident caught the attention of two Scouts from Inguraidhoo School, Nishaah Abdul Ghafoor and Ali Fauzaan who immediately came to the rescue.
The Scout Association of Maldives has commended the two Scouts for their heroic act and both will be honoured in a formal ceremony.
They grabbed Ahunaf and tried to bring him up to catch some air, but the rope tying the victim’s hand to the spear made things difficult. They
(With reports from Mohamed Luth Ibrahim Ziyau, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of Iskandhar Scout Group of the Scout Association of Maldives)
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UPCOMING EVENTS 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot
Scouts Australia invites Rovers for the upcoming 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot / 21st Australian Rover Moot scheduled from 30 December 2019 to 10 January 2020 at Canberra, Australia. The Rover Moot will include a wide and varied programme showcasing the theme “Creating Better Rovers”. The programme will include five days of an expedition phase, as well as seven days of the participant’s choice of onsite and offsite activities. The Moot will provide a chance to experience local attraction and traditions, as well as core Scouting skills.
Applications are already open and will close on 30 June 2019 for all international participants. For more information, visit the event’s website, www.cbrmoot.scouts.com.au or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CBRmoot. You may also get in touch with the Moot Secretariat at info@cbrmoot.scouts.com.au.
www.cbrmoot.scouts.com.au
24th World Scout Jamboree
22 July - 2 August 2019
The theme for the 24th World Scout Jamboree is Unlock a New World and was developed by the youth bid team, also known as the Dream Team. This theme speaks to the new adventures, cultures, and friendships that will be shared by Scouts from around the world during the 12-day event in North America, a continent often referenced as a “New World.” THE VENUE
The Summit Bechtel Reserve is located in West Virginia, USA, and is comprised of more than 14,000 acres (5,667 ha) of beautiful forested mountains adjacent to more than 70,000 acres (28,328 ha) of national park in the scenic New River Gorge area of West Virginia.
GEAR UP FOR THE WEATHER!
The month of July is characterized by warm weather, with daily high temperatures around 79 degrees F/ 26.1 degrees C and daily low temperatures around 62 degrees F/16.6 degrees C, and moderate to high humidity. The site typically experiences partly cloudy conditions during the month with the possibility of thunderstorms and rainshowers.
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SCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC
NEWSiNFO REGIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM
J. Rizal C. Pangilinan Regional Director Luz Taray Director, Communications and Partnerships Theresa E. Quine Assistant, Communications and Partnerships Neil Christian C. Bolandrina Assistant, Communication and Information Services Kenny Ralph S. Fernando Special Project Officer, Communications COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
(+63 2) 818-0984 asia-pacific@scout.org
W
www.scout.org/asia-pacific
@ScoutinginAPR
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FEBRUARY 3rd International Peace Camp 6-14 February, Saudi Arabia National Rover Conference & Ocular visit of 27th APR Scout Conference venue 9-13 February, Taiwan Visit to Nepal 15-20 February Founder’s Day 22 February, worldwide Visit to Vietnam 28 Feb-4 March APRIL WSC and WSF Meeting 4-7 April, Korea MAY RSC Meeting 24-26 May, Japan
APR Scout Foundation Dinner 26 May, Japan JUNE APR Management Meeting 18-20 June
OCTOBER APR Consultants Pool Training 8-12 October, Thailand JOTA/JOTI 18-20 October
JULY 24th World Scout Jamboree 22 July-2 August, USA
Regional Scout Committee Meeting 11-13 October
AUGUST International Scarf Day 1 August
NOVEMBER World Children’s Day
International Youth Day 12 August 23rd European Scout Conference 24-28 August, Croatia SEPTEMBER 29th Arab Scout Regional Conference 8-14 September, Sharm El Sheik International Day of Peace 21 September, worldwide
DECEMBER International Volunteer’s Day 5 December 3rd World Scout Education Congress 7-10 December, Brazil 13 APR Rover Moot/21st Australian Rover Moot 30 Dec -10 Jan 2020 Australia
World Scout Committee Meeting 27-29 September, Egypt
The APR NewsInfo provides an outlet for great Scout stories, news and updates in the Asia-Pacific Region to be told and shared to the world. Do you have inspiring Scout stories that you want to share? Is your troop doing something to create a better world? Does your Scout project impact the lives of other people? If your answers are yes, we want to publish your story in our monthly newsletter. To submit, simply email your article or your story in word format (.doc or .docx) to asia-pacific@scout.org
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