APR NewsInfo May-June 2019 issues

SCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

NEWS NFO MAY & JUNE 2019

VOLUME 51, ISSUE NOs. 5 & 6

Scouts contribute to the SDGs, implement environmental protection story on page 2

Earth Hour 2019: Scouts working together to protect nature

8

Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Centenary with first Rover Moot

Hong Kong opens new centennial building

14

Scouts in Myanmar join other youth and civil society groups to clean up Yangon

COVER STORY

Scouts contribute to the SDGs, implement environmental protection Kim Robert C de Leon, Boy Scouts of the Philippines Scouts and Scout Leaders from Navotas City Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines bring the message of peace to the next level.

This time, Messengers of Peace in this part of the country are taking on a greater challenge - environmental protection.

Through the Program Enabling Active Citizenship and Environmentalism through Scouting (P.E.A.C.E. through Scouting) project, Scouts are encouraged to be actively involved in waste

2

reduction by way of recycling papers, cartons, and PET bottles, among others. In exchange, participating Scouts earn points that they can exchange for vouchers to defray expenses for their Scout membership fees, Scout uniforms, camping and other activity fees, as well as other school supplies and materials.

Given these mechanics, it provides opportunity for young people who have not joined the Scout Movement because of financial challenges, to be

Dr. Salita L. Salaysay Principal of Tanza Elementary School

part of the Scout Movement simply by earning points through

Photo (c) World Scout Bureau / Theresa E Quine

Elementary School, shared that the overwhelming support of all stakeholders has resulted in the collection of significant quantity of recyclable materials that could have gone into the dump sites if not properly disposed.

their recyclable materials. This strategy will pave the way for membership growth in Navotas City, north of the Philippine capital Manila, by targeting young people of Scouting age who come from low-income families.

In Tanza Elementary School, PEACE through Scouting is implemented with the support of all stakeholders the school administration, teachers, parents, and the village youth council.

Dr Salita L Salaysay, Principal of Tanza

In their school, Girls Scouts and members of other school organisations have also pledged their support and participation to PEACE through Scouting project, making Tanza Elementary School as the highest contributor to the project in their community as of the first semester of 2019.

According to Mr Kim Robert C de Leon, Project Officer of the PEACE through Scouting project, the initiative was already able to recover more than 4,800 kilograms of paper products and more than 1,100 kilograms of plastic products that are mostly PET bottles. Points earned from these recycled materials are expected to

help more than 5,000 Scouts and some other 5,000 young people who are actively supporting the project.

With the sustained implementation of PEACE through Scouting project, it is expected the Scout membership in Navotas City will increase and active participation in activities will be sustained especially those from low-income families. This will be made possible while contributing in the protection of the environment through waste management and recycling.

The PEACE through Scouting Project is supported by the Messengers of Peace Fund through the Diversity and Inclusion Challenge of WOSM’s Asia-Pacific Region. It is an active contribution of Scouts from the Philippines towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals Nos. 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

3

Through the Program Enabling Active Citizenship and Environmentalism through Scouting (P.E.A.C.E. through Scouting) project, Scouts are encouraged to be actively involved in waste reduction by way of recycling papers, cartons, and PET bottles, among others. In exchange, participating Scouts earn points that they can exchange for vouchers to defray expenses for their Scout membership fees, Scout uniforms, camping and other activity fees, as well as other school supplies and materials.

4

5

OUR REGION

APR Scout Foundation meets in Japan, renews commitment to support in Scouting Leonisa M Capinlac, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre

On the side-lines of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee meeting in Kagoshima, about 100 Scouts and Scout Leaders from Japan and some neighbouring countries gathered on 26 May 2019 for a fundraising event organised by the APR Scout Foundation.

On that special evening, members of the APR Scout Foundation, including some new entrants, gathered to raise funds anew, and saw

6

how their financial contributions helped, and continue to help various Scout projects and communities across the Asia-Pacific Region, giving them opportunities to grow as responsible individuals.

The gathering was able to generate about US$ 9,000.00 in contributions, both from existing members and new members. It was also graced by Mr Takeshi Iwakiri, Vice Governor of the Kagoshima Prefecture.

Photo (c) Scout Association of Japan

In his address, Dr Chao, Shou-Po, President of the APR Scout Foundation Management Committee, said the Foundation will continue to support Scouting and its programmes.

open new and exciting opportunities for our young people, and we will continue working hand in hand with the APR Scout Committee and the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre.

“The APR Scout Foundation is once again renewing its commitment to provide support for the Scout Movement across the Asia-Pacific Region. Our focus for this triennium is ‘Leadership Development’. We will

The event was organised by the Scout Association of Japan thru Mr Paul Murayama, and is the Foundation’s first fundraising event for the new triennium (2018-2021).

7

The APR Scout Foundation is once again renewing its commitment to provide support for the Scout Movement across the Asia-Pacific Region. Our focus for this triennium is ‘Leadership Development’. We will open new and exciting opportunities for our young people.

-- Dr Chao, Shou-Po, President of the APR Scout Foundation Management Committee

8

Photos (c) Scout Association of Japan

9

Congratulations to the winners of the 17th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Photo Contest.

This year, we received more than 200 amazing entries from 15 National Scout Organizations. These stunning photos capture the inspiring work that Scouts are doing across the region. The theme, “Scouts4SDGs”, highlights Scouting’s action-oriented approach to education and its continuing work to equip young people with the competencies to be active citizens and contribute to sustainable development. #Scouts #Scouts4SDGs #GlobalGoals

Ilh Ind

Ployrung Saptasewee Thailand, Bronze Prize Bang-Ning Lai TGASC, Bronze Prize

10

Asif Mehmood Pakistan, Gold Prize

Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Silver Prize

ham Achmad donesia, Bronze Prize

riar ammad Shah Sarwar Moh e iz Pr , Silver Bangladesh

11

OUR NSO Scouts visit mangrove nursery as part of SW Award Discovery

With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

12

Photos (c) Sctr. Mark Anthony Baloaloa and Sctr. Rani Corpuz, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

E

Fifty Scouts and Scout Leaders from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines’ Ilocos Region attended the 3-day Scouts of the World (SW) Award Discovery held at Lingayen, Pangasinan on 28-30 June 2019. The discovery focused on environment as its field of action where Scouts were brought to Bolinao town to observe and explore bay areas currently being forested and reforested with mangroves. They also visited the Provincial Mangrove Information Centre and Nursery and were taught all about mangroves, including practical applications of how to plant mangroves, basic care and actual cleaning.

SW Award Discovery is the first stage in the process of the SW Award Programme. It gives Scouts and non-Scouts the opportunity to explore and discover issues faced by local communities.

The SW Award is granted to individuals who have successfully accomplished an SW Discovery, an SW Voluntary Service, and joined the SW Award Network.

13

The discovery focused on environment as of action where Scouts were brought to B to observe and explore bay areas current being forested and reforested with mang

14

s its field Bolinao town tly groves.

15

Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Centenary with first Rover Moot

In the first ever Rover Moot of Nepal Scouts to celebrate the Rover Centenary, Prime Minister and Patron of Nepal Scouts, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, greeted the young people from different parts of Nepal who took part in this historic event.

“Scouting should be an ideal youth

16

organization in Nepal. Seeing young people participate brings me great pleasure with a Scouting programme that provides them with a sense of sharing, caring, and cultural exchange,” said the Prime Minister.

The Rover Moot was held on 31 May – 4 June 2019 in Pokhara, which gathered nearly 3,000

Scouting should be an ideal youth organization in Nepal. Seeing young people participate brings me great pleasure with a Scouting programme that provides them with a sense of sharing, caring, and cultural exchange.

-- Prime Minister and Patron of Nepal Scouts, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli

Photos (c) Nepal Scouts

participants from different parts of Nepal, including Rovers from Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and The General Association of the Scouts of China. Adding value to the Moot was its location, Pokhara, considered the gateway to world-famous treks around the Annapurna ranges.

Chief Scout and Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Jagat Bahadur Sunar chaired the opening and acknowledged that Nepal Scouts has stepped into a new era and will be the leading youth movement in the country. He said that Nepal Scouts will catch pace in development by reaching out to more young people to expand membership.

17

Nepal Scouts intensifies training on WOSM’s Better World Framework With reports from Ram Prasad Bhattarai, Nepal Scouts As a response to the growing clamour for capacity building trainings for unit leaders about the flagship programmes of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Nepal Scouts organised a Better World Promotion Training at Pokhara, Nepal on 2529 May 2019. The training was preceded by Nepal Scouts’ 1st Rover Moot.

About 60 unit leaders participated in the training coming from the different district Scout offices of thee Nepal Scouts.

Hon. Rajib Pahari, a member of the Parliament of Gandaki Province inaugurated the event. In

18

his speech, he stressed on the need for membership growth, and for young people to be trained under the Scout programme.

“There is a need for us to bring and introduce Scouting to more Nepalese youth.

To do this, there is a need for our Scout Leaders to be trained about the programmes of Scouting.”

He also expressed his desire to help in this mission. “I am committing myself to help forward the cause of Scouting in our country.

We will make every young person a Messenger of Peace.”

Photos (c) Nepal Scouts

Since 2017, Nepal Scouts had organised several Messengers of Peace (MoP) trainings for its unit leaders and is among the top ten countries with big contributions in terms of the number of registered users at Scout.org, the number of service projects and the number of service hours.

The Better World Promotional Training was facilitated by MoP NSO Co-ordinators from neighbouring National Scout Organizations Yasser Sarona from the Philippines and Wanyada Budhtranon from Thailand. The event was co-ordinated by Ram Prasad Bhattarai, MoP NSO Co-ordinator for Nepal.

There is a need for us to bring and introduce Scouting to more Nepalese youth. To do this, there is a need for our Scout Leaders to be trained about the programmes of Scouting.

-- Hon. Rajib Pahari, a member of the Parliament of Gandaki Province, Nepal

19

Hong Kong opens new centennial building Castor Wong, Scout Association of Hong Kong The Scout Association of Hong Kong formally inaugurated its centennial building on April 20.

Officially called the “Hong Kong Scout Centennial Building,� the structure is a 21-storey building that was redeveloped from the former 5-storey Tang Shiu-kin Building which serves as the Regional Headquarters for the Hong Kong Island Region.

The towering structure marks a significant milestone in the continuous development of the Scout Movement in the country.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and Chief Scout of the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Honour-

20

able Carrie LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, officiated the opening ceremony with the presence of ranking officials from the government.

World Scout Committee Chairman Craig Turpie was also present during the event, along with 23 other Scout Leaders from neighbouring National Scout Organizations.

The Hong Kong Scout Centennial Building incorporated many sustainable building designs, including sun shading fins to reduce energy penetration and natural ventilation for the staircase and

Photos (c) Scout Association of Hong Kong

The towering structure marks a significant milestone in the continuous development of Scouting in the country.

lift lobbies. The building accommodates an Integrated Training Centre, Aviation Training Centre, a Performing Arts Centre and an Art Gallery, as well as logistic facilities such as Scout Shop, Scout Library and Multi-purpose Hall.

The Aviation Training Centre is equipped with two full motion flight simulators, one desktop flight simulator and one A330 FMGS trainer for Ventures, Rover Scouts and Leader Training (Air Activity Badge - basic to advanced Aircrew

Badge). On the other hand, the Scout Intermediate Air Activity Training has 12 Logitech desktop flight simulators. All precision flight controls are the leading manufacturer of FAA-approved aviation training devices and flight simulator technology.

With the new building, the Scout Association of Hong Kong hopes to provide better venues and facilities for Scout trainings in the country.

21

Scouts help farmers harvest their crops for free A group of Rover Scouts from Bangladesh Scouts’

Helds Open Scout Group in Phulpur, Mymensingh are helping poor farmers harvest crops from their paddy fields at no cost. The activity is part of the group’s social activities.

Helds Open Scout Group is known in the entire

region for its community development projects and activities previously conducted. The group is led

crops and the rice. They also couldn’t afford to hire rice harvesters due to the high wages,” he said.

“It is because of these situations that made our group decide to help these farmers, to cut off the paddy

from the lands of the poor farmers; and we do this

voluntarily. We’re targeting to help at least 11 farmers,” he added further.

by Tasafik Haq Nafi. When asked why they selected

The Scout group is composed of about 50 Rover

community development activity, Nafi stated that the

out the farmers in Phulpur.

the farmers in Phulpur as the beneficiaries of their farmers in Phulpur are the most vulnerable.

“These are poor farmers, they till their lands in order to sell the harvest and earn some money. However, they don’t have enough manpower to harvest the

22

Scouts who all willingly devoted their time to help

One of the farmers, Abu Bakr Siddique, has been

suffering from cancer for over two years. “I have been

suffering from cancer for two years. I am penniless for the treatment and I have no money to hire people to

harvest my crops.”

Siddique is among those who paddy fields were har-

vested by the Rover Scouts. He sold his harvest at the market which earned him some cash, allowing him to buy medicine for his treatment and medication.

Milon Mia, a Rover Scout who participated in the

activity hopes to volunteer is such activities more

often. “It is my first time to harvest rice and crops, and the experience was very good. What made the experience more fulfilling is the fact that we were able to

help the farmers earn a living, and allow them to buy the essential things they need,” she narrated.

The initiative gained traction and other volunteers from the public and private sectors also came to help out. The Bangladesh Scouts has since sent

It is my first time to harvest rice and crops, and the experience was very good. What made the experience more fulfilling is the fact that we were able to help the farmers earn a living, and allow them to buy the essential things they need.

-- Rover Scout Milon Mia, Helds Open Scout Group Phulpur, Mymensingh

more Scouts to help out, including providing the

Scout group with some monetary assistance for the initiative.

Photos (c) Bangladesh Scouts

23

PARTNERSHIP STORY

Scouts in Myanmar join other youth and civil society groups to clean up Yangon With reports from Alex Kaung Myat Htoo, Coordinator for Communications and International Affairs, Myanmar Scout

Nearly 100 Rovers and Scouts banded together in the early morning of May 1 to clean up a garbage-filled back street in downtown Yangon. A civil society group, Clean Yangoon, spearheaded the activity in partnership with Myanmar Scout and the Yangon City Development Committee.

The clean-up lasted for eight hours, from 7am to 3pm at the innermost area of the 42nd Street which was filled with garbage and sewages with a depth of almost three feet.

24

Zaw Min Naing, a Scout who volunteered in the clean-up was very eager to help out, saying that it is a Scout’s primary duty to help the community. “I joined this activity because Scouts should always be prepared to render service when called for, and to help the community whenever necessary.

Cleaning our beautiful city and educating the people about proper waste segregation is my way of helping our community. That is what Scouts do, and I am glad to be a part of this.”

Photos (c) Myanmar Scout

...it is a Scout’s primary duty to help the community.

-- Scout volunteer Zaw Min Naing, Myanmar Scout

On the other hand, he also expressed his worries about the sheer amount of garbage in the back streets of Yangon.

“People really need to be aware about how to manage their garbage properly and systematically. The rampant throwing of garbage anywhere, with sheer disregard to standing laws and state policies should be handled sternly by the city government, and the people should be made aware of its impact to the overall hygiene and health condition of the neighbourhood,” he lamented.

Chief Commissioner Tin Nyo of the Myanmar Scout expressed his full support for the endeavour, saying that it is a Scout’s mandate to

care and protect the environment.

“The environment is an important part to a Scout’s life and training, and we been connecting with the environment, learning from nature and taking positive action for the local and global environments since Baden-Powell founded the Scout Movement in 1907. As the world continues to face a lot of environmental challenges, a Scouts, we are dutybound to contribute to prevent any further damages to the global environment,” he said.

Scouts and non-Scouts who volunteered during the clean-up activity committed to bring more volunteers for future clean-up activities.

25

UPCOMING EVENTS 18th Korean National Rover Moot The Korea Scout Association invites Rover Scouts to their upcoming 18th National Rover Moot scheduled on 13-15 August 2019 at Julpo Bay, Mudflat Ecology Park, Buan Country, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

The Rover Moot will feature various outdoor and indoor adventures, with emphasis on water activities. It will also feature the Korean culture which the participants may learn and enjoy throughout the Moot.

Applications should be submitted to the National Rover Scout Council thru Ms Lisa Kim <kimy55116@naver.com> and Ms Subin Katherina Park <subni225@gmail.com> not later than 19 July 2019.

For more information, you may refer to their event page at https://www.scout.org/node/528061.

APR Workshop on Good Governance The General Association of the Scouts of China (TGA Scouts of China) will be hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Good Governance on 21-24 September 2019 at the Chientan Youth Activity Centre in Taipei City.

The workshop will gather senior leaders from National Scout Organizations in the Asia-Pacific Region in order to help them better understand the essentials of good governance in Scouting. The workshop will also focus on equipping the participants with the methods, techniques and tools to be able to benchmark all ten (10) dimensions of the Global Support Assessment Tool (GSAT).

Inquiries and applications may be sent directly to Dr. Ie-Bin Lian, International Commissioner of The General Association of the Scouts of China at scouts@scout.org.tw.

For more information, you may refer to their event page at https://www.scout.org/node/528211.

26

13th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Moot

Scouts Australia will host 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. Activities will provide a chance to experience local attraction and traditions, as well as core Scouting skills.

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.

Open Call: Applications for the

SAPSC International Volunteer Programme The Suncheon AsiaPacific Scout Centre (SAPSC) is pleased to announce the open call for the applications for the 2nd Term of its International Volunteer Programme.

SAPSC is run in partnership between the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the Korea Scout Association and its Jeollanam-do Scout Council, and the Government of Suncheon City.

It is an educational centre as much as it is a Scouting centre.

Volunteers deliver the programmes in the centre, using Scout principles and they provide learning services and opportunities

to its visitors and the young people of Korea.

The Suncheon Asia-Pacific Support Centre has been home to volunteers from more than 20 different countries.

The application is open to Rover Scouts and Scout Leaders who are skilled, enthusiastic and interested in the Korean culture. The period for the second term is specified below: Term 2nd Term, SAPSC International Volunteer Programme Period Mid-August to Mid-November 2019 Interested parties are requested to apply thru this link <https://goo.gl/mBZv4W> not later than 31 May 2019.

You may refer to the documents attached for more details.

27

SCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC

NEWSiNFO EDITORIAL and DESIGN TEAM

J. Rizal C. Pangilinan Regional Director

Theresa E. Quine Assistant, Communications and Partnerships Neil Christian C. Bolandrina Assistant, Communication and Information Services Kenny Ralph S. Fernando Project Officer, Communications COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

(+63 2) 818-0984 asia-pacific@scout.org www.scout.org/asia-pacific

@ScoutinginAPR

RSC Meeting 25-26 May, Japan APR Scout Foundation Management Committee

Luz Taray Director, Communications and Partnerships

W

MAY MoP Thematic Team Meeting 9-12 May, Germany

APR Scout Foundation Fundraising Event 26 May, Japan

International Youth Day 12 August 5 NSOs Membership Growth Coordinators Meet 16-17 August, Malaysia APR NSOs Membership Growth Coordinators Meet 18-20 August, Malaysia 23rd European Scout Conference 24-28 August, Croatia

1st Nepal National Rover Moot 31 May - 4 June, Nepal

APR Staff Development Workshop 30 August - 3 September

JUNE 5th APR NSO MoP Coordinators Gathering 9-13 June 2019, Thailand

SEPTEMBER APR Programme Sub-Committee Meeting 6 September

APR Staff Management Meeting 19-20 June, Philippines Educational Methods Thematic Team Meeting 10-16 June JULY 24th World Scout Jamboree 22 July-2 August, USA AUGUST International Scarf Day 1 August

20-25 September, Pakistan International Day of Peace 21 September APR Workshop on Good Governance 21-24 September World Scout Committee Meeting 27-29 September, Egypt OCTOBER APR Consultants Pool Training 9-12 October, Thailand JOTA/JOTI 18-20 October Regional Scout Committee Meeting 18-20 October, Indonesia

NOVEMBER National Diversity & Inclusion World Children’s Day Workshop 20 November 8-11 September, Brunei Darussalam DECEMBER 29th Arab Scout Regional International Volunteer’s Day Youth Forum 5 December 1-6 September 3rd World Scout Education Congress 29th Arab Scout Regional Conference 7-10 December, Brazil 8-14 September, Egypt World Non-Formal Education APR Governance Sub-Committee 9-11 December, Brazil Meeting 20 September 13th APR Rover Moot/ 21st Australian Rover Moot National Youth Involvement 30 Dec-10 Jan 2020, Australia Workshop

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 aprcomms@scout.org

Get updated with the latest news about Scouting in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Click the link below and subscribe to our monthly newsletters:

bit.ly/aprnewsinfosignup