MAY & JUNE 2019 VOLUME 51, ISSUE NOs. 5 & 6

NEWS

14Earth Hour 2019: Scouts working

together to protect nature8

NFO

Scouts contributeto the SDGs, implement environmental protection

story on page 2

Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Centenary with first Rover Moot

Scouts in Myanmar join other youth and civil society groups

to clean up Yangon

SCOUTING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

Hong Kong opens new centennial building

2

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 encour-aged to be actively involved in waste

reduction by way of recycling papers, cartons, and PET bottles, among oth-ers. 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

part of the Scout Movement simply by earning points through

COVER STORY

Kim Robert C de Leon, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

Scouts contributeto the SDGs, implement environmental protection

Dr. Salita L. Salaysay Principal of Tanza Elementary School

3

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

Elementary School, shared that the overwhelming support of all stake-holders has resulted in the collection of significant quantity of recyclable materials that could have gone into the dump sites if not properly dis-posed. In their school, Girls Scouts and mem-bers of other school organisations have also pledged their support and participation to PEACE through Scout-ing 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 initia-tive was already able to recover more than 4,800 kilograms of paper prod-ucts 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 Na-votas City will increase and active par-ticipation 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 man-agement and recycling.

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

Photo (c) World Scout Bureau / Theresa E Q

uine

4

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.

5

6

OUR REGION

On the side-lines of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee meeting in Kagoshima, about 100 Scouts and Scout Leaders from Japan and some neighbour-ing 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 en-trants, gathered to raise funds anew, and saw

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 respon-sible individuals.

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

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

7

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

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

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

Photo (c) Scout Association of Japan

8

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

9Photos (c) Scout Association of Japan

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”, high-lights 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

Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Bronze Prize

Bang-Ning Lai TGASC, Bronze Prize

Ployrung Saptasewee Thailand, Bronze Prize

10

Asif Mehmood Pakistan, Gold Prize

Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Silver Prize

Sarwar Mohammad Shahriar

Bangladesh, Silver Prize

Ilham Achmad Indonesia, Bronze Prize

11

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

12

Scouts visit mangrove nursery as part of SW Award Discovery

OUR NSO

With reports from Bernando G. de Leon, National Commissioner for Community-Based Scouting, 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 environ-ment 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

Photos (c) Sctr. Mark A

nthony Baloaloa and Sctr. Rani Corpuz, Boy Scouts of the Philippines

14

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.

15

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.

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

Nepal Scouts celebrate Rover Centenary with first Rover Moot

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

16

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

participants from different parts of Nepal, including Rovers from Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and The General Asso-ciation of the Scouts of China. Adding value to the Moot was its location, Pokhara, con-sidered 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 devel-opment by reaching out to more young people to expand membership.

17

Photos (c) Nepal Scouts

18

As a response to the growing clamour for capacity building trainings for unit lead-ers 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 25-29 May 2019. The training was preceded by Nepal Scouts’ 1st Rover Moot.

About 60 unit leaders participated in the train-ing 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

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 intro-duce 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.”

With reports from Ram Prasad Bhattarai, Nepal Scouts

Nepal Scouts intensifies training on WOSM’s Better World Framework

19

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 Wan-yada 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

Photos (c) Nepal Scouts

20

Castor Wong, Scout Association of Hong Kong

Hong Kong opens new centennial building

The Scout Association of Hong Kong formally inaugurated its centennial building on April 20. Officially called the “Hong Kong Scout Centenni-al 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-

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 Organiza-tions. The Hong Kong Scout Centennial Build-ing incorporated many sustainable building designs, including sun shading fins to reduce energy penetration and natural ventilation for the staircase and

21

lift lobbies. The building accommodates an Inte-grated 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

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

Photos (c) Scout Association of Hong Kong

Badge). On the other hand, the Scout Inter-mediate 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.

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 by Tasafik Haq Nafi. When asked why they selected the farmers in Phulpur as the beneficiaries of their community development activity, Nafi stated that the 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

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 farm-ers,” he added further.

The Scout group is composed of about 50 Rover Scouts who all willingly devoted their time to help out the farmers in Phulpur.

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

Scouts help farmers harvest their crops for free

22

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 expe-rience 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 more Scouts to help out, including providing the Scout group with some monetary assistance for the initiative.

It is my first time to harvest rice and crops, and the expe-rience 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

23

Photos (c) Bangladesh Scouts

24

Nearly 100 Rovers and Scouts banded to-gether 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 Develop-ment 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.

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.”

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

PARTNERSHIP STORY

25

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 en-deavour, 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 environ-ment,” he said.

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

-- Scout volunteer Zaw Min Naing, Myanmar Scout

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

Photos (c) Myanm

ar Scout

18th Korean National Rover Moot

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 bench-mark 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

18th Korean National Rover Moot

APR Workshop on Good Governance

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

27

The Suncheon Asia-Pacific 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 Organ-

ization 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.

MAYMoP Thematic Team Meeting9-12 May, Germany

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

APR Scout Foundation Fundraising Event26 May, Japan

1st Nepal National Rover Moot31 May - 4 June, Nepal

JUNE5th APR NSO MoP CoordinatorsGathering 9-13 June 2019, Thailand APR Staff Management Meeting19-20 June, Philippines Educational Methods Thematic Team Meeting10-16 June

JULY24th World Scout Jamboree22 July-2 August, USA

AUGUSTInternational Scarf Day1 August

International Youth Day12 August 5 NSOs Membership Growth Coordinators Meet16-17 August, Malaysia

APR NSOs Membership Growth Coordinators Meet 18-20 August, Malaysia

23rd European Scout Conference 24-28 August, Croatia

APR Staff Development Workshop30 August - 3 September

SEPTEMBER APR Programme Sub-Committee Meeting6 September

National Diversity & InclusionWorkshop8-11 September, Brunei Darussalam

29th Arab Scout Regional Youth Forum1-6 September

29th Arab Scout Regional Conference 8-14 September, Egypt

APR Governance Sub-Committee Meeting20 September

National Youth InvolvementWorkshop

NEWSiNFOSCOUTING IN ASIA-PACIFIC

(+63 2) 818-0984

asia-pacific@scout.org

www.scout.org/asia-pacific

@ScoutinginAPR

J. Rizal C. PangilinanRegional Director Luz TarayDirector, Communications and Partnerships Theresa E. QuineAssistant, Communications and Partnerships Neil Christian C. Bolandrina Assistant, Communication and Information Services

Kenny Ralph S. FernandoProject Officer, Communications

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

W

COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

EDITORIAL and DESIGN TEAM

20-25 September, PakistanInternational Day of Peace21 September

APR Workshop on Good Governance21-24 September

World Scout Committee Meeting27-29 September, Egypt

OCTOBER APR Consultants Pool Training 9-12 October, Thailand

JOTA/JOTI18-20 October Regional Scout Committee Meeting 18-20 October, Indonesia NOVEMBERWorld Children’s Day20 November DECEMBERInternational Volunteer’s Day5 December

3rd World Scout Education Congress7-10 December, Brazil

World Non-Formal Education 9-11 December, Brazil 13th APR Rover Moot/21st Australian Rover Moot30 Dec-10 Jan 2020, Australia

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