REPORTS OF THE 40TH WORLD SCOUT CONFERENCE HELD IN LJUBLJANA, THE CAPITAL CITY OF SLOVENIA ON THE 11TH – 15TH OF AUGUST 2014:

THEME: “SHAPING A COMMON FUTURE” COMPILED BY: OLORI OMO-OBA OLUSOGA SOFOLAHAN-ATIBIOKE,

THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA & THE VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMONWEALTH SCOUT ASSOCIATION.

CONVOCATION: My dear brothers & Sisters Scouts in-Country Nigeria, l greet you in the Mighty names of our Lord Jesus Christ and l say; Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh. The 40th World Scout Conference and the 12th World Youth Forum have come and gone. Though we had wished we could participate at the 12th World Youth Conference as a National Scout Organization (NSO), but was not able to do this due to Financial Constraints. While we shall plan to attend future and subsequent World Scouts Youth Fora, below is the comprehensive report of the World Scout Conference that Nigeria attended in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Again, we would have gone to the Conference with all our delegates, but for Visas problems that became a great

SCOUTS

Creating a Better World

The Scout Association of Nigeria L'Association des Scouts du Nigeria La Asociación de Scouts de Nigeria A Associação dos Escoteiros de Nigéria

ة كشافة نيجيرياجمعي

National Headquarters: 1, Makoko Road, Yaba Lagos. P. O. Box 429 Yaba Lagos

Abuja office: Flat 1, Block 1, Plot 1578 No 4, Auyo Close Area 1 (AOI) Garki Abuja

challenge towards the beginning of the programs. However, we thank God Almighty that granted Nigeria the opportunities to be part of these Triennial programs of the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM). Ljubljana (pronounced LUBIANA) is the Capital city of Slovenia. Slovenia is bordered with Austria, Italy and Luxemburg, with a population of above Two Million people (10% of Lagos State population). One major thing that was synonymous to Ljubljana is that fact that; the City was so clean and your food can mistakenly drop on the floor and you could still pick it and eat, if not minding the unseen germs. The people were friendly and never wanted the Scouts to return back to their Countries even after the programs. There were One Hundred and Thirty-Three National Scout Organizations (Nigeria inclusive) that participated at the World Scout Conference out of the One Hundred and Sixty-Two National Scout Organizations that make up World Organization of Scout Movement. (WOSM). The registration of members for the programs started on the 9th of August 2014 when delegates were arriving from different Countries, but Nigeria were able to register at the first day Session of the Conference which was Monday 11th of August 2014. The registrations of National Scout Organizations would be followed by the receipts of the “Voting Kits”. The Kits were to be given to the Associations that have good Financial Standing with WOSM; Good Financial standing means not having any backlog of Annual Dues yet unpaid. You’ll recall that; we had backlog of Annual Dues for: 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, and 2013 – 2014 (Three Financial years) which was put at CHF 5,474 and as at September 2013 to August 2014 just before the Conference, we have tried to redeem half of the outstanding payments. This would not have given us a Good Financial Standing though and we would not have voted; but for the Intervention of the Africa Regional Director that paid the balance from his coffers with an agreement with us that; we are going to redeem the balance within the next Six months from the date of payment. Many thanks to Dr. Fredric Tutu Kama-Kama for this good Leadership Commitment and gestures. The Voting Kits were handed to us as bona-fide member of the World Organization of Scout Movement.

MONDAY 11TH OF AUGUST 2014: The Monday 11th of August 2014 meeting started at 08:45AM with the explanations of simultaneous interpretations of electronic systems in: English French, and Spanish. After which a call for Meditations was ushered in with a Video clips on Wonders of the World. The World Scout Committee (WSC) Chairperson Mr. Simon Rhee presented his welcome Address and the Scout Association of Slovenia did same. At 09:30AM, The National Scout Organizations went into Regional Meetings. At the Africa Regional meeting, the African Scout Committee Chairperson, Mr. Gilbert Mussumba introduced the two candidates standing for the position of World Scout Committee membership from Africa, they were: Mr. Ledjou Marcel Blaguet from Cote de’ivoire National Scout Organization and Ms. Jemima Nartey from the Ghana National Scout Organization. The meeting gave us the opportunity to review the World Scout Bureau -Africa Scout Region 2011 – 2014 Triennial Plans with special references to NSOs that will be impacted within the next 24 months. Some of the Triennial programs in mind were NSOs Capacity Building, Messengers of Peace programs within Africa, Partnership Programs, Diversity & Exchanges programs to mention but few. Some of these programs were mapped to Nigeria NSO and effort will be geared towards working with the Regional Office for their deployment within the Nigeria National Scout Organization. At 2:00PM, The Plenary session started with NSOs being asked to seat according to their names in alphabetical Order; Observers were asked to seat at the back of the Conference room, while Visitors were provided a special sitting to watch the proceedings. The Plenary kicked off with the introduction of the Chairperson of the World Scout Committee and the Vice Chairpersons to kick-start the session. This was done

with solemn music, while the names of the members that have “GONE HOME” were mentioned one after the other with all the delegates and Observers all standing throughout the row calls of the names. After this silence, The Vice Chairperson came up to introduce the Rules and Procedures of the Conference and the conference was requested to ratify the appointments of the Tellers and the Resolution Committee proposed by the World Scout Committee. Four Tellers were appointed by the World Scout Conference from Four Scouting Regions with Olusoga Sofolahan, the Nigeria Chief Commissioner as the appointed Teller from Africa Region by the Conference. The Resolution Committee was equally approved by the Conference and this was followed with the presentation of Approval Certificate to the newest National Scout Organization that became member of the World Organization of Scout Movement – South-Sudan National Scout Organization. This NSO could not come, but certificate was received on their behalf by the Africa Regional Director, Dr. Fredric Tutu Kama-Kama. Again another National Scout Organization was placed on an Interim Suspension for Three (3) months, failure which they will go on expulsion from WOSM. Details of the suspension were not thoroughly known by us. The Chairperson Mr. Simon Rhee gave the 2011 – 2014 Triennial report, after which the Secretary General of the World Organization of Scout Movement, Mr. Scott Teare was asked to give the report of the World Scout Bureau and the Treasurer’s report was the final. These reports were reviewed and accepted by the World Scout Conference. The World Scout Foundation was called upon to speak on the; Foundation, their Programs and the Projects they are funding currently. The report of the 12th World Youth Forum was presented to the World Scout Conference Session for reviews and adoptions also. At 4:45PM, The candidates standing in for the World Scout Committee elections were presented to the Conference and each was asked to address the Conference for three minutes each. There were Sixteen Candidates in all, one of the candidates withdrew and we had Fifteen Candidates left that contested for

Twelve available positions. The day session ended with the Official Opening ceremony at the GR Exhibition & Conference Center; that was shortly after the Dinner and participants retired to their Hotels. TUESDAY 12TH OF AUGUST 2014: At 08:45AM, the Plenary Session started with Meditations and Announcement and shortly after this, the Conference received a presentation from Kandersteg International Scout Center and followed by Messengers of Peace Programs & Projects Success Stories by Regions. At 09:30AM, the Conference reviewed the presented 2011 – 2014 Triennial Plan with special reference on Key Achievement on namely:

1. Youth For Change (YFC) 2. Global Support 3. 21st Century Leadership

Additional reviews were made on Educational Method in Scouting, there was a short break and upon resumption, the plenary sessions continued in Groups on: Duty to God, Human Rights, Global Issues and Transparency in WOSM/NSOs decisions making processes. The Conference reconvened and the key points discussed at various Groups discussions were summarized and clarified from the Delegates their support for or against a process. At 4:15PM, the Conference presented Republic of Ireland for the hosting of 2021 World Scout Moot, after which the World Scout Committee candidates were presented for elections. After the elections, the results were announced with all the two candidates from African Region winning their elections. Congratulations to Africa, for being able to produce two out of the twelve World Scout Committee members. At 07:30PM, there was International Evening and Dinner, after which Countries participants returned to the Hotels.

WEDNESDAY 13TH OF AUGUST 2014: The session started at 08:45AM with Meditations and Announcement and the voting of the 2021 World Scout Moot was conducted and the Republic of Ireland won the bidding right. There was yet another session on the Messengers of Peace Programs and Successes Stories within the Regions. At 09:30AM, there was presentation of Resolution 9/11 Strategy for Scouting following the World Scout Conference in Brazil 2011. Shortly after the presentation, was the breaking out into Groups to review the new Strategic Priorities in Scouting, namely:

1. Youth Engagement 2. Educational Method 3. Social Impact 4. Diversity & Exchanges 5. Communication 6. Governance.

The discussions were followed with the reports of the 1st World Scout Congress held in Hong Kong in 2013, the report was reviewed and passed by the Conference. This ushered in Lunch and after which the Conference embarked on Group Discussions to review thoroughly the Vision 2023 of the Scouting Movement, The Six Strategic Priorities and the 2014 – 2017 Triennial Plan for proposed Resolutions to be passed by the Conference. There was yet another workshop on Global Support Assessment Tool (GSAT) after which the session for the day ended.

THURSDAY 14TH OF AUGUST 2014: The day session started at 08:45AM as usual with Meditations and Announcement followed by the decision of the Joint Session of the World Scout Committee to announce the names of the new World Scout Committee Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson; the synonymous of this task, was the appointment of Ms. Jemima Nartey as the Second Vice Chairperson of the World Scout Committee for 2014 – 2017 Triennial year. This was followed by the report of the 22nd World Scout Jamboree that was held in Sweden in 2011; the report was presented by The Guides & Scouts Association of Sweden. The report was followed with the Group feedback discussions on the new 2023 Vision, the Strategic Priorities and the Triennial Plans were discussed by the Conference. At 09:40AM, there were the presentations of Candidates for the hosting of 41st World Scout Conference and 13th World Youth Forum in 2017. The two NSO Countries that contested were Azerbaijan and Malaysia. At 10:30AM, there were several Seminars on the following topics:

1. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and post 2015. 2. Youth friends across the World: Where do we go from here? 3. Like Skills 4. Scouting & Communication 5. Assessing Scouting Impacts. 6. Intergenerational Dialogue 7. Re-thinking Education: Challenges for Scouting, Lessons for Scouting 8. The Image of Scouting 9. Youth Empowerment: the way forward.

10. Scouts – Safe from Harm now, not tomorrow. 11. Red Ribbon/HIV/AIDS.

After the Seminar, there was yet another session of over Thirty-Five (35 Countries) under the Common Wealth of Nations that operate under the Common Wealth Scout Association held her General meeting to appoint members of her World Executive Committee, Mr. Nigel former International Commissioner of United Kingdom was appointed the Chairperson of the Common Wealth Scout Association, while the Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association of Nigeria was appointed the Vice Chairperson of same Association. As part of Slovenia commitments to the organization, The President and the Commander-in-Chief of Slovenia simply came into the Exhibition Center to address the 40th Session of the World Scout Conference. Shortly after the Slovenia President speech, the Conference confirmed the election of Azerbaijan as the host of the next 41st World Scout Conference and the 13th World Youth Forum come 2017. At 4:00PM, there were Networking sessions of participants with similar appointments in Scouting namely:

1. World Scout Committee and Regional Scout Committee members and Youth Advisors. 2. Chief Commissioners & Chief Scouts 3. International Commissioners and Programs Commissioner 4. Chief Executives 5. Youth Programs 6. Adults in Scouting 7. Public Relations & Communication.

The sessions for the Chief Commissioners and the Chief Scouts were coordinated by the Chief Commissioner of Scout of Nigeria and the Chief Commissioner of Mexico. The day ended with Dinner and participants returned back to the Hotels. FRIDAY 15TH OF AUGUST 2014: The day started as usual with Meditations and Announcement, following the Investiture of the New World Scout Committee members, the Chairperson and the two Vice Chairpersons. The Japan Scout Association was then asked to come and report on their preparations on the 23rd World Scout Jamboree come 2015; same way, the Scout Association of Iceland was called upon to report on the 14th World Scout Moot in 2017. NB: The World Scout Moot in 2017 is going to be hosted by Iceland, while that of 2021 will be hosted by Ireland. At 10:00AM, there were voting on various Resolutions of the World Scout Conference. One of such Resolutions that were proposed was Resolution 2/14 by Nigeria NSO on Youth Engagement and it reads: Scouting should give opportunity to young people to develop their Knowledge and Skill so as to create needs for their participations in the decision making. The resolution was modified to read: empowering them for their participation in decision making; and this was voted for by the Conference. There were over Twenty resolutions that were reviewed and voted for or against. At 12:15PM, The Association des Scouts du Canada gave report on the 13th World Scout Moot that was held in Canada. Shortly after this was Lunch and participants resumed for the second Regional Meetings and it was at the meeting that the African NSOs celebrated the successes of Marcel Blaguet and Jemima Nartey. Some of the issues mentioned at the meeting were the Hosting rights of African Scout Organization program. The All African Scout Conference that was slated for Mauritius might not be coming up in Mauritius because the NSO is currently under suspension.

Equally the Regional Director announced that; Cote de’ivorie has been approved to host the 7th All African Jamboree; though Nigeria NSO showed interest, but we realized the Organization got the commitment of the Government of Cote de’ivorie on the hosting right. 10th – 18th of December 2014 has been slated for the 10th West African Zonal Conference at Bukinafaso. You’ll recall Nigeria was to host the event, but for some Social Unrest that happened within the 1H2014 in some parts of the Country. The closing session of the World Scout Conference was held at about 04:15PM with the inaugural Opening Address from the New Chairperson of the World Scout Conference. There was a Flag handing over ceremony between Slovenia and Azerbaijan that will host the 41st World Scout Conference and 13th World Scout Youth Forum. At 07:30PM, there was a farewell dinner organized by host Country, and Culture & Diversity were displayed as Africa was ably represented at the Africa Cultural display.

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT: While counting on the foregoing, below will be action within the Nigeria National Scout Organization.

1. The NSO will source for fund and pay another Two Thousand Dollars ($2000) as the third part payment of our NSO outstanding Annual Dues for 2011 – 2012, 2012 – 2013, and 2013 – 2014.

2. All State Scout Councils are to pay their Twenty Thousand Naira Only (N20, 000:00) on or before the October 2014 National Executive Committee meeting or risk not having any National Scout programs or presence within their State Scout Councils.

3. The Organization Chart of the Nigeria National Scout Organization will be re-worked to support the New Vision 2023 and the New Six (6) Strategic Priorities.

4. The 2023 Vision and Six Strategic Priorities will supersede the 1993 Vision and Seven Strategic Priorities.

i. Youth Involvement & Development Department will be replaced by Youth Engagement & Social Impact Department.

ii. NSO Management and Communication Department will be replaced by Governance & Communication Department.

iii. Adult Resources & Training Department will be replaced by Educational Methods on Scouting Department.

iv. Scouting Development & Supports will be replaced by Diversity & Exchanges Department. v. One additional Unit will be created for Logistics & Special Duties Operations.

5. Old Appointments will be reviewed towards the New Vision 2023 and the New Six Strategic priorities and newer appointments will become effective as from 1st of September 2014.

6. All the Training of the Adults performed within the Nigeria National Scout Organization (The Scout Association of Nigeria) will be run through the Database of World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) so as to obtain Management of Change (MOC) to map the efforts so far to the new Strategies for World Scout Bureau’s approvals to us for the issuance of certificates.

Reports originally compiled by me:

Olusoga A. Sofolahan (Olori Omo-Oba) LT, FSM. FCE, The Chief Commissioner, Scout of Nigeria. Leadership & Governance Department The Scout Association of Nigeria.

CC with WOSM Secretary General CC & Head of WOSM Constitution Review Committee CC with Saudi National Scout Association

Countries Colors displayed at the WSC Nigeria Color displayed at the WSC, The Nigeria stand within the WSC Seminar Hall

The CS of Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria CC Cross Section of the World Scout Conference Cross Section of the World Scout Conference

The CC at the Conference in Nigeria Color CC in a posture with WOSM Secretary General CC in a posture with WOSM Secretary General

The WSC Plenary Session on Resolutions Voting for or against drafted Resolutions The Outgoing World Scout Committee Members

Vice Chairperson WSC & Nigeria CC Member WSC from Saudi Scout Asso & CC Nigeria Comm in Diaspora at the Conference

African Cultural Display at the Closing Ceremony of the World Scout Conference

Nigeria Commissioner in Diaspora at the Conference in photo postures with Outgone Chairperson of World Scout Committee, The Malaysia Chief

Scout and member of the Scout Association of Japan

Nigeria CC in posture with the Former Secretary General of WOSM Mr. Luc. Panissod and the Chairperson of World Scout Committee