Asean: Scouting essential in youth dev’t

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE - Recognizing the pivotal role of the scouting movement in advancing the cause of the multi-nation regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) secretariat acknowledged the important contribution of the scouting movement in shaping the region’s future leaders.

Director Lee Yoong Yoong, director of the Community Affairs Directorate of the Asean Secretariat, stressed the need to further maximize the huge potential of the scouting movement especially in the area of youth development.

This developed as the scout leaders of the Asean Scout Association for Regional Cooperation (Asarc) convened in Tagum City yesterday for the ninth edition of its annual meeting where they tackled important matters pertaining to improving the state of scouting movement among Asean countries.

“As the Asean celebrates its golden anniversary, one of our priorities is the youth. We regard Asarc as a key stakeholder in reaching out to the youth,” the Asean secretariat’s representative stressed during the high-level meeting hosted by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and BSP Tagum City Council yesterday, November 26, one day before the opening of the 6th Asean Scout Jamboree.

Yoong Yoong added that while the scouting movement is a global organization, Asarc’s role in advancing youth-related programs is unique and therefore deserves to be fully maximized.

He added that he is appreciative of the efforts of the scouting movement in honing the youth as it acknowledged that the youth sector cannot be fully covered alone by the Asean, and thus the need to partner with reputable institutions whose mission is on youth development like Asarc.

Asarc Chairman and BSP National President Wendel E. Avisado for his part assured the Asean Secretariat of the regional federation of scouting movement’s continued push in strengthening the Asean community.

Except for Laos, Atty. Avisado added that the presence alone of all national scouting organizations from all Asean member countries is already a manifestation of the strength of Asarc as an important force in youth development.

Among the agenda laid on the table during the 9th ASARC meeting is the accreditation of ASARC as a recognized entity of the Asean, a long-time dream of the organization. Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum

ASARC Leaders pose for a family photo at the sidelines of the 9th Asean Scout Association for Regional Cooperation meeting at Hijo Resorts in Tagum City last November 26, 2017. LEO TIMOGAN/CIO TAGUM

LEO TIMOGAN/CIO TAGUM CAMP CHIEF Mayor Allan L. Rellon of Tagum City welcomes the Scout Leaders from the member-countries gathered in Tagum during the 9th Asean Scout Association for Regional Cooperation Meeting held at Hijo Resorts Davao last November 26, 2017.