VISION AND MISSION OF TOP LEADERS FROM THEWORLD'S LARGEST YOUTH MOVEMENT
An interview with APR Scout Committee member Janaprith Fernando
The Asia Pacific Region (APR) Top Scout Leaders Summit is being held this week for the first time in Sri Lanka. The summit which commenced on April 25 has 100 delegates participating from 26 of its member countries and is being hosted by the Sri Lanka Scout Association, under the guidance of the World Scout Organisation's Asia Pacific Regional Office.
With a membership of over 36 million boys and girls from 6 regions, the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is the largest youth movement. The Sri Lanka Scout Association is a member of the Asia Pacific Region which is the largest region with a membership of 30 million scouts from 26 countries.
Scouting introduced to Sri Lanka in 1912 by late F.G. Stevens, is a non formal education which covers the learning and experience required to manage one's own affairs, build character and learn leadership methods and qualities.
In an interview with Daily Mirror the International Commissioner for Sri Lanka Scouts Janaprith Fernando, spoke about the summit that is being held at the Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo.
Q: What is your role in the World Organisation of the Scout Movement?
I contested for the APR Scout Committee at the 2012 conference held in Dhaka and became the first Sri Lankan to get elected to this body. Once I was part of the committee I was able to bring Sri Lanka to the lime light. Right now we are hosting three back to back events. The Global Support Group Meeting which was held at Club Palm Bay Hotel in Marawila from 22-24 April, the Regional Scout Committee Meeting held on April 25 and the APR Top Scout Leaders Summit that is being held in the Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo.
Q: Why is the Summit being held in Sri Lanka?
The Top Leaders Summit is held tri-ennially and bids are called two years before to host the summit in one of the member countries. Sri Lanka bid to host the Summit in 2014 in addition to four other countries. We put forward a very attractive proposal which was accepted by the Regional Scout Committee.
Q: What are the aims and objectives of the Summit?
Our movement is committed on character building that is achieved through the patrol system in which the members work on and conduct their activities. The vision of the region is to improve the standards of the national scout organisation by not only improving the administration and training of leaders, but to deliver a quality programme to the young members. At this year's summit the top leaders of the APR Summit will discuss and decide on the vision and direction of the youth movement that caters to 30 million members in the 26 countries, for the next three years. The summit is also held as a prelude for the World Scout Conference to be held in Slovenia in August this year.
Q: Who are the participants?
The National Leaders of the member countries, the Chairman of the World Scout Committee Simon Hang-Bock Rhee, the Secretary General of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement Scott Teare, the Chairman of the regional Scout Committee Dr. Chao Shou Po and members from the World Scout Committee and Regional Scout Committee will attend the summit. In addition 3500 participants from over 30 countries will be camping and 1500 cub scouts will attend the Cub Programme, with more than 15,000 visitors from all over the world visiting the Jamboree on the 5 days it is open to the public. Q: What activities have been planned for the delegates visiting the summit?
All delegates will be taken on an educational tour around Colombo and Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. During the tour the delegates will be taken to places of worship, landmark buildings in Colombo, the Hobbies Exhibition organised by the Colombo District Scouts at Ape Gama and a boat ride in Diyawanna Oya. We want to show the delegates the beauty, cleanliness and peace we enjoy in Sri Lanka by giving them a taste of our culture and heritage.
Q: What are the benefits of hosting the summit i n Sri Lanka?
There are over 45000 scouts in Sri Lanka. Our scouts will get an opportunity of living and working together with other scouts of different religions, races and castes. Sri Lanka will be showcased to the next generation of youth from around the world, opening up many avenues for economic development.
Q: What is the Colombo Centenary International Scout Jamboree?
A Jamboree is a large camp of scouts camping under canvas. The Colombo Centenary International Scout Jamboree will be held from 1st to 7th August this year at the Y-gro Campsite in Madampe and will have over 3000 participants.
Q: What are the activities planned for the Jamboree?
The participants will have to camp under a tent and conduct their scouting activities for six days. Camp fires, cultural and musical entertainment and a Scout Gang Show have been planned for the participants every evening in the main arena. Most of the outdoor activities will be carried out by professionals from the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force and other activities will be carried out by scout leaders and volunteers who are experts in their field. The participants will be well facilitated as the Jamboree Market Place will have its own super market, bank, restaurants and other entertainment including an arena for various performances.