2011

A tent city sprung up at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton as over 4,000 Scouts and leaders moved in for the 19th New Zealand Scout Jamboree from 29 December 2010 to 6 January 2011.

A top team of Korea Scout Association (KSA), headed by its President Dr Kang Young Joong, had a brief stay at the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Makati City on 26 January 2011, and met with the staff where he watched the video presentation on Scouting in the Asia-Pacific Region. Dr Kang appreciated the presentation and said, “Scouting can be used as a tool to touch others like sports and culture, and there is a necessity to establish a channel between youth foundations and Scouting as they share a common vision".

Scouting activity is continuously increasing in different parts of Vanuatu with much help from Scouts Australia.

Street children living in four towns in Karachi, Pakistan, are now receiving basic education after joining Scout troops under the Asia-Pacific Region Ticket-to-Life Project.

In conjunction with the on-going 39th World Scout Conference in Curitiba, Brazil, ATAS World Gathering was held on 11th January 2011 in a very social setting for the presentation of ATAS insignias to the newly recruited members, both from Brazil and from other countries. The gathering was organized by the Brazil chapter of ATAS.

The 39th World Scout Conference began on Monday, 10th January 2011 in the Curitiba city of Brazil with over 900 participants from 130 countries. The gathering of the regional leaders of the Asia Pacific Region during the conference was chaired by 1st Vice Chairman Mr Prakorb Mukura where they discussed six major issues related to the conference program.

Year 2011 marks the centenary of Hong Kong Scouting. To celebrate this important milestone, the Scout Association of Hong Kong held a series of events and activities. The kick-off event was the Hong Kong Scout Centenary Jamboree held from 27th December 2010 to 1st January 2011 at Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island.

A high level team of five Korean Scout Parliamentary members, accompanied by Korean Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, met with Regional Chairman Jejomar C Binay in their special visit to the country.

To keep Scouting active in Afghanistan, 33 Scouts from an orphanage-based troop in Ghor Province had the 1st Orientation Unit Leaders Training Course from 22 September to 2 October 2010. This shows that Scouting in Afghanistan is very much alive despite difficult circumstances.

Sarin Shrestha, Unit Leader of the Thamel Scout Troop of 32 boys, reported that although there were instances at the beginning where children prefer being isolated, some of them are coming back to the Scout troops and taking active part in different activities. Regular troop meetings and the “Talk Program” during camps help in knowing the children’s problems and regaining their interest.