After its great kickoff on August 2006, the Rover Peace Baton has finally arrived in the Philippines, its last stop, traveling 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region for seven months under three major routes.

In the Philippines, the three-part baton had a separate relays in the three major islands of the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) and concluded its travels in Manila, where a grand celebration was held attended by the regional Scout Leaders, dignitaries, Philippine government representatives, and thousands of Scouts from all over the country.

Over 55,000 Scouts from 21 countries including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong, have participated since the Rover Peace Baton started traveling the region on August 2006.

See below its different adventures as it continues to visit different countries before heading to the Philippines on March for its grand celebration.

The Asia-Pacific Region Rover Peace Baton had so far completed its journey in 19 countries including Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore, getting the participation of over 50,000 Scouts since it started in August 2006. See below its different adventures as it continues to visit different countries before heading to the Philippines this coming March for its grand celebration.

ROUTE 1: After a successful peace baton relay in Australia, the Rover Peace Baton headed to Papua New Guinea on 6 November 2006 and started its relay right at the heart of Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea.

AUSTRALIA
On October 5, 2006, Mr. Jason Thompson, Baton Coordinator of Scouts Australia together with 45 Scouts from Australia handed over the Peace Baton to His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena, Chief Scout and Governor-General of Solomon Island (SI). From there, the Baton relayed to the main road of Honiara and was greeted by Scouts and cheered by the people besides the streets. After the relay, a program was held in SMI Complex with Prime Minister of Solomon Island, Hon.Manasseh Sogavare as the Guest Speaker.

JAPAN
Around 40 Venture Scouts and eight Rover Scouts from 40 different prefecture Scout councils in Japan attended the National Scout Forum held in Tokyo on 18 September 2006 where a ceremonial act of peace baton hand-over took place. Aside from the discussion on peace issue, an illustration of a peace tree was presented symbolizing Scouts’ interest and commitment on maintaining it inside and outside Japan. Japan was the first country to receive the baton under Route 3, which also includes Mongolia, South Korea, Republic of China (Taiwan), Macau, Hong Kong and Philippines as its final destination.

As the peace baton officially started its journey on August 2006, Scouts, dignitaries and heads of the states gathered together to mark the inauguration of the peacde baton relay creating a festive and celebratory mood during the first leg of the seven-month journey.