2009
European Scouting raises the issue of restrictive practices and policies to the agenda of European Parliament.
AGESCI, one of the members of the Italian Scout Federation will join the important awareness campaign to save energy for the fifth year.
The Teams, Core and Support Groups and some Units of the Region met at Kandersteg International Scout Centre to continue working to achieve the Regional Scout Plan in an integrated and effective way.
Following an agreement between the Korean Scouts and the Asia-Pacific Regional Office, there are opportunities for Scout volunteers at the Suncheon Asia-Pacific Scout Centre.
Have a look at the new Europak website, jointly developed by the European Scout Region and the WAGGGS Europe Region. Clearer information, events reminders, resources produced jointly. Note the most recent edition of Europak – the largest any of us can recall.
Following many months of lobbying, we are advised that the proposal to have 2011 designated the European Year of Volunteering has been accepted by the President of the European Commission. This in itself is a recognition of the fundamentally important role played by volunteers in society, through the civil society groupings of which WOSM is a part. Congratulations to all those NSOs who actively participated in the campaign by contacting their MEPs.
The 6th European Forum for Youth Programme and Adult Resources was held at Campo Aventura, near Óbidos, Portugal, from March 18th – 22nd. The event brought together 66 participants from 20 countries. In total, there were 26 European NSOs represented at the event.
The European Scout Region has be granted an important financial support for its work and administration of the Brussels office from the EU Commission through the Youth in Action Programme and from the Council of Europe through the European Youth Foundation.
On the night of 6 April an earthquake has shaken a central region of Italy called Abruzzo. It was a real catastrophe: more than 250 people were killed, 1000 injured and about 25000 are now without a home. AGESCI and CNGEI (the two NSAs in Italy part of FIS - Federazione Italiana dello Scautismo) after the official request of the Italian Civil Protection are already on the spot to offer help and support to the people affected by the shock.
The Training Team of Lithuanian Scouting investigates if their training system is causing problems
Two training seminars are being offered to European National Scout Associations, free of charge with thanks to the support of the Alcoa Foundation, to support adults in Scouting with the delivery of the World Scout Environment Programme, using experiential education. This approach is based on the Scout Method and offers support for engaging Scouts in learning by doing, particularly with regard to exploration of the environment and natural world.
The first seminar will be held at Jambville, Paris 12 - 14 June 2009 and the second seminar will be held at Fritz-Emmel-Hause, Frankfurt 11 - 13 September 2009. A third seminar will be made available to Eurasian Regional National Scout Associations from 2 - 4 October in Moscow.
Members of IT teams from across Europe met at Buitenzorg Scout Centre in Baarn, Netherlands to share and exchange their ideas and experiences.
Hosted by Team Internet from Scouting Netherland MOs and NSOs were invited to give demonstrations and discus different technical solutions used in their countries.
Celebrations of the 90 years of Scouting in Israel were integrated with the celebrations of the centenary of Tel Aviv. 40 Scouts, aged from 16 to 18, built a model of Israel on the roof of the Azrieli Towers over a period of 2 days. The model included four special things: the under-sea museum in Eilat, the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv, the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem and the Golan Heights wind stations.
Giuseppe Porcaro of AGESCI, Italy is appointed as Secretary-General of the platform.
Participants from Delegates from 18 countries met in Sweden last week to work on the relationship between the European and Arab Regions. The aim of the meeting was to share ideas, develop partnerships and increase understanding between the Regions.
Citizens of the European Union will vote between 4 and 7 June 2009 for the next European Parliament. We believe that following the work achieved, the contribution of Scouting to Europe but also the needs of Scouting, it is time to make sure that our voice is heard.
In June, the Motivation and Promotion Unit met in Slovenia and worked on some interesting materials.
European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a fantastic opportunity for young people. Through the Youth in Action Programme they can experience a volunteering period in a country other than their own.
Deadline extended
The Organization of Bulgarian Scouts is looking for 2 volunteers who are Scouts and would like to commit themselves for the development of Scouting in Bulgaria, working in the YOUTH INFORMATIONAL VOLUNTARY CENTER in Varna.
Over 3,000 participants participated in a vibrant Opening Ceremony, with brass bands, a few short speeches, noteably from the Camp Chief, the Chief Scout of Iceland and the representatives of the European Scout Committee and Europe Committee WAGGGS and, of course, the Roverway song!. The Opening was attended by the Icelandic Minister of Education, Science and Culture, Katrin Jakobsdottir who delivered an inspiring address to all the young people.
At the conclusion of a very successful European event, we are pleased to recommend the Roverway site - www.roverway.is - for continuing information about the event.
CNGEI Scouts involved in the rescue of valuable collection of books from earthquake damaged University Library
On Monday 3 August 2009 at 18:10, 13 Scouts and 2 Leaders of the 1st Lerapetra Scout Group were injured in the region of Koutsouras, South-East Crete.
“Let’s Slogo!”: The official competition for a logo and slogan for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 launched. The Alliance has launched today the “Let’s Slogo!” competition on www.eyv2011.eu to call for proposals for logos and slogans. This website will be available in 22 EU languages.
The European Committee has just published its Annual Review for the year July 2008 till July 2009. This is the second such report which reflects the achievements made and the challenges faced.
The official competition for a logo and slogan for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 is getting to the “crucial phase”: you can vote on www.eyv2011.eu your favourite Logo/Slogan!
The World Scouting is present during the flagship event that showcases Development and its actors in Europe, the European Development Days in Stockholm from 22 to 24 October 2009. Don’t hesitate to visit the stand!
On Sunday 1 November, after all the sessions were finished, all Scout participants departed from the Hotel Sport in Kralupy. Most “academics” headed home but for a few, they had a great chance to visit nearby Prague.
The Network meeting in Firenze was held from 6 to 8 November 2009 with lots of new participants joining longer established ones making the event a special one.
