During emergencies, timely response by Scouts is a call of service. Today, Scouts are known to help during unfortunate events especially when disaster strikes unexpectedly. Scouting’s role in responding to emergencies was reinforced by members of WOSM through a recent World Scout Conference resolution 17/2011 in Brazil (January 2011). The Conference through the resolution urged all National Scout Organizations (NSOs) to respond urgently to any national/international emergency such as natural and man made disasters and to be able to coordinate with sister organizations, and hence, always remaining prepared to respond in an effective manner. The Resolution also encourages the World Scout Bureau to work in partnership with aid agencies to provide coordination, and technical & professional support to NSOs.

Many countries in Asia-Pacific are vulnerable to natural occurrences, especially those situated in what is called the ‘Ring of Fire’. In the past two years alone, disasters overwhelmed several countries in the region, and often tested the Scouts’ sense of duty and ability (being prepared) to act quickly and responsibly. This article is a focus on experiences from NSOs in the Asia-Pacific Region.

World Scouting is happy to present two very exciting products related to Scouting which have been launched in recent weeks. A well-known personality in World Scouting, Dr. Eduard Vallory (Spain) has published his book ‘World Scouting – Educating for Global Citizenship’. The book has evoked a tremendous response from personalities such as members of the World Scout Committee and former Secretary Generals of WOSM alike. The Scout Association of UK has launched an exciting Scout Game App for mobile phones called the Scouts Secret Island Adventure. The adventure video game, which also features their Chief Scout and celebrity adventurer Bear Grylls, is available for Apple and Android devices.

La Asociación de Scouts de Venezuela fue anfitriona de la Segunda Reunión de la Subregión Andina de la Red de Programa de Jóvenes. Durante los días 27 a 29 de abril de 2012, representantes de las Organizaciones Scouts Nacionales de Colombia, Ecuador y la anfitriona Venezuela, trabajaron junto con el Director de Programa de Jóvenes de la Oficina Scout Mundial – Región Interamericana en el análisis de temas de vital importancia para el desarrollo del Programa de Jóvenes de la Región.

Se desarrolló en el marco de la Reunión de Métodos Educativos de la Subregión Centroamericana.

En el 2013 se cumplirán 100 años del Movimiento Scout en Las Bahamas, el Escultismo llegó a Las Bahamas a finales del año1912, cuando la Señorita Evelyn Lobb quien era miembro del personal en la Casa de Gobierno, se convirtiera en instrumento indispensable en la formación de la primera Tropa Scout. El 19 de Marzo de 1913, Las Bahamas recibió una carta del Reino Unido, y en esta fue nombrada The Bahamas Branch Boy Scout´s Association.