Why only a day when we can introduce this to everyday life? And what could be a better occasion to start with than a major youth event like World Scout Youth Forum in Korea? As leaders of the future, we ought to apply the knowledge and take initiative to make things happen. As a Youth Delegate and World Youth Advisor candidate, and the Forum being the last one I will be attending as a Rover, I have decided to put into practice the wise teaching of our founder Lord Baden Powell – ‘Try and leave the world a little better than you found it.’ Together with my other Singapore delegation members – Sarah Ho, Seng Yilin, Marcus Png and Wong Kang Yan, we set out to make it happen.

With the assistance of Andres Morales and Rod Abson from the World Scout Bureau, we obtained the approval and support from the Forum Planning Committee, Korea Scout Association and the host, Wonkwang University. The initiative was shared with Polly Newall of WWF International office. She was more than impressed that we are taking it to a new level.

Before arriving in Korea, we did whatever we could in terms of logistics. When we arrived in Korea, we faced the ultimate challenge – trying to make it happen. Eventually with the help from my 14 fellow World Youth Advisor Candidates, nothing could stop us from creating a better world! With 141 signatures from all over the world and the first forum dinner with the small but warm light of candles, Earth Hour in Korea was a success!

We were further motivated when the recommendation on the implementation of Earth Hour by National Scout Organizations to the World Scout Committee was accepted by youths from 97 countries. Doggedly trailed on the successes, we are now working more closely with WWF to engage our Scouting members in Earth Hour so that Saturday 28th of March, 2009 will see many Scouts, potentially in all 160 Scouting countries, switch off for Earth Hour!

Tan Sijie
Rover Scout
The Singapore Scout Association

For more information on how Scouts can be involved with Earth Hour click here.