It was hoped that the young people will be enlightened and be able to promote peace amongst people in the region. An important result with the project will be a good public relation exercise where it will generate positive image in scouting. This is also ensuring the scouts more visible to the society.

The baton is a symbol of love for peace. It is passed from one place to another and from one country to another. Hence, it creates a friendly and open environment for peace. It is hoped that it grows in the heart of every individual.

he Baton is made of Brass that is gold plated
The strength of character of scouts is symbolically represented by brass. It signifies that the scouts core value is the guiding light and a way of life.

On the other hand success and power is always represented by gold. The movement has trained millions of responsible citizens around the world since 1907. The principles of Scouting has inspired young people from yesteryears to be good citizens. This is the power of influence that the society can emulate.

The three pieces of the batons started from three different places on 20th August 2006.
The idea of having three pieces and simultaneously pass on from different parts of the region and putting it together symbolizes the sense of unity practiced by Scouts despite their different cultures and history.

The Peace Baton, traveled from three (3) different directions to promote peace among the twenty three (23) member countries of Asia Pacific Region. One from Fiji which traveled through Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Philippines. Another from Pakistan and Maldives to Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Philippines. The last one from Mongolia to Japan, Republic of Korea, Scouts of China, Macau, Hong Kong and Philippines and culminated in Manila.

It took 8 months for the baton to travel in 23 member NSOs by land, by sea and by air, covering over 75 thousand of Kilometers and passing through the hands of over 150,000 Scouts and Leaders.

The whole project was large enough that needed to be well monitored and coordinated right from the beginning of the project. The Asia-Pacific Regional Office on the recommendation of the respective NSOs, appointed Country Coordinators to ensure that the Peace Baton Relay is efficiently coordinated and moves as per the Plan.

Further, a guide was prepared and disseminated to all the country coordinators and NSOs. This guide included the details on the schedule, handling of the Baton and its movement, suggested activities on route, details on the logbook, risk management guide, media relations. It also contained sample certificates for participants, sample press releases, logbook cover etc.

The APR office continuously monitored the movement of the baton for eight months from the start of the relay to the end of the project.

On route 1, the baton journey covered nine (9) countries: Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Solomon Island, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

In Fiji, Baton received full support from His Excellency Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu, President of the Republic of Fiji and Chief Scout Fiji Scout Association. During the two weeks period, baton was relayed over 1000 KM covering several provinces before handing over to New Zealand.

Hon. Anand Satyanand, Governor-General and Chief Scout and personal representative of Queen Elizabeth II together with Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Youth Affairs signed a Citation on the arrival of the Baton in New Zealand. The Baton traveled different place and met several dignitaries, Scouts, Rovers and Leaders.

Queensland Australia received the Baton from New Zealand. Scouts Australia Rovers brought it to Solomon Islands where it visited a joint camp of Australian Scouts and Solomon Islands Scouts. During the visit in Solomon Islands H.E. Sir Nathaniel Waema, Governor-General and Chief Scout of Solomon Islands received the baton. After the handover, Scouts from Australia and Solomon Islands hold a Peace Relay, bringing the Peace Baton along the main road of Honiara, where Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, blessed the relay.

Back to Australia, it visited several Rover Crews, Rover Councils, Como Regatta and other events in Canberra, Victoria, Perth and Western Australia and passed on to Papua New Guinea.

In Papua New Guinea Baton traveled to provinces, welcomed by hundreds of Scouts and Leaders. In a grand ceremony Papua New Guinea handed over the Peace Baton in a ceremony at Wutung to Indonesia In Indonesia, traveling through the country before flying to Batam city for the handover to Singapore, the Peace Baton was passed to His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia and Chief Scout of Gerakan Pramuka in a grand ceremony where over 5000 Scouts and Leaders participated. On the occasion His Excellency signed citation “Declaration of Peace loving Pramuka”.

With the theme “Peace through kindness” two hundred Scouts from Singapore in partnership with the Singapore Kindness Movement participated in peace related activities such as overnight cycling around the island. While in Singapore, Baton passed from the hands of over 3000 people.

In Malaysia, the Baton Stayed in 11th National Jamboree where it was touched by thousand of young people from all over Malaysia. His Excellency President of Malaysia and Chief Scout Dato Seri Dr. Haji Shafie Bin Haji Mohd Salleh passed on the Baton to President of Persekutuan Pengakap Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Relays was held in all the four districts of Brunei Darussalam and finally Rover Scouts had a Peace Run in the capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. After having covered 392 KM it flew to Philippines where in a ceremony it was passed on to the Secretary General of Boy Scouts of the Philippines who later passed it on to Zamboanga City for relay in Southern Philippines.

On Route 2, the Baton traveled through eight countries: Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand.

Over 30,000 Scouts participated in 13 Provinces in Pakistan in the Baton relay of 2850 KM. Chief Scout and. President H. E General Pervez Musharraf in his message in the Peace Baton Log book greeted all Scouts in the Asia-Pacific Region and commended the purpose of the Rover Peace Baton.

Happened never before, at no men’s land at India Pakistan Wahga Border, in a ceremony with over 1000 Scouts and leaders, Pakistan handed over the Peace Baton to India.

Another Baton piece started its journey simultaneously with Pakistan in Maldives. Chief Scout and President of Maldives H.E. Abdul Gayoom received the baton flagged of baton Journey in Maldives. Traveling through sea, it passed to several atolls of Maldives covering 2,395KM touching the hearts of thousands it reached Sri-Lanka.

Spreading the message of Peace, Baton stepped in all major cities of Sri-Lanka. Varied activities were organized during the relay. Finally Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon Jeevan Kumartunga and President of Parliamentary Scout Union Hon. Puthrasigamani received the baton to further passed on by Sri Lanka Scout Association leaders to India.

On 2nd October, the birthday of Father of non violence and leader of Peace and human rights Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Lanka passed on the Peace Baton India in the Southern State Capital Chennai.

The two baton pieces received by India one in the North and another in the South passing through 70 over Districts, covering over 5,500 KM using different modes of journey- by walk, bicycle, motorcycle, jeep, bus, train and so on. Over 20,000 Scouts and Leader, dignitaries actively participated in Peace activities and events held during the relay. From the South and North, while moving to Calcutta in the East, on the way, Bharat Scouts and Guides passed the two batons, one each, to Bhutan and Nepal.

Having received the Baton on Sunauli Border, Nepal Scouts relayed the baton in five districts, receiving great support from the community and officials, after a weak, returned it to India at Raxaul border to continue its journey to Calcutta. A total of about 1000 Scouts and leaders participated in 739 KM long relay.

Bhutan received the Baton from India in Alipur Dwar and brought it all the way to capital city of Thimpu passing through major districts, visiting Schools and activities promoting peace. Minister of Education Lympo Thinley Gyamtsho together with Scouts and top leaders of Bhutan Scouts Association received the Baton in Thimpu. After traveling 648 KM in land of peaceful dragon, it was handed over back to India at Siliguri, Norht East of India.

The two pieces of the Baton further moved to Benapole border of Bangladesh and India where again Scouts over 1000 from both the countries exchanged peace messages and passed on the Baton to Bangladesh Scouts. His Excellency Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed, the President of Bangladesh received the baton at his office “Bango Bhaban” and encrypted his peace message on the logbook.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Yunus,the 2006 Nobel Laureate for Peace joined Scouts in the journey of the Baton. Having toured for over 6,000 KM in Bangladesh with over 14,000 Scouts involvement, the Baton was passed on to National Scout Organization of Thailand in a grand ceremony where Hon. Minister of Education Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an received the Baton from the International Commissioner of Bangladesh.

In Thailand the Baton was cheered in North, South, East and Central Regions and finally a tour in the capital City Bangkok. After which it flew to Philippines and was handed over to Olangapo (Subic) City Council Scouts for further journey in the Luzon Island of the Philippines.

On Route 3, the Baton passed through seven countries before reaching to the Philippines

Young people pass the Baton with Peace message Bayanzurkh, Bayangol and Baganuur districts of Mongolia.
At the same time when the relay was on in Mongolia, Japan youth leaders received the baton from Asia-Pacific Regional office in the 16th National Scout Forum in Tokyo Japan. During the event Scouts talked about Peace and made a peace tree as a sign of memory of Rover Peace Baton. Other activities during the 1800KM relay were Peace walk, Peace gathering and sketching.

Japan handed over the Baton to the Chairman of the Rover Council in Jeju Island on the occasion of the APR Workshop on Events Management. It was an opportunity when World Scout Committee member, Deputy Secretary General and leaders from all over region experienced baton relay.

During the stay of the baton in Korea it witnessed Peace activities in 19 councils of Korea Scout Association, visited the National Assembly of Korea. The baton had the privileged of having the company of Mr. Lee Won Hee the President of World Scout Parliamentary Union.

Scouts of China welcomed the baton from Korea at the opening of the Rover Advanced Course. While in Scouts of China, it traveled 575KM involving of over 1000 Scouts visiting Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, Yi-lan, and Taipei.

Macau got the baton from Scouts of China in a formal handover ceremony at their Headquarters in Taipei and brought it to Macau and organized several peace activities.

Metropolitan Jamboree in Hong Kong welcomed the Peace Baton from Macau. A short stay of the Baton in Hong Kong was meaningful while celebrating 95 years of Scouting it had a special pass on with Peace message.

APR office received this Baton in Hong Kong Jamboree and flew to Cebu City of the Philippins for bringing the Peace message to the Visayas islands of the Philippines.

In the Philippines, the three Baton pieces at the same time traveled through three major islands: Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. In each island passing through councils, regions the baton created an impact in the society involving top government officials like Governors, Mayors and City officials. In some cases it was noticed that during the Peace Events even the rivals shook hands. The Baton visited 70 Councils of Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Finally, all the pieces from three directions reached Manila and a grand ceremony “Maki-Jam Para sa Kapayapaan” (Lets Jam for Peace) was organized on 10 March at Andres Bonifacio Shrine. Over 5000 Scouts marched from three directions with the peace baton, leaders from 14 countries gathered on this occasion.

Vice Presidents of the three Islands helped Rover Scouts to join the three pieces of the Baton. Finally President Boy Scouts of the Philippines Jejomar C. Binay handed over the Baton to the Asia Pacific Regional Chairman Eric Khoo and Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed.

The Rover Peace Baton was displayed at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park, Chelmsford UK where Scouts from various countries had the opportunity to touch and express their thoughts on Peace.

The Peace Baton relay attracted the attention of media almost in all countries. Print and telecast media gave a wide publicity to this project and Scouting.

“If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities.
Is there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors
If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart.