EduFor 2017: Together for a common goal

Creating a common understanding of the educational purpose of Scouting is the primary purpose of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Youth Forum (EduFor) now happening at the National Scout Training Centre in Mouchak, Bangladesh.

This Forum, a collaboration between Bangladesh Scouts and WOSM Asia-Pacific Region, also serves as an evaluation on how National Scout Organizations are progressing using the outcomes of the World Scout Education Congress.

Sixty participants representing 17 National Scout Organizations were warmly received by Bangladesh Scouts, led by Dr Md Mozammel Haque Khan, Chief National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts who serves as Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration.

To ensure the attainment of the participants’ needs and expectations, resource speakers were invited to share their knowledge which include Hany Abdulmonem, Director of Youth Programme at World Scout Bureau; Peter Blatch, Member of World Scout Committee; and Paul Parkinson, Chairman of APR Scout Committee.

Prof. Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chairman of National Programme Committee, Bangladesh Scouts, delivered the keynote message on "Effective Practices with Non-Formal Education," while the President of Bangladesh Scouts and Principal SDG Coordinator of the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Md. Abul Kalam Aza, talked about Sustainable Development Goals in Action.

Before the forum, the APR Programme Sub-Committee met at the National Training Centre with its Chairman, Dev Raj Ghimire, presiding. The meeting highlighted the EDUFOR2017 Programme developed by a task team with Sub-committee Vice-chairman Eric Lam as lead.

The EduFor was fully supported by the World Scout Bureau APR team: Regional Director JRC Pangilinan, Syd Castillo, Thian Hiong Boon and Arjay Cameros.