World Scouting leadership to visit Israel and Palestine after Jordan
The Steering Committee of the World Scout Committee (WSC) of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) embarked on a tour to the Middle East aiming to promote WOSM’s Vision 2023 and support the development plans for Scouting in the region. The trip which includes Jordan, Israel and Palestine will cover various outreach activities and provide impetus for advancing the growth plans of the three National Scout Organizations (NSOs).
En-route to Israel and Palestine today, the delegation just concluded a four-day visit to Jordan focusing on supporting Scouting in the country. Through a series of meetings with high-level government officials and Scout groups in the country, the visit emphasized plans for modernizing Scouting and establishing national partnerships to advance Scouting.
The delegation in Jordan consisted of the WSC Chairperson, Craig Turpie; WOSM Secretary General, Ahmad Alhendawi; WSC Vice-Chairpersons, Jemima Nartey and Andy Chapman; Youth Advisor to the WSC, Julius Kramer as well as Hana Pašić and Dr. Atif Abdelmageed from the Senior Management of the World Scout Bureau.
During the visit the delegation met with HRH Princess Basma bint Talal, President of the Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, who welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of Jordan’s membership in this global youth-led movement and the country’s commitment to work towards Vision 2023. The Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides joined WOSM in 1955 and plays a strong role as a member in the Arab region.
The visit included meetings with the Minister of Education and Minister of Youth & Culture, as well as meetings and iftar with Scout groups in Fuheys and Amman. In addition to the meetings with national partners of Scouting, the Steering Committee convened its annual in-person meeting, reflecting on the progress of WOSM’s Triennial Plan which was launched in 2017.
Following the visit to Jordan, the delegation is set to commence a four-day visit to Israel and Palestine, spending two days in each country with plans to reach out to various Scout groups and exploring ways to support both National Scout Organisations.
In Israel, the delegation consisting of Craig Turpie, Andy Chapman, Jemima Nartey, David McKee and Hana Pašić, is scheduled to join activities organized by Scout groups in Haifa and Tel Aviv. The delegation will meet with national leadership and National Scout Associations’ council, as well as attend an event organized by Hebrew Scouts.
In transition, the delegation will join a project supported by the Palestinian Scouts on supporting the fasting prayers and iftar at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The delegation will then proceed to visit the Palestinian Scout Association in Ramallah. The visit to Palestine will see a number of meetings and activities including with the leadership of the Palestinian Scout Association and Scout groups in a number of Palestinian cities.