Cambodia marks historic Wood Badge presentation

It was a rare occasion in Phnom Penh in the presence of His Excellency Im Sethy, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, where a group of 43 adult leaders received their Wood Badge and Gilwell scarf on 16 March 2011, marking a new momentum for Scout leadership in Cambodia.

Less than five years ago, Cambodia made a historic move to unify two parallel Scout associations and formed one National Scout Organization which they named National Association of Cambodian Scouts. Not long after, it became a full member of WOSM in 2008. Today the association’s name is Cambodia Scouts.

With the support of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Asia-Pacific Regional Office trained adult leaders since 2007 with two basic training courses and an advanced course in 2009. This paved the way for the first batch of Wood Badge holders and Cambodia Scouts is on its way to have its own national training team.

Cambodia Scouts aim at having 150,000 members by 2020, and to achieve this, it needs to further strengthen its leader training capacity, starting with the first Course for Assistant Leader Trainers scheduled at the end of November 2011.

The Wood Badge and the Gilwell scarf were presented by Regional Scout Committee 1st Vice Chairman Mr Prakorb Mukura and Consultant Mr Mohamed Ali Khalid. Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed emphasized the responsibility that comes with wearing the Wood Badge and the Gilwell scarf.

The first Vice President of the National Scout Council and Minister of Education presented the certificates. He encouraged all the leaders to continue providing qualitative Scouting activities and assured the support of his Ministry for the expansion of Scouting in the country.

Cambodia Scouts Secretary General Mr Lak Sam Ath highlighted the details of past training activities before a large number of adult leaders including the council vice-presidents, chief commissioner and international commissioner.

Picture 1: © Cambodia Scouts