CALT participants commit to produce more quality Unit Leaders

Cambodia Scouts (CS) created another milestone as 30 Scout Leaders were trained in the first Assistant Leader Trainers ever to be held in Cambodia. The course ran from 27 April to 3 May 2015 in Siem Reap. In addition to local participants, there were three from Cambodia, four from Hong Kong, three from Malaysia and one from Philippines.

The Secretary of State of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Mr. Chuch Phoeurn was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony. He is also Vice-President of Cambodia Scouts. He said that Scouting started in Cambodia in 1934 but interrupted a few times until it was reintroduced in 1999.

“I am glad to announce the 15% growth in membership. In this case, Cambodia Scouts needs to train more adult leaders, mostly school teachers to conduct Scouting activities. More importantly, we need to build stronger capacity of Wood Badge holders to gain three beads and run Basic Unit Leaders Training Courses”, Phoeurn said.

Others present at the opening ceremony were Mr. Mao Vuthy, Vice-Governor of Siem Reap Province and also President of Cambodia Scouts, Siem Reap Province; Chief Commissioner, Mr Tuon Siphann; Mr Kong Uok, Vice-President; Mr Hong Ongpol Vanna, Dy Director, Department of Education, Youth & Sports; and Mr Lak Sam Ath, Secretary General.

Course Leader was Leonides Son who is National Training Commissioner of Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Overseas trainers were Ivan Tam (Hong Kong); Lay Hooi-Lin, Ekbert Yong and Khoo HK (Malaysia); Bernard de Leon (Philippines) and Thian Hiong Boon from the Asia-Pacific Regional Office.

Sessions delivered during the course were Scouting Knowledge, Training skills, Adult Learning Skills, Leadership, and Personal Development Skills.

The participants were expected to implement their plan of action to produce more qualify adults who, in turn, will support the advancement of young Scout members into higher ranks and sections.

The Asia-Pacific Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement conducted the first two basic courses in Phnom Penh in 2007 and 2008 and followed by the first Advanced Course in 2009. Today Cambodia Scouts has 44 were Wood Badge holders.

The Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr Im Koeh officiated the closing ceremony. Participants donated fund to the Nepal Scouts earthquake rehabilitation project.