[Euroscoutinfo-en] Euro.Scout.Info – Issue 58 – June 2008
Joy Morton
Areas of Work
The WSB-ERO goes green
After many months of work the World Scout Bureau – European Regional
Office (WSB-ERO) has adopted an environmental action plan. Just as the tag
line of WOSM is “creating a better world”, so we must ensure not to cause
any unnecessary harm. The WSB-ERO will now seek to do these two things
through our work and through our actions.
The office and the staff have committed to a number of personal and
collective actions. If you would like to now more, the action plan is
available at this link:
[ http://scout.org/en/media/files/europe/wsb_ero_environment_action
]http://scout.org/en/media/files/europe/wsb_ero_environment_action
Educational Methods
RoverWay 2009 Jambassador meeting
29 May – 2 June 2008 at Ulfljotsvatn Scout Centre in Iceland
Every 3 years Rovers from all over Europe are offered the unique
opportunity to attend RoverWay. The Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout
Association ‘Bandalag islenskra skata’ will present the next RoverWay from
20-28 July 2009. Recently the RoverWay Jambassadors met in Iceland. As
official representatives of RoverWay 2009 in their own National Scout
Association, they had the opportunity to:
- Get all the information on RoverWay2009
- Discuss different issues of interest
- Get to know the RoverWay organising team
- Scout out’ the Ulfljotsvatn Scout Centre where the second part of
RoverWay (Althingi) will take place
This meeting was an excellent opportunity to present the RoverWay
programme,its Journeys and Althingi; the registration system, IST,
financial issues, promotion plans, etc. and all of this with an “Icelandic
touch” during 24 hours of daylight.
25 Jambassadors from 22 different associations, as well as representatives
from European Regions of WAGGGS and WOSM, participated in the meeting.
More information about RoverWay 2009 can be found on its website: [
http://www.roverway.is ]www.roverway.is
Development and Support
T-Kits
We know that associations in Europe are always keen to see and use new and
interesting resources to help them in their work. The Organisational
Development Core Group would like to take this opportunity to remind
associations of the very useful T-Kits (Training Kits) that are produced
by the Council of Europe in partnership with the European Commission. We
believe that the content in many of them is relevant to associations in
Europe. There are 10 T-Kits covering the following topics:
1. Organisational Management
This T-Kit seeks to encourage the development of well-managed youth
organisations across Europe through the provision of a theoretical
foundation and practical application of organisational management
techniques.
2. Methodology in Language Learning
Language skills and intercultural awareness are essential in the
organisation of international events. More and more youth organisations
now need to be able to provide their members or European volunteers with
the necessary skills to communicate in international settings
(international events or volunteering in a host country). This T-Kit
presents a methodology for learning language and developing communicative
ability in a target language.
3. Project Management
In the last 20 years projects have taken a central role in youth work and
can be considered today as a tool for social change, a cornerstone to
community development and to international youth work or even as a tool to
build and/or strengthen civil society. As a consequence, the management of
projects has become a necessary skill for youth organisations and a
recurrent topic for youth work training.
4. Intercultural Learning
This T-kit will help you to come to your own conclusions about
intercultural learning theory and practice within the context of youth
work and training.
5. International Voluntary Service
“Volunteering” or “voluntary service”: is there a difference? Knowing that
every concept has different national and local connotations, we wanted to
clarify the distinction we made between these words and the main issues
underlining these concepts.
6. Training Essentials
Training is present in nearly every field of our societies today, in
business and politics, in our public roles and aspects of our private
lives. This publication addresses training in the specific contexts of
international or intercultural youth work and co-operation, and informal
or non-formal education and learning.
7. Under Construction – Citizenship, Youth and Europe
This T-Kit explores the concept and practice of European Citizenship
itself, and then of education for European Citizenship, both in theory and
in practice. All of this is linked back into youth work in Europe.
8. Social Inclusion
Youth work plays an essential role in reaching and bringing together young
people who face exclusion on a daily basis. It is true that there are many
other factors in society that can contribute to the social inclusion of
young people, not least the abilities and strengths of young people
themselves, but for young people with the fewest opportunities youth work
and youth organisations can be a principal means of such inclusion. This
T-Kit explores these important issues.
9. Funding and Financial Management
The search for funding and financial management has been a challenge ever
since organised youth activities began some 150 years ago. In Europe
funding for youth activities has come from various sources over the years.
Members of youth organisations and individuals have always been sources of
financial and material support. This T-Kit explores the ongoing search for
funding and need for wise financial management.
10. Educational Evaluation in Youth Work
Evaluation is not something that people get immediately excited about.
Often it is associated with “writing long reports”, “justifying your work
to someone else”, “measuring the immeasurable”, “filling out forms and
questionnaires”, etc. Boring, tiring, difficult: not exciting at all.
In this T-Kit we want to show you that evaluation can be thrilling,
electrifying, stimulating,
fun, exciting… or at least attractive and inspiring enough to integrate it
into your educational work. Evaluation becomes Educational Evaluation.
Reasons to use T-Kits
- They are aimed at youth workers and trainers
- They offer theoretical as well as practical tools to use when training
- They have been produced in many languages
- They have been developed by trainers and leaders working in similar
organisations
- They are high quality
- They are accessible from the wide and can be distributed widely
- They recognise the diversity of different realities in organisations
across Europe
- They already exist! There is no need to 'reinvent the wheel'.
Who produces them?
The T-Kits are a product of the Partnership in the field of Youth between
the Council of
Europe and the European Commission. Besides the T-Kits, the Partnership
has resulted
in other areas of cooperation such as training courses, the magazine
'Coyote', research
and youth policy activities and an Internet site hosting also the European
Knowledge
Centre for Youth Policy.
Where can I find the T-Kits?
You can find all of the T-Kits on-line at: www.youth-partnership.net
Relationships and Funding
External Funding Unit meets
23 – 25 May 2008 in Athens, Greece
The External Funding Unit, a new unit offering solid support to NSOs that
are interested to explore their financing potential has met to further
advance its work and continues its preparations for the forthcoming Scout
Academy. Vojta Broucek (CZ) and Costas Tsolakidis (GR) had a productive
weekend with the guidance of Marios Christou (CY) and the support of Mike
Walker from the WSB-ERO staff.
As already announced, the External Funding Unit is available to support
NSOs in various ways, such as;
- Direct support to NSOs
- Exploring the broad potential that Scouting in Europe
- Attracting and maintaining funding in support of their programmes
- Dealing with specific issues
- Guidance in succeeding with E.U. funded programmes
- Increasing awareness in funding opportunities within a sub-regional
perspective.
- Support to interested NSOs is provided through the Tailored Support Unit
contact system
The EU recognises the role of youth organisations in increasing the
participation of disadvantaged young people
The Education, Youth and Culture Council of the European Union adopted a
resolution on 22 May on the participation of young people with fewer
opportunities. The resolution recognises the role of youth organisations
in promoting the inclusion and well-being of disadvantaged young people
and the need to secure support from public authorities for these
organisations, so that they may continue and expand this work.
Scouting in Europe is committed to reaching out to all young people – to
create a better world for all, including those with fewer opportunities.
Numerous NSOs are adapting and delivering a flexible Scout programme. An
example of this being the Overtures Network: [
http://www.overture-network.org ]www.overture-network.org While WOSM
welcome the adoption of the resolution we must continue to press Member
States and the European Commission to deliver on their commitments to
develop and implement concrete policies and initiatives that empower the
full participation in public life of all young people in partnership with
youth organisations.
In response to a proposal made by the European Commission in September
2007, WOSM and the European Youth Forum (YFJ) expect the President of the
European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and the
Prime Minister of Slovenia (President of the European Council) to sign a
declaration on strengthening the cooperation between young people and
European decision-makers. We are anxious to see a continuation of the
development of structured dialogue between the European institutions and
the YFJ to contribute to a coherent and tailored strategy for young people
over the next decade; a European Youth Strategy 2009-2020.
Link to this resolution:
www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/educ/100570.pdf
WOSM’s 6th Meeting in the European Parliament
7 May 2008 at European Parliament, in Brussels, Belgium
On 7 May WOSM held its 6th meeting in the European Parliament on how young
people are leading social change in Africa in the framework of EU Africa
co-operation. The meeting was hosted by a Scout and a Member of the
European Parliament (MEP), Alessandro Battilocchio (IT) and was addressed
by Margrete Auken (DK), the Parliament's Vice-President Luisa Morgantini
(IT), Anthony Crasner, The European Commission (DG DEV), Julia Ojanen of
Plan International/Concord, Giuseppe Porcaro, The European Youth Forum and
Babacar Ndiaye, CNGEI (IT). Various methods of empowering young people
were discussed, as was the need to focus on education and the
opportunities provided by youth organisations between the two continents
especially between the nearly one million Scouts in Africa and the 1.4
million in Europe.
Babacar Ndiaye explained how Scouting in Africa has been adapted to meet
local needs, particularly community development. Ms. Auken described
Scouting as “Being of vital importance by giving young people a sense of
their own potential, especially for girls". Ms. Morgantini praised the
increasingly collaborative approach being taken by the EU with Africa, but
expressed the belief that policy contradictions still exist. Anthony
Crasner of the Commission added, "Young people should have a voice… and
that voice should be heard". Julia Ojanen of Plan International/Concord
said young people must claim political spaces so as to empower a voice,
equality and employment.
Although Scouting is not involved with party politics, it plays an active
role in civil society as it advocates youth involvement, non-formal
education, global citizenship and volunteering. In December 2007, Scouts
played an active role at the EU-Africa Youth Summit and as a grassroots
organisation is now ready to help in the implementation of the EU-Africa
strategy. Mr. Battilocchio reaffirmed that; "Scouts are always welcome in
my office".
2011 European Year of Volunteering
Last month we told you how, on Wednesday 9 April, Members of the European
Parliament (MEPs), Marian Harkin (IE), Gisela Kallenbach (DE), Emmanouil
Angelakas (GR), Mieczyslaw Janowski (PL) and Joel Hasse Ferreira (PT)
launched a written declaration in the European Parliament to propose 2011
be designated the European Year of Volunteering.
We explained how a declaration in the European Parliament requires 50% +1
(391) of all MEPs signature. We now have 206 signatures. To those of you
have contributed to that number by making contact with your MEPs, thank
you. To the rest, it is not too late.
Scouting is led and based on volunteering. The designation of 2011 would
significantly add to our recognition and to the climate in which we work.
Contacting your MEPs is not difficult and it can be enough to motivate
them to sign, particularly if you do it in co-operation with your National
Youth Council, National Scout Organisation and/or Red Cross National
Branch. The deadline for collecting signatures is 10 July, so please do
not delay in acting.
We would strongly encourage you to act with your National Youth Council
and Red Cross National Branch to:
1. Make contact with your national MEPs;
2. Personalise and send the template letter to your MEPs. Download at this
link; [
http://scout.org/en/content/download/11159/91734/file/European%20Parliament_EN.doc
]http://scout.org/en/content/download/11159/91734/file/European%20Parliament_EN.doc
more details at: [ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ ]www.europarl.europa.eu
Invite them to participate in a local activity, giving MEPs the
opportunity to learn more about your work and volunteering.
This is a great opportunity to affect change at a local, national and
European level - the potential outcome far outweighs the work of reacting
to this letter. If you would like further information or support in
exploiting this opportunity, then please do not hesitate to contact [
mailto:mwa...@scout.org ]mwa...@scout.org.
EU Funding
For the second year in a row the European Scout Region has secured
administrative support from the EU Commission through the Youth in Action.
This year we have been awarded the maximum allocation of €35,000.
This is an important endorsement of the work of the Region and illustrates
two things:
1. European Scouting is fundable;
2. Youth in Action is open to Scouting.
While only European level organisations can apply for administrative
support, there are many other opportunities for NSOs within Youth in
Action.
If you would like to know more, or have experience of the Youth in Action,
please contact mwa...@scout.org. EU Youth in Action programme website: [
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm
]http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm
Committee contacts
Field Visit to Switzerland
Weekend of 16 – 18 May 2008, in Einsiedeln, Switzerland
The Committee Contact for Switzerland, Paolo Fiora attended the first
National Conference 2008 of the Swiss NSO Mouvement Scout de Suisse
(MSdS). During this Conference, Anne Guyaz was elected as President of
MSdS. She joined Andreas Spichiger to chair the National Board. The
assembly has clearly shown they would like to change their decision making
process so that all the Swiss Cantons achieve decision making through a
common method.
The participants attended different workshops presented at the National
Conference.
In a couple of months 22,000 Swiss Pfadfinder plus 2,700 Swiss helpers
(Staff) will attend Contura 2008, their National Camp.
Life of the Movement
The ‘KISC Adrenaline Experience’
31 August – 7 September 2008
If you want a week of High Adventure with like-minded people, this event
is for you! This week is a perfect way to finish your summer on a high
altitude note, and make some new international friends!
To take part you must:
- Be over 18
- Have a good fitness level
- Be ready to try new activities
- Have CHF 674 (EUR 420*)
Included in the price is all of your food and shared accommodation with 6
days of high altitude adventure activities. Get the details on [
http://www.kisc.ch ]www.kisc.ch.
* The price is charged in Swiss Francs. The EUR price is only an
indication and may vary according to the current exchange rate.
KISC special Members’ Week
21 – 28 September 2008
The week is for KISC Members to come together and enjoy a week-long
programme in Kandersteg. During the week you will get the chance to meet
KISC Members from all over the world and catch up with old friends.
To take part in the week you must:
- Be a member of the KISC Association
- Be ready to try new activities and make new friends
- Have CHF 674 (EUR 420*)
Included in the price is all of your food and shared accommodation with 5
days of high altitude adventure activities. Get the details on [
http://www.kisc.ch ]www.kisc.ch.
* The price is charged in CHF (Swiss Francs). The Euro price is only an
indication and may vary according to the current exchange rate.
Reminders and Deadlines
Managing Adult Resources Network Meeting
4-7 September 2008 in Athens, Greece
Deadline: 28 June 2008
Campaign to have 2011 as European Year of Volunteering
In every country in Europe
Deadline: 8 July 2008
The Scout Academy
20-26 October 2008 in Molina, Spain
Deadline: 12 September 2008
Network meeting for Guide and Scout representatives in National Youth
Councils _
21-23 november 2008, Dublin, Ireland
Deadline: 30 September 2008
Useful Information
Europak: [ http://www.europak-online.net ]http://www.europak-online.net
Stay in contact
World Scout Bureau - European Regional Office
Rue Henri Christiné 5, P.O. Box 327
CH-1211 Geneva 4
Switzerland
Tel: (+41 22) 705 11 00
Fax: (+41 22) 705 11 09
Email: [ mailto:eur...@scout.org ]eur...@scout.org
Web: [ http://www.scout.org/europe ]www.scout.org/europe