[Euroscoutinfo-en] Euro.Scout.Info - Issue 78 - March 2010
Rupert Schildböck
4th European Scout Symposium A Big Success!
4 – 7 March 2010, Budapest, Hungary
The 4th European Scout Symposium, which took place in Budapest, Hungary, over the first weekend in March, provided an excellent start in building the next Regional Scout Plan. With almost all NSOs represented, the 99 participants took part in a number of discussions with the aim of defining the key themes and direction for the next triennium.
Updates on what was happening at world level, including in relation to governance, helped provide context to the discussions. The presence and participation of Mario Diaz, Vice Chairman of the World Scout Committee, Luc Panissod, Secretary General and David Bull, Chairman of the Governance Review Task Force was warmly welcomed.
On the Sunday morning the European Scout Committee presented the outcomes from the discussions and these were met with approval from the participants. Several very helpful comments were also made and these are being considered now that the European Scout Committee is doing more work on the drafting of the Regional Scout Plan.
The European Scout Committee is grateful for the many discussions that took place in Budapest and is very much looking forward to seeing everyone in Brussels in July later this year.
Areas of Work
Educational Methods
“κάτι αλλάζει” - A New Training System To Be Launched in Cyprus
The Training Committee of the Cyprus Scout Association (CSA), including some trainers and District Commissioners recently met to discuss renewal of the association’s Training System. At the moment, CSA relies on a well-developed traditional-style Training System with complete documentation available for both trainers and trainees. It was now the intention of the Training Committee to explore alternative ways of organising its training.
Well-received assistance was provided by the European Region, which had aimed at helping and encouraging committee members to utilise the Training System Toolkit available for the redesign of a Leader Training Scheme, which would perfectly meet the needs and requirements of the Cyprus Scout Association. Advice was given to undergo the Training System’s review free from prejudice and commitment to the "traditional" Method.
Having successfully analysed the current situation and identified elements of a framework for the new Training System of CSA, the participants of the meeting discussed points in favour of or against “patching” the existing system or of developing a completely new one. Finally, an action plan eventually leading to a renewed Training System was elaborated and approved aiming at introducing the new approach by September 2012.
Romanian Scouting: 100 Ideas for Non-Formal Education
Romanian Scouting has recently launched a project aimed at increasing the civic participation of children and young volunteers. It focuses on training, non-formal educative and volunteering activities and addresses young citizens from all regions of Romania. Altogether, more than 80 young people will receive an overview of current trends in education and will learn how to draw up, develop, implement and evaluate interesting activities for children and young people in the area of community involvement.
The National Programme Team will follow this project and develop new tools relevant to non-formal education and adapted to the emerging needs of children and young people of today’s Romanian society. A booklet entitled “100 Ideas for Non-Formal Education” will be published and shared with all organisations working with and for children and young people in the country.
Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia’s ACT Branch Touring Europe
Neville Tomkins, who is Chief Commissioner of Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Branch within Scouts Australia recently toured North America and Europe and paid a visit to the European Regional Scout Office in Geneva. Studying the approach of different NSOs to matters related to recruitment, training and retention of young adult volunteers in Scouting, Neville was particularly interested in learning how the European Region was dealing with this question. In turn he shared experiences Scouts Australia had made in this area.
Development and Support
Developing Scouting in Kosovo
An open meeting on Development Scouting in Kosovo was held in Pristina on 6 March 2010, facilitated by Craig Turpie (UK), Chairman of the European Regional Scout Committee and David McKee, Regional Director.
The meeting was targeted at those who had expressed a desire to be involved in developing Scouting in Kosovo and in the future as its leaders, facilitators and supporters. There had been no need for participants to have previous experience of Scouting. The main topics for discussion were focussing on what Scouting was, how Scouting was organised around the World and around Europe, on how best to help develop Scouting in Kosovo, and on what kind of support would be available from the European Region.
More than 20 participants, representatives of existing Scout groups for different parts of Kosovo, as well as some young people, interested in future work in Scouting participated in the meeting sharing their current and recent experiences in Scouting. Many had been very involved when partner Scout Groups from around Europe and beyond had maintained contact and support.
In the course of the discussion the desire of participants to be active and to do something to reach the point of some development of movement of Scouting became apparent. However, it was recognised that in the current political situation of Kosovo, the Region could not establish any recognition programme. It was agreed to have meetings of the network of Scout groups in Kosovo, up to twice a year to facilitate basic training about what Scouting is, how groups can develop, where funding is available from, and similar topics.
There was agreement that any development of a single organisation required the individual groups to work together and it was made clear that the aim of the Region’s initiative was to stimulate local growth. The Region offered support to facilitate the production of programme support material in the Albanian language.
Following this meeting, the European Region has also had discussions with representatives of the Serbian NSO as well as with representatives of the ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture in Pristina.
(Illustration © University of Newcastle School of Geography)
European Scout and Guide Growth Network to Meet in Budapest in Spring 2010
The European Scout and Guide Growth Network’s last working meeting of the current triennium will happen later during the spring in Budapest, Hungary, and gather key representatives of NSOs/NSAs from the European Region. Youth Programme, Recruitment as well as Communication will be the main areas of discussion during the 3-day event. Participants to the meeting, who will ideally already have some responsibilities in the fields of growth and development in their NSO/NSA, will have plenty of opportunities to share and collect best practices contributing to strengthening the Region’s collective expertise relevant to the growth of the movement. Additional information as well as the application form are available on the website and have also been circulated through EuroPak.
Relationships and Funding
European Youth Forum: Micro-Finance Support to Help Young Unemployed Become Entrepreneurs
The EU will provide 45,000 micro-loans over a period of eight years to unemployed and small entrepreneurs. The initiative is especially targeted at those people who would normally find it difficult to obtain credit due to the economic crisis and current lack of credit supply. This includes young people - young entrepreneurs who have aspirations to start up their own business.
The Employment and Social Affairs Ministers of the EU agreed on the new facility on 8 March 2010. An initial budget of EUR 100 million is expected to lever EUR 500 million of credit from international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank Group. László Andor, Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs and Inclusion, said of the project: "It will increase the supply and accessibility of micro-loans so vulnerable groups find a way out of unemployment. It will also boost entrepreneurship and the social economy in Europe.” Those who receive the help will also benefit from business mentoring, special training and coaching.
The European Youth Forum strongly encourages such initiatives, as they are consistent with the organisation's campaign to improve employment opportunities for young people as one of the most vulnerable groups, especially in the current times of record youth unemployment in Europe.
Life of the Movement
European Region
“Concordia 2010: Many Hearts – One Beat” – 10th Central European Scout and Guide Jamboree
2 – 11 August 2010, Budapest, Hungary
More than 1000 Scouts and Guides will spend ten exciting days this summer at the 10th Central European Scout and Guide Jamboree. Originally initiated in the early 1930s the tradition of jamborees for Scouts and Guides from Central European countries was re-launched in 1997 and has quickly gained its place in the sub-regional calendar. This year, groups, troops and units from 22 NSO/NSAs have so far announced their intention to participate.
Now organised in rotation by an NSO of one of the four Visegrád Countries (CZ, PL, HU, SK) in a two-year rhythm, this year’s jamboree will be held at Sztrilich Pál Scout Park a few kilometres to the west of Budapest. Further details, including information for those interested in joining the International Service Team (IST), are available at http://concordia2010.hu/. Registrations are still welcome; so don’t miss this opportunity for intercultural learning and exchange with fellow Scouts and Guides from Central Europe.
(Logo & Source © Magyar Cserkészszövetség)
“Move to 10 – ruhrjamb 2010” – German Scouts Organise Jamboree to Mark the European Capital of Culture
6 – 22 August 2010, Essen-Stoppenberg, Germany
The German city of Essen, situated in the centre of the Ruhr region, is one of this year’s European Capitals for Cultural and the Scouts and Guides of the District of Essen of the Deutscher Pfadfinderverband Sankt Georg (DPSG, one of the member NSAs of the German NSO) has not hesitated to get involved by marking this occasion and is organising a sub-regional jamboree this summer.
“Move to 10” has been chosen as theme for this event, and the programme activities offered to some 2000 Scouts and Guides from all over Europe and abroad will provide a range of interested activities linked to the overall theme, such as “Move to Scouting”, “Move to Europe”, Move to Ruhr” or “Move to Culture”. Among the many participants will be representatives of Scout groups from Pécs and Istanbul, the partner cities of Essen. Detailed information is available on http://ruhrjamb2010.de/.
(Logo & Source © Diözesanverband Essen DPSG)
Interamerican Region
Raul Sanchez Appointed Regional Director
Following an open process carried out in collaboration and agreement with the Interamerican Regional Scout Committee, Luc Panissod, Secretary General of World Scouting has recently appointed Raul Sanchez Vaca, from Mexico, as the new Regional Director of the World Scout Bureau, Interamerican Regional Office.
Raul Sanchez is 41 years old, married and father of one. Trained in chemical engineering and business administration, Raul began Scouting at the age of 13, when he joined Troop 77 of the Scout Association of Mexico. He later became a Troop Leader at the age of 18 and has since then successively occupied the position of Scout Group Leader, Provincial President and member of the National Board. In 2002, he was appointed Chief Scout, a volunteer position and in 2005 the National Board asked him to become Chief Scout Executive of his association, a position he has held until now.
Thanks to his Scout and non-scouting assignments, Raul is familiar with all the facets of management, including strategic planning, budgeting, monitoring and assessment. The European Region joins other in wishing Raul success in his new appointment and is looking forward to continued cooperation with the Interamerican Region.
World Scouting
“Paddle Your Own Way” - 11th World Scout Youth Forum
3 – 6 January 2011, Blumenau, Brazil
The six World Scout Youth Advisors continue to be very busy in planning next year’s 11th World Scout Youth Forum, which will take place in the city of Blumenau just before the 39th World Scout Conference (10 – 14 January 2011 in Curitiba, Brazil).
Plenary sessions and workshops will be focussed around the overall theme “Paddle Your Own Way” and address matters related to the empowerment of young adults and to Scouting as a World Wide Movement.
A special joint website has been setup for both the Youth Forum and the Conference where all relevant details will become available as we approach the dates of the events: http://www.wsc2011.org/wsc2011/en/world_scout_youth_forum.php
ISGF Holds 7th European Conference in Cyprus
3 – 7 November 2010, Agia Napa, Cyprus
Members of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship (ISGF) from around Europe will travel to Cyprus later this year where the 7th European ISGF Conference is being organised by the Cyprus fellowship.
Under the overall theme “Fellowship and Peace” participants will not only spend time with debate and statutory matters but will also have the opportunity to experience the renowned hospitality and beauties of Cyprus.
Management of the Region
Nicolas Ott (LU) Joins European Regional Office Team
With just a few of months left before the opening of the 20th European Scout Conference in Brussels (17 – 21 July 2010), the European Regional Scout Office was recently reinforced. Based at the Brussels Office and on a six-month mandate, Nicolas Ott, from Luxemburg, has particular responsibilities linked to the conference.
Reminders and Deadlines
Agora 2010
22 – 25 April 2010, Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland
26 March 2010
Growth Network Meeting
30 April – 2 May 2010, Budapest, Hungary
30 March 2010
20th European Scout Conference & 13th European Guide and Scout Conference
17 – 21 July 2010, Brussels, Belgium
Don’t forget to register your delegation and plan your travel (for details: http://www.europeanconference.be)
Useful Information
Web www.scout.org/europe
EuroPak www.europak-online.net
Stay in contact
World Scout Bureau
European Regional Office
Switzerland
P.O. Box 327
Rue Henri Christiné 5
CH-1211 Geneva 4
Tel: (+41 22) 705 11 00
Fax: (+41 22) 705 11 09
Email: eur...@scout.org
Belgium
Avenue de la Porte de Hal 38
BE-1060 Brussels
Tel: (+32 2) 534 33 15
Fax: (+32 2) 534 16 54
Email: eur...@scout.org