[Euroscoutinfo-en] Euro.Scout.Info - Issue 80 - May 2010
Rupert Schildböck
Final Count Down to Opening of 13th European Guide and Scout Conference
Brussels, Belgium, 17 - 21 July 2010
Less than seven weeks from now, more than 400 delegates from the 41 NSOs of the European Scout Region and from 39 Member Organisations of the Europe Region WAGGGS will come together in the centre of Brussels for the 13th European Guide and Scout Conference and the parallel 20th European Scout and 13th European Guide Conferences.
The conference will receive activity and financial reports of the Regions for the period since the previous conference, which was held in Slovenia in 2007, and will approve the plans for the next triennium.
Another highlight of the conference will be the elections of the European Scout Committee and the Europe Committee WAGGGS, the volunteer driven governance organs of the two Regions.
Make sure that your National Scout Organization / Member Organisation has registered its delegation and reserved accommodation. All relevant information is circulated through Europak (www.europak-online.net/) and is also available on the Conference website (www.europeanconference.be/). As a back up, information is carried on the Conference blog at www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/europe/information_events/blogs/20th_european_scout_conference
Areas of Work
Development and Support
Growth Network Plans the Future in Budapest
Budapest, Hungary, 30 April – 2 May 2010
Taking full advantage of meeting in the same location as the capacity building event “Top Ten”, 33 members of the Growth Network recently met for the sixth time during the current triennium to work on growth factors related to areas of Youth Programme, Recruitment and Communication. Participants of the “Top Ten” event joined some of the sessions and contributed to the success of the weekend.
The group considered potential impact of the soon to be released draft Regional Scout Plan, which will be discussed and approved at the forthcoming European Guide and Scout Conferences later this year (see opening article of this issue). It was agreed that successful growth depended on a more holistic strategy. Having concentrated on the renewal of structures and the development of new ways of working as well as on the implementation of best practices of NSOs during the past triennium, it was now important to keep the theme of growth alive amongst NSOs and on their agendas.
During the debates it became evident that growth was still an important topic for a number of Scout and Guide organisations. It will therefore have a prominent place on the agenda during the forthcoming European Conferences as well as at the Academy later during the autumn. Based on the outcome of the discussions at the Conference in Brussels, the working methods for matters dealing with growth are likely to be revised but there was agreement that some kind of structure was essential to guarantee continuation of the important debate in this area.
If you were interested in the work of the group of volunteers and professionals, currently known as Growth Network, please have a look at the group’s web site at www.europak-online.net/growth, where you can also find all the presentations and best practices presented at previous meetings of the Growth Network. You can also join the group for an online chat on 15 June 2010 at 20.30 pm CEST. Let’s keep the issue of growth alive!
The European Membership Software Goes Asia-Pacific
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 20 – 23 May 2010
Forty participants from the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), including representatives of NSOs from Korea, Indonesia, Scouts of China, Malaysia, Singapore, Papa New Guinea, Bangladesh and Australia, recently attended a Workshop on Membership Growth organised by the Asia-Pacific Regional Office.
The aim of this workshop was to provide an avenue for leaders at regional and national levels who are responsible for membership growth to share and exchange ideas with the intention of meeting the regional growth figures by 2012.
The European Scout Region supported this event by sending Kevin Camilleri, a member of the Region’s Organisational Development Core Group, to deliver a session on the Membership Registration Tool, which the Core Group is promoting.
Participants were given the opportunity to understand the different elements which make up a registration system and why they are important to the overall growth strategy of the organisation. A detailed demonstration of the different functions of the software and explanations of the advantages for NSOs wishing to work with this tool was part of Kevin’s presentation. Each participating NSO received a copy of the software package allowing further testing and facilitating the decision whether or not it was considered answering specific needs.
Organisational Development Core Group Meets in Malta: Review and Outlook
Malta, 14 – 16 May 2010
Supported by Kevin Camilleri, the European Scout Region’s Organisational Development Core Group recently met in Malta. Mediterranean hospitality and nice weather contributed to the successful completion of a number of projects related to the different areas of work of the Core Group.
The group spent considerable time on discussing the membership report and identified ways of improving its structure allowing a better understanding of NSO membership numbers.
The evaluation of the Growth Network meetings held during the current triennium was another item on the meeting’s agenda and different options for further improving this area during the next three years were discussed, always aiming at helping NSOs and NSAs to reach out to an increasing number of children and young people.
The group also reviewed the concept of the first European Regional podcast, which will focus on the topic of “Learning Organisation” and which was going to be launched later during the month.
Before closing the Core Group’s meeting, some time was spent evaluating recent achievements in organisational development and discussing possible future organisational options for this important area of work of the European Scout Region.
Relationships and Funding
European Scout Foundation: Friends of Scouting in Europe To Meet Throughout the Summer
Under the leadership of Monica and Olle Alsén, two Swedish “Super Friends”, 25 Swedish Friends of Scouting in Europe (FOSE) recently met in Sweden’s capital to share latest developments of the European Scout Foundation’s FOSE programme. During a special ceremony, a number of new Friends were welcomed and received their membership certificates.
Similar gatherings are currently planned to take place in Finland, Latvia, Denmark and the United Kingdom during the coming months.
This coming June and under the leadership of the European Scout Foundation’s Board member Juris Ullmanis, national heads of the FOSE programme (so-called Super Friends) will come together in Riga, Latvia, to review the quality of the current FOSE programme and to explore new ways to improve the Foundation’s “Small Projects” programme.
A highlight of upcoming events will certainly be the reception organised for members of FOSE on the occasion of the forthcoming European Scout Conference in Brussels (17 – 21 July 2010).
Life of the Movement
European Region
European Civic Days 2010: For a European Social Citizenship
Malaga, Spain, 7 – 9 May 2010
The “European Civic Days 2010” meeting is one of the activities set by the Spanish Government for the current Spanish presidency of the European Union. In this framework, the city of Malaga has seen almost 700 people from all corners of the European Union gather with one main goal: to bring the process for the construction of the European Union closer to the citizens.
ASDE - the Federación des Asociaciones de Scouts de España - a Spanish NSA, was one of the 13 Spanish organisations and social platforms who organised the event in the framework of the current term of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. The programme was built around the following themes: the impetus from an actively participating European social citizenship; the back up from the work of the NGOs as an element of integration and social cohesion; and the encouragement of the active participation of these groups for defining, carrying out and assessing public policies within the framework of the Union.
With the support of the European Commission, the Spanish Government and various regional and local authorities, and on the basis of common values, the three-day meeting of “European Civic Days 2010” became a place for reflection, exchange of ideas and putting forward proposals. An in-depth analysis of issues reflecting and promoting active participatory citizenship helped to encourage civil dialogue from local level to European level.
During the meeting, and coinciding with the celebration of Europe Day, representatives of more than 500 NGOs from 36 countries called for the rapid approval of a regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative: "the most powerful tool the Treaty of Lisbon provides for civil society to participate in the political agenda".
This event can be considered a good example for how NSOS and NSAs can contribute to and be part of the development of the civil society in Europe.
Design Your Law! Take Part in KISC’s First Ever Contest for Creativity in Scouting!
As a Centre of World Scouting, the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) likes to share and fulfill the values and ideas of the Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell.
As a way to refresh these believes we would like to invite Scouts and Guides from all over the world to take part in a creative contest.
Groups or individuals are invited to create a piece of artwork or concept, which represents one of the points of the Scout Law.
If you would like to demonstrate and share your creative skills do not miss this opportunity and join the contest. Send in your visual interpretation of one of the points of the Scout Law!
“Design Your Law” is open to Scouts and Guides from all over the world, with no age or creative limitations. For further information on eligibility, categories, rules and prizes please check www.kisc.ch/events/design-your-law-creative-contest/
Kandersteg International Scout Centre Recruits Long-Term Staff
KISC is currently recruiting long-term staff. If you want to join an enthusiastic international team and gain an experience for your life, then this is your chance: the centre is looking for staff to complete its Programme and Guest Services teams.
More information about job opportunities, including inside stories from current and previous KISC staff (the famous “pinkies”), is available in the staff section of www.kisc.ch.
KISC at European Scout Conference
The history of the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), situated in the heart of the Alps in Switzerland and one of WOSM’s World Scout Centres, began in 1923 when the Founder of the Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell had a dream of creating a permanent Mini-Jamboree, where Scouts from around the world could meet. Today, 12’000 young people visit KISC each year and live a true international Scouting experience.
You can learn more about KISC by visiting a special exhibit organised on the occasion of the 13th European Guide and Scout Conference in Brussels this summer. The traditional reception for KISC members, conference delegates and guests will take place on 20 July 2010.
Sea Scout Leaders to Meet in the Czech Republic
Plzen, Czech Republic, 1 – 5 September 2010
“Eurosea 10” - the 10th edition of the European Sea Scout Seminar will be organised this autumn in Plzen, in the Czech Republic.
Sea Scout leaders from all over Europe are expected to participate in this very important meeting, which aims at developping the international dimension within Sea Scouting, at promoting safe practices. Participants will aslo share best practices and ideas in the development of Sea Scouting.
You can find out more details about Eurosea 10 on the event’s website at www.krjplzen.cz/eurosea10, where you can also download the official invitation letter and the application form.
Reminders and Deadlines
13th European Guide and Scout Conference
20th European Scout Conference
13th European Guide Conference
Brussels, Belgium, 17 – 21 July 2010
And don’t forget to register your delegation and book your accommodation: www.europeanconference.be
International Evening and Exhibition Booth at 13th European Guide and Scout Conference
Brussels, Belgium, 17 – 21 July 2010
Deadline for registration: 30 May 2010 – in...@europeanconference.be
European Scout Region – Triennium 2007-2010
Online Evaluation
Deadline: 11 June 2010 - http://symposium.scouthub.org/evaluation2007-10en
Europe Market at 13th European Guide and Scout Conference
Brussels, Belgium, 19 July 2010
Deadline for registration: 25 June 2010 – in...@europeanconference.be
Useful Information
www.scout.org/europe
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