Japan to host 23rd World Scout Jamboree in 2015

Japan has just won the bid to host the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in 2015. Announced in the Plenary Hall at ICC Jeju on Jeju Island during the 38th World Scout Conference, Japan was ecstatic to hear the results with the Chairman of the bidding committee, Mr. Osamu Hirose saying: We are very happy and we are sure that the Jamboree will be a very good opportunity to educate young people, and also a very good chance to show how Scouts around the world are creating a better world.

The Jamboree will be located on Kirarahama or Kirara Beach in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Japanese word “kirara” means mica: Kirara Beach offers a beautiful landscape in front of which the Seto Inland Sea glitters in the sunlight just like mica.

(WOSM)

Yamaguchi Japan (Official candidate website)

Tornado Hits BSA Scout Camp

Four Scouts died and 48 others wounded as a BSA camp was hit by a tornado last Wednesday. At 6:53 pm local time, the EF3 tornado struck the Little Sioux Scout Ranch during a Pahuk Pride National Youth Leadership Training Program (NYLT). The tornado was one of 28 reported late Wednesday moving across eastern Kansas and into Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. Scouts attending the week long Pahuk Pride event at the camp were from eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

The National Weather Service office in Valley, Nebraska, said they issued a tornado warning 12 minutes before the tornado hit the camp. A tornado siren went off in the camp, but the Scouts had already taken shelter. According to a camp counselor, most injuries and fatalities happened after a small cabin where the Scouts were taking shelter was hit by the tornado. Many of the injuries is reported to have happened after a brick fireplace in the cabin was ripped by the tornado during the incident.

The ones who were killed in the incident are Josh Fennen, 13; Sam Thomsen, 13; Ben Petrzilka, 14; and Aaron Eilerts, 14.

We are deeply saddened by the horrific impact of the devastating storms that tore through western Iowa yesterday. To the families of those who were affected, we extend our deepest sympathies and concern. To the leaders, Scouts, and emergency personnel who responded so quickly and effectively, we extend our sincerest gratitude. – (BSA)

2011, European Year of Volunteering

 

On Wednesday 9th 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 Parliament to propose 2011 be designated the European Year of Volunteering. If it is adopted it will make a significant contribution to the campaign to have the year designated.

(WOSM)

Read the rest.

UN World Youth Report launched in Geneva

 

Geneva, 3 April 2008 – Youth are a powerful resource for development and are critical actors in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. This was one of the key messages of the World Youth Report 2007, which was presented in Geneva on 3 April 2008 at an event hosted by the CONGO Committee of Youth NGOs which is currently chaired by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The event was also attended by representatives of international youth organizations and UN agencies.

“There has never been a generation that was more likely to volunteer and be involved in community causes than this one,” declared Ms. Patience W. Stephens, the Team Leader and Focal Point for the United Nations Programme on Youth, as she presented the United Nations World Youth Report 2007. Unfortunately, volunteering is still a luxury that most young people cannot afford in the world, due to socio-economic difficulties. Volunteering is a window of opportunity for young people to be sensitized to worldwide issues, to become pro-active in them and to set foot in the job market, so it should be further encouraged amongst all layers of the world’s population, through financial support for example.

(WOSM)

Read the rest.

Conflict in PPM

A not so recent article from Bernama concerning Chief Scout Datuk Seri Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh. It was posted on one of the discussion pages of a Scout group on Friendster.

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Mac (Bernama) — Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia hari ini mendesak bekas menteri pengajian tinggi Datuk Seri Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh meletakkan jawatan sebagai Ketua Pengakap Negara berikutan satu resolusi undi tidak percaya yang diluluskan terhadap beliau.

Ketua Pesuruhjaya Pengakap Negara Kolonel Profesor Datuk Dr Kamarudin Kachar berkata resolusi undi tidak percaya itu diluluskan pada 3 Feb lepas.

“Tindak tanduk beliau (Shafie) menyebabkan 90 peratus Pesuruhjaya Pengakap Negeri mengeluarkan satu resolusi undi tidak percaya terhadapnya. Saya rasa beliau tidak perlu jadi Ketua Pengakap Negara lagi dan elok kalau meletakkan jawatan dengan cara terhormat dan sukarela,” kata Dr Kamarudin kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.

Read the rest on Bernama.