September 2013
Kudumail
FOCUS ON NSOs Peace and development
Messengers of Peace Heroes Award
SENEGAL – From the 23rd – 30th August, top NSO Leaders from the West Africa zone converged at the Hotel des Almadides in Dakar, Senegal for the 9th Zonal conference where Scouting matters were discussed and way forward. Alongside the conference there were other co-events taking place. These were the Africa Scout Committee meeting and the West Africa Zonal Youth Forum.
SAUDI ARABIA – The MoP Heroes Award recognizes Scouts who have done exemplary work in promoting the Messengers of Peace initiative in their countries as well as involved in projects that help advance the cause of Scouting to create a better world. The Award ceremony took place on 23rd September 2013 at a Scout Ceremony to mark the 83rd Saudi National Day in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia. The seven heroes received their awards jointly from their Royal Highnesses Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah, Minister for Education and Chief Scout of Saudi Arabian Scouts Association and Prince Mushari Bin Mohammed, the Governor of Al Baha Region. Mr. Siegfried Weiser, World Scout Foundation Board Chairman, Mr. John Geoghegan, Director, World Scout Foundation, Mr. Peter Illig, WOSM Global Projects Coordinator among other dignitaries were also present.
The conference was graced by the Minister of Youth from Senegal who was representing the Prime Minister, the Chief Operating Officer, World Scout Bureau, Mr. Aidan Jones, Africa Scout Chairperson, Mr. Gilbert Mussumba and the members of the Africa Scout Committee, World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office, Regional Director, Mr. Frederic Kama Kama, Director Information Services, Mr. Ray Saunders, former chairperson of the World Scout Committee, Ms. Marie-Louise Correa. The following NSOs participated in the conference, Bénin, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinée-Conakry, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
Nelson Ochieng Opany is the Messengers of Peace National Coordinator in Kenya, where he also serves as the National Youth Representative and Chairperson of the Eastern Africa Zonal Scout Youth Forum.
With the theme, “The peace and development: A matter of Education”, the Minister of Youth officially opened the event by commending the Scouts for changing the lives of the less fortunate in their communities. The Executive Commissioner of Senegal Scout Association welcomed the participants and took the opportunity to thank their NSOs for their continued and great support. The acting president of the western zone, Mr. Honoré Djivo, explained the importance of the theme for the zone, the purpose of the conference and the proposed agenda.
In August this year, he was the only one from the Africa Scout Region nominated for the Messengers of Peace Heroes Award. Other nominees included Umit Savas Baran from Turkey, Guadalupe Sanmateu from Geneva, Atta Verin from Indonesia, Sophie Urbano Castillo from Phillipines, Irina Pruidze from Georgia and Jameel from Saudi Arabia. “A scout is never taken by surprise. He knows exactly what to do when something unexpected happens.” These words by Baden Powell were the inscription on the MoP Heroes trophies they received.
Ms. Marie-Louise made a vibrant testimony on the wide potential of Scouting in non-formal education. Mr. Gilbert congratulated the Senegalese Scout Leaders and called on the zonal leaders to implement an efficient Scout program for the achievement of the Scout mission. Among the activities that took place during the conference was the adoption of the 8th conference report, presentation of individual reports from NSOs, discussions and election of the 10th Zonal conference and Youth Forum host. A workshop on best practices in governance and management, youth empowerment and advocacy was held where different issues were discussed in length.
While accepting the Award he said, “When I began my work with MoP in Kenya last year the country was going through tough times of national reconciliation and healing. Together with the rest of my team of Rover Scouts at Kenya Scouts Association, we tried in our own little ways to contribute to that process through various actions across the country. I am delighted to accept this great recognition. For me it is a testimony of what it means to do something out of passion without expecting any reward for it.” The Africa Scout Region congratulates Nelson on attaining this global recognition. We believe he is an inspiration and role model to many other young people across the continent and wish him well in his future work with Scouting.
After the conference the participants joined the Senegalese Scouts in celebrating their centenary where different and diverse activities were done. Later a visit to the Prime Minister’s office was organized for the World Scout Bureau executives and heads of delegations.
International Day of Peace
BURUNDI – More than 513 Scouts from 40 groups in the Bujumbura Mairie region in collaboration with a few NGOs among them, Search for Common Ground and Network of Youth in Action for Peace, Reconciliation and Development celebrated the International Day of Peace in style. The activities begun with a march to signify peace, with 300 messages of peace have been shown to inspire and the surrounding community to make the first step, because peace is defined as a journey.
Scouts changing lives
BURUNDI - Scouts from the Imbo region in Burundi mobilized themselves during their school vacation to make house bricks for an elderly woman who’s also a former Scout. According to the Scouts, the elderly woman had played a big role in her active Scouting years by training and educating Scouts and guides and hence deserved the kind gesture.
The Scouts and young people held competitions where poems, dances, skits and games with Peace themes were presented. The best presentations were awarded with prizes and goodies to encourage them to be messengers of peace. The organizers of the event gave their final thanks and encouraged the Scouts and other young people from other organizations to work together to spread messages of peace in their communities.
The group of Scouts who are all registered Messengers of Peace, wanted to give their time and resources in helping in the manufacture of bricks to be used in building her house. More than 1500 bricks were prepared.
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© 2012 World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office