Australia hosts second Asia-Pacific Forum on programme and training

The Woodhouse Scout Centre in Adelaide gathered representatives from 11 National Scout Organizations including Bangladesh, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka with the special participation of Timor Leste, for the second regional forum on Programme and Training Commissioners.

This National Programme and Training Commissioner's Forum is the second of a series which started in July 2009 in Siem Riep, Cambodia. Strengthening the synergy between Programme and Training arose from the 2005 World Scout Conference resolution calling the World Scout Committee and the regions to focus on this vital aspect of supporting adults in Scouting.

Including Australia, a total of 30 participants attended the forum directed by Paul Parkinson as Forum Director. Among the resource people were sub-committee members from APR Programme and Adult Support: Rajalingam Ramasamy, Mesbah Uddin Bhiya, Shantha Madurawe and Dale Colvera. The Forum aims to gather national programme and training commissioners to discuss and share policies, and promising practices. Global perspectives are also shared in terms of “education for life” and “education for leadership” and a big focus on educational methods and e-learning.

The Forum began on 30th August with a welcome dinner, peppered with local entertainment, including learning few Australian words. Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Reg Williams welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the Forum for sharing and learning. Among the resource people are World Scout Committee member Joao Amando who expressed his appreciation for being part of the Forum and to learn more about the region. Meanwhile, Regional Director Abdullah Rasheed, thanked Scouts Australia for hosting the event and for its close collaboration with the region, particularly in supporting the development of Scouting in Timor Leste.

The Raymill Conference centre boasts of very Scout like facilities, with a park at the middle, many creeks and historic buildings. Participants had an hour morning walk at the park to enjoy the creeks and the beautiful campsite. Muslim participants took part in the special Eid prayer marking the end of the fasting month. At the Forum, participants will have campfires and the chance to meet local Scouts and leaders to get a feel of real Australian Scouting.

 

 

Resource:

http://www.scout.org/around_the_world/asia_pacific/information_events/news/australia_hosts_second_asia_pacific_forum_on_programme_and_training