Over a 1000 Scouts welcome B-P Fellows to Japan

The 67th Baden-Powell World Fellowship Event took place from 26th to 30th November 2013 in Kyoto, Japan. The B-P Fellowship Chapter of Japan planned the entire event under the leadership of World Scout Foundation Board member Mr. Masaya Arao to a massive success.

The Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, His Majesty the King of Sweden, Chairman Siegfried Weiser and Director John Geoghegan, make an incredible team for the Foundation in their efforts to raise significant resources to support World Scouting. They have been doing this by permanently investing capital donations from interested parties that want to help young people learn positive values and become our leaders of tomorrow.

The Foundation also seeks non-capital donations to support specific World Scouting projects, such as the Messengers of Peace program. The need has never been more urgent, and the potential rewards have never been greater, for Scouting to help instil the values that are so essential to the future of our global community.

Prior to attending the events in Kyoto, His Majesty and several B-P Fellows attended a mini B-P event (25th and 26th November) in Hong Kong, following the highly successful 1st World Scout Education Congress. The B-P Fellowship Chapter of Hong Kong raised over 700,000 USD through new B-P Fellowship members and upgrades of existing members. I want to congratulate the excellent work of our Hong Kong B-P Fellowship Chapter in ensuring this great success.

In Japan, 135 B-P Fellows and partners attended the Event. His Majesty, the King of Sweden and Her Imperial Highness The Princess Takamado of Japan added a royal touch to the activities.

The Mayor of the City of Kyoto hosted a welcome reception on 27th November. The meeting of the World Scout Foundation Board took place on the 28th November. On the 29th, His Majesty the King of Sweden also participated in a seminar on Youth Leadership, which was specially organised by Japanese Rover Scouts.

During the Fellowship Dinner on the 29th of November, the World Scout Foundation welcomed 24 new B-P Fellows, 23 new members of the Benefactor Circle, 5 new members of the International Circle and 1 new Regal Circle member, contributing to a very successful event.
The dinner was attended by 465 participants and the guest of honour was Her Imperial Highness The Princess Takamado.

During the Event, top Japanese businessman, Mr. Atushi Horiba, Chairman, President and CEO of the Horiba Group (43 companies in 22 countries) and Mr Genshitus Sen (15th Grand Master of the Tea Ceremony) came to meet the Honorary Chairman. They discussed youth leadership development in relation to business and Scouting, including how Mr. Horiba and Mr. Sen could support those efforts.

There were several cultural programs included in the event schedule – visits to the Imperial Palace, Imperial Villas, Temples, Shrines (all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site) and local market areas.

On the last day, 30th November 2013, all B-P Fellows attended a Scout Rally with over 300 Cub Scouts and 700 Scouts and Rover Scouts. That afternoon, over 130 local Scout Leaders participated in a seminar on International Scouting organized as part of the conclusion of the B-P Event. Lars Kolind (World Scout Foundation Board Member) and Scott Teare (Secretary General, WOSM) were the keynote speakers.

As the Secretary General of WOSM, it was a pleasure for me to be part of the B-P Events and the Foundation’s Board meeting in Japan. I am delighted to continue the work of strengthening the relations between WOSM and the World Scout Foundation, who remain our long-term and highly appreciated financial supporter.

Source: scout.org