National Venturer Forum goes
International.
Last summer the triennial European scout and
guide conference took place in the Czech Republic.
Between the 9th and 12th of July delegations from
as far away as Tel Aviv to as far away as
Limerick gathered at a hotel just outside
picturesque Prague as part of C.S.I.'s increased
youth participation a young delegate was as part
of the three man team. So this was how I found
myself going from speaking at the national forum
in Mellarey two years ago to voting on motions
involving over 2 dozen nationalities this Summer
Many important decisions were made, increasing
funding and development. Measures are being
taking to reduce the drastic loss of numbers,
discrimination in multi-ethnic associations (which
is not far off for our own) and the negative
image of scouting in affluent countries.
Many workshops were set up, some run by us young
delegates, leading to a great interchange of
ideas (once people could understand our own
version of English) Importantly, a
programme is being introduced which will allow
scouts to use the facilities and campsites of
other associations across Europe, improving on
the current system. This should be in place
by
2004.
The
Irish member of the W.O.S.M.’s (world
organisation of scouting) Europe committee,
Therese Bermingham, was not only re-elected but
was selected chairman, which was a reflection of
her work over the last term. There was similar
success for the Irish Girl Guides nominee Diane
Dixon when she got onto the Guiding equivalent
committee. All in all a very successful time for
the Irish delegation.
On
a more sombre note the conference was taking to a
former concentration camp called
Tilsen and an emotional ceremony was held by the
Israeli delegation. It served to show the
importance of the solidarity scouting was
providing in troubled countries.
For
all those interested in the next jamboree in
Thailand an excellent presentation was given
by the hosts and it would be a great event to
attend.
Finally the next conference
will be taking place in Iceland (we tried get
Malta, so forget the sunscreen) in 2004.
So in summary the
conference illustrated clearly that at a higher
level people are working for our good and the
betterment of scouting at large. This conference
served to show just how important a role we as
young members have to play at every level to
achieve these goals.
yours in venturing
Andrew Johnston
National Venturer Forum.
July 2001
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