Euro.Scout.InfoIntroduction

20th European Scout Conference Adopts New Regional Plan and Elects European Scout CommitteeBrussels, Belgium, 17 - 21 July 2010

More than 280 delegates, observers and guests representing 40 of the 41 National Scout Organisations (NSOs) and Accredited National Scout Organisations in Europe recently came together for the 20th European Scout Conference and the concurrently held 13th European Guide and Scout Conference.Five busy working days were marked by information exchange, sharing of best practices and innovative experiences. Delegates to the Conference, which is organised every three years, received with appreciation reports of the European Scout Committee, which reflected activities organised and progress made during the previous three years. The Regional Treasurer presented the Conference with an overview of the Region’s financial situation and the impact of the recent global economic crisis.Outgoing Committee members Craig Turpie (TSA, UK) and Henrik Söderman (SP-FS, FI) were re-elected; they were joined by Andrea Demarmels (MSdS, CH), Christos Hatzidiamandis (SHP, GR), Christian Loste Ramos (FEE, ES)

and Petr ‘Permi’ Vanek (JUNAK, CZ). At its first meeting, the new European Scout Committee elected Craig and Henrik as Chairman and Vice-Chairman.The conference also discussed and approved the new Regional Scout Plan, which will guide the development of the Region’s work during the coming three years. The operational framework for this Plan is currently being developed by the newly elected European Scout Committee and will be presented to the Region later during the year. Reports of the Conferences have been circulated to all NSO across Europe and will shortly be available on the Region’s web site at www.scout.org/Europe.(Photo © European Scout Region 2010)

Areas of Work

Educational Methods

Training Commissioners and Leader Trainers Discuss Future Challenges in their Area of WorkGuadarrama, Spain, 17 – 19 September 2010Fifty participants from all across Europe recently gathered in Spain for a very intensive and active weekend. The purpose of this second Training Commissioners Network Meeting was to provide a suitable framework for further exchange on new trends and for development of new and innovative ideas in the area of training as well as cooperation.When the network had met in Poland three years earlier it had been decided to have such possibilities of exchange and sharing on a more regular basis and this time, 22 NSOs and NSA from 19 countries responded by sending trainings commissioners and others working in this area to Spain.The format of the meeting had been changed a little – moving away from an event fully prepared in advance to allow contributions and be more responsive to feedback from participants.The list of themes discussed is quite long and reflects the high interest of NSO in sharing knowledge and experiences in this area: Scouting as a learning environment for adults; life long learning; learning pathways; new training methods; recognition of training in Scouting; validation of training; the Training System Toolkit; training of trainers; Wood Badge training; needs related to (youth) leader training; European tools and funding opportunities.Encouraged by enriching exchange and debate the participants decided to have similar meetings on an annual basis and a small team of volunteers agreed under their own initiative to start planning a 2011 Network Meeting.The European Region is grateful for support received from the European Union through its Youth in Action Programme. Thanks also go to ASDE- Scouts de España for having hosted the meeting.Further information about this event and the Training Commissioners’ Network of the European Scout Region is available on the event website at www.eurotrain.scouthub.org(Photo © European Scout Region 2010)

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010 1 of 5

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010

Lands of Adventure Camp 2010Perdikovrissi Scout Camp Centre, Parnassos Mountains, Greece, 8 – 13 August 2010

The famous Parnassos Mountains in Greece - the same region where Muse, Parnassos and Orpheus had lived – was the setting for the second Lands of Adventure (LoA) Camp this summer. 65 Scouts from six different countries – Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Czech Republic, accompanied by 24 leaders and six volunteers came together and had the opportunity for a lifetime experience. Marion, one of the organizing volunteers, recalls: “Zeus and Europe travelled with us from country to country and trough ancient Greek history and mythology, joined us at Olympic Games and accompanied us on a one-day excursion to Delphi. The LoA Camp participants had the opportunity to express themselves, make new friends, taste traditional delicacies, play traditional games, learn about other countries, their

cultures and ways of Scouting and, last but not least ... have fun!”After five memorable days under the sunny skies of Greece, the participants left their Camp having made a promise: a promise that all would do their best to spread the message of the Lands of Adventure programme and to encourage more patrols, more Scouts and more leaders to experience this unique Camp: the third Lands of Adventure Camp, to be held somewhere in Europe in not too distant future.For more details about the Lands of Adventure Programme of the European Scout Region, please consult information available on www.camp.landsofadventure.eu/.(Photos © European Scout Region / LoA 2010)

Development and Support

World Scout Committee visits Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey (TIF)Istanbul, Turkey, 12 September 2010

Mario Diaz Martinez, Oscar Palmquist and Luc Panissod recently paid a brief visit to the Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey on their way back from Georgia, where they had attended the 4th Eurasian Scout Conference.

Although the visit was short, it allowed the World Scout Committee to be updated on the most recent developments in Scouting in Turkey. They enjoyed famous Turkish hospitality, visiting several sites in Istanbul. After Mario and Luc had to depart, Oscar remained and visited the Training Centre in Istanbul where he met Hasan, Chief Scout. This is where Oscar takes up the story:

“After having left Mario at the airport, I was taken to lunch – just me, Barak and Zafir, and later to the Bazaar. At a quarter to five in the afternoon we arrived at the Camp Training Centre, where I met Hasan who was busy manoeuvring a huge Caterpillar around the camping grounds. He was preparing the area for another group of about 1 500 Scouts who were expected to spend their summer camp at the Centre. The centre apparently caters for such groups during eight weeks each summer, with strong support from local government. I was greeted warmly and invited to join Hasan in a Jeep to tour the campsite. It was very adventurous, indeed, I must admit: a wild ride off road through 3 square kilometres of forest and open land on trails. Back after two hours at the Centre, we had a nice conversation and I learned a lot about Turkish Scouting and Hasan shared his estimates for further growth in the

association. He expected some 20% of the ‘School Scouts’ to eventually join his organisation. Later in the evening I was invited to dinner and received a number of presents, which included flags of Turkey and the Turkish NSO.”(Photos © Oscar Palmquist 2010 and © www.tif.org.tr 2010)

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010 2 of 5

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010

Relationships and Funding

Youth on the Move – A European Union Action for Young PeopleFive million young Europeans are looking for a job. Many of them will miss opportunities because they lack the right qualifications or experience. This is why, on 15 September 2010, the European Commission launched Youth on the Move, a new flagship initiative aimed at helping young people to gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to make their first job a reality. As part of the EU’s new Europe 2020 strategy, Youth on the Move proposes 28 key actions aimed at making education and training more relevant to young people's needs and encouraging more of them to take advantage of EU grants to study or train in another country. This is

likely to increase young people's employability and access to the labour market.According to Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multiculturalism and Youth, the measures are aimed at raising the quality of education and training in Europe so that young people are properly equipped for today's job market. The EU wants to reduce the number of early school leavers and increase the share of young people in tertiary education so that they reach their full potential. There is a need for even more young people who are highly skilled, knowledgeable and innovative if they and the Union are to prosper in the future.Commenting on the initiative, Alix Masson, the European Scout Region’s director for External Relations and Funding, said: “As an organisation committed to educating young people to develop their full potential, the Scout Movement cannot avoid also getting engaged in promoting such actions that can really strengthen the support to Europe's young people. On the other hand, we need to be constantly aware of the important contribution that Scouting offers to young people in terms of transfer of life skills as well as soft skills. This empowers our young members to better confront different aspects of their daily lives and, of course, in the job market. We all know very well that Scouting and volunteering within Scouting provide a great and useful experience for young people who face unemployment or who are not yet in the job market”.

The European Regional Office warmly invites you to have a look on the EU initiative’s webpage at www.europa.eu/youthonthemove/ and to actively promote this initiative to the benefit of all young members in NSOs and NSAs across Europe.(Logo: © www.europa.eu/youthonthemove/ 2010)

European Year of Volunteering 2011: Let’s Get Active!

2011, the European Year of Volunteering is just around the corner! Tools and meetings are starting to get ready, so it’s time for all of us to contribute and make this year ours!

The website of the EYV Alliance has been launched and all the features will soon be active. You will be able to:

Subscribe to the newsletter of the EYV Alliance and be tuned Have access to relevant information Get the logo to brand your activities Register your activities Send “extraordinary stories from ordinary people” Contribute to the year

The new Regional Plan puts a great emphasise on volunteering and during 2011 this area will be a priority in order to make sure that our volunteers, as well as our way of volunteering, are well understood and recognised.

The European Scout Region and the Europe Region WAGGGS are currently preparing a joint web site dedicated to this theme, which will allow all of us to be able to contribute! If you have any questions, you can contact Alix at amasson@scout.org. (Logo: © www.eyv2011.eu 2010)

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010 3 of 5

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010

Life of the MovementWorld

Scouts Around the World Join “Clean Up the World 2010” CampaignIn many countries across the world, 17 – 19 September 2010

Thousands of Scouts and Guides across the globe have manifested their environmental consciousness when cleaning up their local neighbourhood, parks, waterways and forests in the framework of this year’s “Clean Up the World” weekend on 17 – 19 September 2010.In line with the campaign’s main theme, participants have been focussing on conserving nature. Ian Kiernan, Chairman and Founder of “Clean Up the World” stressed that protecting the environment was something the campaign has been advocating since its beginning some 18 years ago. The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is a partner and ally of “Clean Up the World” and actively encourages local groups around the world to participate in the annual campaign by running clean up activities and thus showing the Scout Movement’s commitment to positively influencing their local community and environment.(Photo © Clean Up the World 2010; www.activities.cleanuptheworld.org)

European Region

Camping Under Trees: Routine at “Kilke 2010” – the Finnish Jubilee JamboreeEvo Camp Site, Finland, 22 - 27 July 2010“Never pitch your tents under trees” is one of many rules for Scouts and Guides from the United Kingdom and other countries, judging it was to dangerous to be exposed to likelihoods of lightening, falling trees and branches.So, many participants were rather surprised when they realised that they were going to spend their camp in the middle of a large forest in Finland. This is a common routine for their Finnish colleagues who did not even think of having to specify this fact in the camp information.Not just those who are more used to open field campsites left “Kilke 2010”, the Finnish Jubilee Jamboree, after six memorable days. Record high temperatures contributed to the success of a range of wood and water activities.David McKee, Director of the European Regional Office, who visited the camp, was impressed by organisational and logistical arrangements, which had been put in place by the Finnish Scouts and Guides. He was looking forward to returning to Evo in 2012, when the campsite would host “Roverway 2012”, the triennial European event for Scouts and Guides of the fourth age section.By the way: no accidents recorded due to fallen trees or branches!(Photo © Suomen Partiolaiset – Finlands Scouter 2010; www.kilke.fi)

Local Groups in Austria Recruit New Members Following Successful Jubilee JamboreeSchlosspark Laxenburg, Austria, 2 – 12 August 2010

Scout groups across Austria have recently started the new season. Following a very successful “Austrian Jubilee Jamboree” this past summer and the media coverage, hundreds of young girls and boys have expresses their interest in joining. Close to 8’000 Scouts and Guides from all five continents had spent 10 memorable days in the romantic grounds of the park of the former imperial castle in Laxenburg south of Vienna. Several members of Government and the President of Austria paid visits and discovered how Scouts and Guides from around the world experience international friendship and nature.In relation to their Jubilee Jamboree, the environmental engagement of the Austrian Scouts and Guides had been recognised by the Government of Austria when it presented the camp organisers with the “klima:aktiv Umweltpreis 2010” for the mobility concept developed for the camp. (photo © Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs 2010; www.ppoe.at)

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010 4 of 5

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010

Management of the RegionEuropean Regional Office

“I am prepared” – says NicolasHaving spent six months as an intern with the Brussels Office of the European Regional Office of the World Scout Bureau, we asked Nicolas to share his impressions. Here is what he told us:“As a European student with a master degree obtained at the University of Nancy, I opted to do my final internship at the WOSM office in Brussels. My six months time in the Brussels Office was essential for the development of my future career. I had never been a Scout myself and therefore, when joining the office six months ago, I had very few ideas on the contributions and actions of Scouting in civil society. I have discovered an environment dedicated to a mission of education, growth and development of young people.This experience has influenced my perception as an individual and as a member of a community and society. The internship allowed me to live a precious human experience and helped me to reflect on my future professional career, as well as on the responsibilities and projects I would like to engage in.

I appreciated the support and the training received from staff at the European Regional Office. My colleagues have shown solidarity and cohesion in contributing to the further development of my skills and know-how. The internship programme covered all aspects from theoretical to realistic. Moreover, I learned a lot on a general and personal level on new topics and in particular on Scouting. The time spent at the Brussels Office has allowed me to better understand my aspirations for my future. Thanks to the experiences lived and gained I think I can best summarise these months like this: I am prepared!”.(Photo © Tim Watson 2010)

Reminders and Deadlines

Academy 2010Athens, Greece, 26 – 31 October 2010Detailed information on www.academy.scouthub.org

European Regional Communication ForumAthens, Greece, 27 – 30 October 2010Detailed information on www.scout.org & www.academy.scouthub.org

Seminar for New Members of National BoardsIstanbul, Turkey, 24 – 28 November 2010For detailed information, please contact Paola at the Europe Office WAGGGS

39th World Scout Conference & 11th World Scout Youth ForumCuritiba, Brazil, 10 – 14 January 2011 & Blumenau, Brazil, 3 – 6 January 2011Detailed information on www.scout.org & www.wsc2011.org

Useful Information

www.scout.org/europe www.europak-online.net

Stay in contact

World Scout BureauEuropean Regional Office

SwitzerlandP.O. Box 327Rue Henri Christiné 5CH-1211 Geneva 4Switzerland

Tel: (+41 22) 705 11 00FAX: (+41 22) 705 11 09Email: europe@scout.org

BelgiumAvenue de la Porte de Hal 38BE 1060 Brussels

Tel: (+32 2) 534 33 15FAX: (+32 2) 534 16 54Email: europe@scout.org

Euro.Scout.Info | Issue 82 | September 2010 5 of 5