Bangkok, April 2024: Scout Leaders from 27 National Scout Organizations in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) unite to call on strengthening mechanisms towards Scouting in Asia-Pacific Region including wellness and safety of children, young people, and adults in every Scouting activity through Safe-from-Harm (SfH) initiatives during the recent Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Bangkok Thailand.
“…We want to continue to innovate our educational offering, strengthen diversity and inclusion, guarantee safeguarding and well-being, and value volunteers,” said World Scout Committee Chairman Andy Chapman during the opening ceremony of the Summit.
As an organisation committed to foster youth development through non-formal education, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) prioritises the safety and well-being of Scouts at all times by supporting NSOs to strengthen child and youth protection policies and promoting safeguarding at the local level through the SfH scheme.
Some of the key recommendations made during the Summit revolve around reinforcing SfH Policy in Scouting events including establishing reporting procedures and providing Listening Ears services in every regional event—high-level conferences, capacity building workshops both for youth and adults, or regional meetings—as well as endorsing the Code of Conduct for Organising Youth Events for approval and further action of the Regional Scout Committee.
“The SfH team, continues to strengthen SfH mechanisms through providing technical guidance to NSOs, continuous promotion and monitoring of SfH online assessment compliance, and establishing Listening Ears protocolS,”- said Corvera during the closing ceremony of the Summit. ***
Photo Credits:
Varis Sasanasopa, National Scout Organization of Thailand
Watsawat Koktabtim, National Scout Organization of Thailand