Cultures and Talents on Display
Day 6 of the #AfricaRoverMoot2023 was dedicated to cultural exchange. It began with the Moot Marathon, followed by the Friendship Challenge then the Food Festival and crowned with the International Night that saw Yohannes from Ethiopia and Gloria from Kenya crowned Mr. & Miss Moot respectively.
The Food Festival truly embodied the diverse cultures across contingents attending the Moot. It enabled participants to go round and meet each contingent to sample some of their meals. It also gav all them a chance to experience diversity and learn about different cultures.
The International Night took place participation of rovers from all national contingents, where dance and music motivated the participants to another great moment of Scout's celebration.
Different contingents had a chance to present their cultural songs and dances before the hunting for Mr and Miss Moot officially started. Both male and female contestants presented their talents before the judges and the entire team. The competition was stiff but all the parties did their best. Creativity and Scouting talents were among the things that the judges looked into in the contestants.
Ian, a Scout From Uganda did his best and got The 2nd Runner Up, Abel, from Cote d’Ivore took the 1st Runners Up, while Yohannes from Ethiopia was crowned Mr. Rover Moot 2023.
In the females category, Sharon, from Kenya took the 2nd Runners Up, Bafua from Ethiopia took the 1st Runners Up position and Gloria from Kenya was crowned Miss African Rover Moot 2023.
The crowned contestants were awarded for being the most creative. Gloria thanked the people who dressed her, and she was humbled to have been given the chance to showcase her talent. Yohannes was overjoyed and thanked Kenya for the chance.
Badges Bridging the Moot
Chris Ball (a district Scout leader from the United Kingdom) and Cordula Bartels (Germany) never met before until the Africa Moot at Rowallan National Scout Camp. At every international event Scouts exchange items with each other. This can be anything, from badges, Scout pins and scarfs to complete uniforms etc, so long as they have a second uniform to go home in!
Scouts call it ‘Swapping’ and it provides great individual memories, knowledge of other peoples Scouting traditions and can lead to impressive scout collections. Swapping should happen in a safe and honest envoirnment and following the Scout Promise. Meaning, Scouts with Scouts, adults with adults. A badge for a badge, a scarf for a scarf etc. Chris and Cordula have swapped in this way and encouraged other Moot participants to do the same way too. Chris likes swapping and tells us “sitting down, swapping and talking about badges is a great way to learn about other cultures and in some cases making new friends for life”.
In some countries, like in Germany, there are Scout Collectors Clubs. Germany is organizing the 41st meeting of the World Scout and Guide Collectors Meeting (WSGCM) in June 2023. Scout collectors from all over the world will come to Germany for 3 days and bring all kind of Scout items to swap. The WSGCM is ussually a great experience. For more information the WSGCM page on Facebook.
Moot Voices
We asked some people about Baden-Powell’s last messages?and what it means to them.
Stephanie Briggs (New Zealand)
“I don’t know exactly his message, but always has to be prepared. It means you leave the the place you’ve been to in a tidier condition than how you found it. In our Scout group we clean the camps and the all rubbish. We’re aware of our environmental impact.”
Yared Hailu (Ethiopia)
“It means we have to make a footprint in every place or moment to make it better physically and emotionally compared to what it has been before. I take these words as a challenge and am trying my very best to every place better. Use your past to teach to yourself and others, live the present in an interactive way as much as you can, hope your future will be more mysterious.”
Mihai Borsu (Romania)
“Understanding and accepting yourself, sharing your experiences with the world, breaking the cultural barriers. I will be prepared to act in my community when and where is needed and try to continue what I do and create a better world.”
Ratafika Faly and Rakotomalala Njiva (Madagascar)
“We try to continue what Baden-Powell did. It’s not finished and perfect. 5; Try to continue what I do and create better world.”
Florence Joackim Assenga (Madagascar);
To make the world better as it was before. We put Baden-Powell’s last message in practice so many ways just like helping the young people to do their duties by helping others, considering duty to God, duty to yourself and duty others. Practically planting trees, helping the olders by visiting them in elderly people’s centres to ensure that will help each other without to forgetting poor and disabled people.
Thomas Hirt (Switzerland)
Yes, I do. I know the all four Baden-Powell’s last messages: to boy Scouts, to Girl Guides, to leaders and rovers and to general public. They contain messages that are still very relevant today. I’m trying to live by the Scout promise and the Scout law just like Baden-Powell asked us to do. I think leave the world little better than how I found it.”
Peter Corbasson (Canada)
“There is different ways to derive happiness, but the most meaningful way is connecting with others and the world around you. There are many ways to this like sharing cultures with Scouts from other backgrounds, bettering yourself with practical skills, and volunteering in the community to make a difference. Elements that are important to me include becoming a more well-rounded person through the above ways and leaving the world a better place.
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Here's how things went down on the fifth day: https://youtu.be/dyHhWs4Y_cs