Asia-Pacific Region’s (APR) Social Impact Sub-Committee initiated the APR Humanitarian Action Workshop which was warmly hosted by National Scout Organization of Thailand in collaboration with the World Organization of the Scout Movement – Asia-Pacific Region last 19-22 October 2023 at Vajiravudh Scout Camp, Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.
Workshop gathered 38 participants from 12 National Scout Organisations (NSOs) from different professional backgrounds with one goal in mind: to ensure that the Region and its NSOs are supported to become responsible actors in Humanitarian Action, mitigating disasters on young people as part of the APR’s Social Impact strategic priority.
Esteemed guests from the NSOT Leadership graced the opening ceremony, with Acting Lt. Dr. Sompong Wimaro, NSOT’s Director of Youth Programme and Adult Support, Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee Consultant Atty. Wendel E. Avisado, and NSOT’s Former International Commissioner Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anatchai Rattakul. Workshop Director and Vice-Chairman of APR Social Impact Sub-Committee Settanun Ungkulpasvich welcomed the participants with the warm Thai hospitality and stressed the importance of Scouting and Humanitarian Action. AP Regional Director also addressed the participants and mentioned how vulnerable the Region is being at the Typhoon Belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, alongside today’s challenges of man-made crises, and that we must be prepared in answering our duty in situations demanding humanitarian support from Scouts.
Sessions were led by WOSM Consultants for Humanitarian Action Broderick Train from the Philippines and Ivan Tam Chiu-hung from Hong Kong. Social Impact Sub-Committee Members John Jeong Woosik from Korea, Ahmed Haneef from Maldives, and Zairin Adam bin Abdul Aziz also led other sessions covering Risk and Safety, Communications, and Workshop Outputs. A total of 11 NSOs shared their best practices as well on how they handled different disasters in their own situations.
Participants also had a chance to visit Pattaya Remand Prison which houses some prisoners turned Rover Scouts through the Ticket to Life Project within the penitentiary. The prisoners welcomed the participants with a show akin to Pattaya’s enjoyable culture through display of traditional Muay Thai and contemporary dance and show. One prisoner attested to the humanitarian culture within the prison walls and how happy they are when they get opportunities to show their talents even under lockup.
The workshop recommended to create a Regional Humanitarian Network consisting of National Humanitarian Coordinators per NSO considering our ever-changing world and the vulnerability of our Region. Being the first Regional Workshop on Humanitarian Action, the Asia-Pacific Region hopes that this workshop strengthens and builds on how Scouts can help within disaster management frameworks that answers to local contexts.
Seeking to improve your NSO’s policies, procedures, or guidelines in Humanitarian Action? Be sure to check our resources or to request for a WOSM service through https://treehouse.scout.org/services/scouting-and-humanitarian-action