A message from Rob Abson of Australia . . . .

From: RoverRoddles1 (Original Message)
Sent: 3/19/2006 3:56 PM

G’day APR Rovers,

I hope this message finds you all well. I’ve been thinking for a little while now, probably since before the World Scout Conference that we seem to have a bit of a void when it comes to the Rover Program in the Asia Pacific Region. We have virtually no opportunity for Rovers and young Leaders across the APR to come together for an International Rover Event. About the closest we have is the Asia Pacific Region Youth Forum, held every three years for a few days, or other country to country events such as the New Zealand and Australian Moots that each other frequent or joint projects such as the CJK Project [China (Taiwan), Japan, Korea Project] where these collection of countries undertake a service project in a neighbouring county in need.

I believe there is scope for an APR Rover Event, perhaps taking a similar format to the successful Roverway of Europe (see: http://www.roverway.it/inglese.htm) or another format suited to the needs of Rovers within the Asia Pacific Region. As you would be aware, there is great inconsistencies in the Rover Program within the APR, from countries with strong Rover Program established over many years, to countries with no Rover Section, or trying to kick start their senior section. I think there is great opportunity for Rovers to learn from each other, make connections between the Asia and Pacific territories of the Region and potentially undertake a meaningful project, linked in to the Scouts of the World Programme. I have discussed this with several other young people from the Region and they really like the idea, but I am very keen to hear what you feel as Rovers from across the Asia Pacific Region?

I have discussed this concept with Rasheed and Syd at the WOSM APR Regional Office and they both think the idea has a lot of merit and should be explored further. This was also the thoughts of people working at the World Scout Bureau and Edward Cook, Chairman of the APR Young Adult Member Group. They have suggested I put this to discussions within the APR Rovernet.

I see there are several events coming up which could consider this proposal and discuss it further:

* Rover Workshop, Maldives, 2006: With many countries of the APR in attendance to look at how Rovering runs within the Region and working on Renewing the Rover Program, these are a very good group to consider the proposal. Time has been allocated in the program to discuss this proposal.
* APR Youth Forum, Japan, 2007: With the program I understand to still be under development, there could be scope for part of the program to be devoted to looking at this proposal and the types of things the representatives at the Youth Forum would consider to be of value and appropriate.
* APR Scout Conference, Japan, 2007: Endorsement of the APR Rover Event and support of APR Scout Conference.
* World Youth Forum, Korea, 2008: Potential for gathering further ideas or feedback from participants in attendance as well as further promotions.

Looking at that sort of a timeframe, 2010 would be a good time to run such an activity, allowing time for planning, resource gathering and promotion of the event. It also does not clash with the Regional Jamboree and Regional Conference events planned for 2009.

The Young Adult Member Group elected at the APR Youth Forum could potentially form part of the Planning Committee for this event. There could be scope for an internship Project Officer at the APR Office of the World Bureau to support coordination of the event as well?

I would be interested to know your thoughts on this idea and to discuss this further throught the APR RoverNet.

Thank you,

Yours in Scouting,

Rod Abson
Youth Advisor, World Scout Committee