8 March 2017, Arusha - Tanzania: Scouts from different countries in and out of Africa are streaming into Arusha for this year’s Africa Scout Day celebrations. The event which takes place at the Magereza Grounds in Kisongo will feature a 3-days International Scout Youth Camp and culminate with the main celebrations to be held on 11 March at the Arusha International Conference Centre. Over 1000 Scouts are expected.
The Africa Scout Day, celebrated on the 13th March, was created by the African Union in 1995 in recognition of the role the Movement continues to play in the education of young people, training of adults and the development of the continent. Every year, on the weekend closest to this date - Scouts and Scouters all over the region gather to take stock and celebrate the achievements of Scouting and build partnerships for more social impact in Africa.
Countries Present
So far Scouts and Leaders have arrived from the following African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. We also have participants from Belgium, Korea and Poland. More participants are still expected.
Special Guests
The leadership of Scouting at Africa and world levels are also in Tanzania. The members of the Africa Scout Committee led by its Chairman, Dr. Wayne Adrian Davis; the staff of the World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre led by the Regional Director, Frederic Tutu Kama-Kama have also arrived. The Chairperson of the World Scout Committee, Joao Armando and his Vice Chairperson, Jemima Nartey and members of the Africa Scout Foundation Board led by its Chairperson Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi are expected as well.
High ranking officials in the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania including the Prime Minister, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa and the Minister for Education Science and Technology Prof. Joyce Ndalichako are also expected to grace the event on different occasions.
Programme of Activities
Among the activities that will be taking place during the International Scout Youth Camp include: exhibition of World Scouting’s educational programmes under the “Better World Framework”; peace dialogue workshop; national Messengers of Peace programme workshop for Tanzania Scouts Association; communications and public relations workshop on telling Scout stories, blood donation; tree planting and Tanzania Scout Associations national workshop on the Constitution and Policy, Organization and Rules. Different organizations and government agencies that are partners with Tanzania Scouts Association have also been invited to exhibit and conduct short workshops with the participants on the work they do.
Special Events
Other special events taking place in the framework of the Africa Scout Day celebrations are a meeting of the Africa Scout Committee on 9-10 March and a meeting of the Africa Scout Foundation board on 10 March 2017 at Arusha Crown Hotel. The Foundation will also run a membership recruitment drive for Scouts, Scouters, National scout Organizations and Friends of Scouting who wish to join and support its cause of ensuring a sustainable future for Scouting in Africa through accumulation and investment of capital funds.
“We are very grateful to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the immense support given to Tanzania Scouts Association to enable it host this event. It is a good gesture that shows the trust, recognition and expectations the government has of Scouting in the country. We commend it and encourage deeper collaboration,” said Jonathan Omondi, Youth Programme Manager at World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre while inspecting the camping site for the event.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Science & Technology in the Government of Tanzania said that, “the government commends the role Scouting plays in the education of young people and is ready to support programmes that help to create better citizens.” He added that going forward Scouting will be considered as a “must-have” component in the quality assurance assessment of schools in Tanzania.
Bishop Gervas Nyaisonga, who is the Camp Chief for the International Scout Youth Camp also took time to welcome all participants, their leaders and other guests form around the world and wished them a happy and fruitful stay in Tanzania.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni