2007, the Centenary of Scouting is an unique opportunity for us to share the achievements of 100 years of Scouting and demonstrate the values and mission of Scouting today. All Scouts should be involved in the exiting initiatives planned at local, national, regional and world level. Please use this video to support the promotion of your centennial activities.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell (1857-1941) was a decorated soldier, talented artist, actor and free-thinker (by means of accepting all five major religions practice and believes in god and king).

Best known during his military career for his spirited defense of the small South African township of Mafeking during the Boer War, he was soon to be propelled to extraordinary fame as the Founder of Scouting. He was born in 22nd of February 1857. At the age of 50, on 1st of August 1907, he make the honouring history of mankind, where he took 22 boys from mixed social backgrounds, taken them for a camp in Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. To this day, he mark the first movement of scouting history and 100 years later, 2007 scouting still going strong without boundaries with 28 million of scouts in 216 countries worldwide.

22nd of February, A day to remember!

Scouting For Life!
ASM Alex Tan Wei Yen

An outcome of the communication strategy, this motivational clip outlines the importance of strengthening the social positioning of the Scout Movement at both world and national levels. This can be achieved through the active promotion of the communication themes: a social force, a culture of peace, a constructive contribution.

Friday 1st December is World AIDS Day. This annual event was created to focus global awareness on the pandemic and generate positive action to stop the spread of HIV and eradicate AIDS.

Figures released today by UNAIDS show that the number of people living with HIV is around 40 million and continues to grow, with increasing numbers of young people and women becoming infected. What's more, it is ignorance and prejudice which are fuelling the spread of this preventable disease.

The theme for this year is accountability. To end the pandemic means that promises and commitments in the fight against HIV and AIDS must be kept. That is why the World AIDS Campaign is promoting this under the broader slogan Stop AIDS - Keep the Promise.

In collaboration with various UN agencies, including UNAIDS and UNICEF, World Scouting is working to keep its promise to combat this pandemic and to further prevent its grip on the world. Creating a synergy between youth organisations and specialsed bodies in order to be better equipped to fight AIDS is a priority for the Movement which, in 2004, played an important role in the organisation and participation of the Pan-Youth Forum called "AIDS: A Matter of Education".

Today, World Scouting, on the eve of its Centenary, is running the Gifts for Peace programme whereby Scouts worldwide are managing conflict without violence, challenging prejudice and encouraging greater solidarity. HIV/AIDS is the focus of many excellent projects which are working to make a difference in their local communities. Some of these projects are:

MALAYSIA
Scouts in Malaysia are working to create awareness among young people of the dangers of HIV/AIDS, and are learning how to stay healthy as well as to understand the issues faced by those who have contracted HIV/AIDS. They are working with the Ministry of Health and have developed three new proficiency badges on HIV/AIDS awareness. The Scouts are passing on these messages to others: their parents, brothers and sisters, friends and peers, and are being encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle.

BARBADOS
Scouts of all ages are learning about HIV/AIDS and substance abuse and following a special badge programme, supported by the National HIV/AIDS Council of Barbados. The older Scouts and their leaders are helping to spread this information in their communities. The project is gaining much support from the community. Many members of the community have joined the information sessions and asked to be involved with this Gifts for Peace project. The Scouts have gained sponsorship to produce the badges and materials.

SOUTH AFRICA
Scouts in South Africa are tackling HIV/AIDS through a youth empowerment programme run through peer education. The Scouts learn about their rights, including the right to say 'no' to something that gives them a 'no' feeling. The Scouting and AIDS programme has been integrated into the youth programme and has been implemented across South Africa to 75% of youth members. In a country where 4.3 million children have died of AIDS, Scouts are changing attitudes in society as well as protecting their futures through their knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS. In addition, they are reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS working on numerous community service programmes. Click here to go to their website

World AIDS Day, 1 December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, let's “keep the promise” to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice. What will you do?

Picture on the right: A South African Scout and a little girl orphaned by AIDS play together. © South African Scout Association

This article adapted from:
http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/2007/gifts_for_peace

"GIFT FOR PEACE"
Gifts for Peace is a key programme for all Scouts to tackle local issues and make a difference in our local communities - a fitting way to celebrate our Centenary. Scouts worldwide are managing conflict without violence, challenging prejudice and encouraging greater solidarity.

The projects are being coordinated at a national level and cover a wide range of social issues including bullying; child soldiers; child labour; marginalised groups; religious intolerance; street violence and gangs; peace conflict resolution; health awareness and working in support of human rights.

Four numbered watches produced in limited series will honor the 100th Anniversary of the Scout Movement.

The presence of the World Scout emblem on each watch authenticates the series. The signature of Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, founder of the Scout Movement, is hidden somewhere on the watches.

A certificate of authenticity will be issued with each watch, signed by Alain Silberstein and a representative of the World Scout Bureau.

+=+=+= SCOUT 2007 RONDO watch +=+=+=

Limited and numbered series of 500 watches. When technology is synonymous with discretion. This watch has a mysterious something that sets it apart from other watches!

This is a watch whose multiple functions appear on the watch face according to your mood or needs. These indications remain visible both night and day.

- Quartz analogical and digital movement (ETA E20.321)
functions: perpetual calendar, second time zone, chronograph,
timer, alarm 24 h, annual alarm
- Titanium case (diameter 40mm), water resistant to 10 bar
- Sapphire crystal (with B-P's hidden signature and WOSM logo)
- Rubber strap "2007 A WORLD, A PROMISE" with safety buckle

Public Price: 3 300 €
(without V.A.T., import duties, shipping)

*About the watch designer:

Alain Silberstein's personal history has been rather unusual: this Parisian interior architect and designer by profession became a watch-architect in Besançon at the end of the 80's by creating his own watch company. Luck gave a helping hand to his passion for watches. At a time when the disappearance of mechanical watchmaking seemed almost inevitable, he joined the very restricted club of Swiss manufacturers who were behind the rebirth of the mechanical watch.

In less than 20 years, Alain Silberstein has been able to demonstrate that research, innovation and quality can enable a French brand name to take its place beside the famous Swiss watchmaking names.

Alain Silberstein is a dedicated and active Scout member. He therefore wishes to celebrate the Centenary of the Scout Movement in 2007 by creating a very unique “Scout” watch collection (a part of each sale will be dedicated to the Scouts of the World Program, a contribution by young people to make the world a better place).

Visits Alain Silberstein's watches at:
http://www.a-silberstein.fr/

Hello Scouting Friends,

Through our work with the United Nations Environment Programme we have been able to secure a very good opportunity for Scouts from every Region of the world to have direct input into the operations of UNEP!

UNEP hold a bi-annual International Youth Conference and have agreed to secure two positions for Scouts from each Region (12 Scouts in total) that can participate in the upcoming Conference in Germany in 2007. Nominations from National Scout Organizations need to reach UNEP by the 28th of February 2007.

The Nomination criteria is:
* For candidates to be considered their birthdates must fall strictly between 8 September 1984 and 8 September 1992.
* Candidates must be nominated by their organizations and must be active members.
* Only nominations from organizations working on or interested in environmental and sustainable development issues will be considered.
* Each nomination must have two candidates - one female and one male. But only one of them will be elected (Please note that applications will not be considered unless the above is fulfilled).
* All nominations must reach UNEP on or before 28 February 2007.

You will see on the application form that there is a section for people to tick a box if they are a Member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. See: http://www.unep.org/tunza/youthconference/Application_Form/

Please do promote this great opportunity through your Scouting networks and encourage your NSO to put forward a nomination so that we can ensure Scouting has a strong youth voice in the work of UNEP.

See: http://www.unep.org/tunza/youthconference/

Thank you,

Yours in Scouting,

Rod Abson

Youth Advisor, World Scout Committee

Original web forums from Asia Pacific Region Rovers Group:
APRRoversComCenter@groups.msn.com

Mailing address:

World Organization of the Scout Movement
Box 91, 1211 Geneva 4 Plainpalais, Switzerland

Telephone (+41 22) 705 1010 Telefax (+41 22) 705 1020
Email: worldbureau@world.scout.org