| EUROFAX 94 | |
| July 2000 | |
"Eurofax is the monthly newsletter of the European Scout Region. It is produced by the European Scout Office and is distributed to all member associations in the European Region, and others. Reproduction of articles without alteration is encouraged but Eurofax should be acknowledged as the source of the information."
Sea Scouting is especially popular among adolescents and young people. It can offer a wide range of exciting outdoor activities, rich symbolism and traditions, as well as the chance to develop useful technical skills and close relationships with peers and adults through intense team work. This experience can be used to enrich youth programmes in general. In May, 21 countries, including Libya and the United States, sent a total of 48 Sea Scout representatives to EuroSea 6, held at "Perkoz" EuroStep in Poland. In addition to a market place where participants presented their Sea Scout programmes and educational materials, there were introductory sessions on European Scout programmes and the situation of Sea Scouting in Europe, presentations on Sea Scout events and case studies on innovative projects in different countries. There were very useful inputs on Sea Scouting and the Internet, adult leader training, resources for leaders, safety regulations and European legislation. Highlights included a lively international evening, an exciting sailing orienteering game and a memorable Captain's party featuring sea shanties from all over the world. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Polish Scouts and Guides (ZHP) for their perfect organisation and wonderful hospitality.
Participants recommended that EuroSea should become an on-going process of exchange to develop new concepts and resource materials to enrich Sea Scouting worldwide. It is hoped to develop the Sea Scout section of the regional web site, set up a Sea Scout mailing list and develop a resource centre of useful materials. It is also proposed to establish a network of sub-regional Sea Scout coordinators to collect and disseminate information, as well as a mentor system to help identify associations' needs and provide necessary ideas and/or support. Particular attention will be paid to supporting the development of Sea Scouting in countries where it is weak or does not yet exist. As concrete follow-up, the Region plans to work with Scouting Nederland to publish a book on water games, which can be used to enable all young people to discover the joys of water.
The European Scout Region has made a survey on Sea Scouting in Europe, showing that there are about 95,000 Sea Scouts in 28 countries, in groups ranging in size from 16 to 167. The most Sea Scouts are in the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, the United Kingdom and Sweden. The results of the survey will be included in a Euro.Scout.Doc focusing on Sea Scouting, to be published soon.
The Peace Cruise web site is up and running again: www.peacecruise.org. It tells the thrilling adventure of 96 young men and women aged 18-25 from 27 countries and 43 youth organisations, who sailed abord the magnificent 3-masted schooner "Zawisza Czarny" belonging to the Polish Scouts and Guides (ZHP). Last summer, they developed conflict prevention and resolution skills on board the ship, and carried a message of hope to 7 countries in the eastern Mediterranean. On the site you can find out about the ship and route, as well as read the Peace Sailors' Declaration, a summary of the cruise and the Peace Sailor's diary. The site will be developed further to include a forum for the Peace Sailors, evaluation questionnaires and information on follow-up actions, including the Bridges of Peace project. Bridges of Peace will bring the Peace Sailors together again in Marseilles, France, this November to evaluate the effects and impact of their experiences both on themselves and their sending organisations. It will also be an opportunity to measure how the partners (WOSM, UNESCO, European Union, Council of Europe, European and Mediterranean Youth Forums) have benefited from the consequences of the operation. This project will build on the experience of the Peace Cruise by developing a manual on training for a culture of peace as well as training tools for use in other contexts.
Many young people from all round the world are now working at sites in Europe through the European Scout Voluntary Programme. The aim of the programme is to assist young people from all over the world to develop their leadership skills and inter cultural learning. This is achieved by giving them the chance to work as a volunteer at a site in a foreign country within Europe (currently 28 sites in 10 countries). By making a commitment of at least 4 weeks and by fulfilling certain other requirements, the young people also receive some support for their travel costs from the European Scout Region.
Work is already beginning on the preparation of the programme for next year. If you are connected with a site and may be interested in having young people from all over the world helping you; if you would be interested in having a great time in another country; if you would like to know more about the programme, please contact either your national headquarters or John Moffat, Director, Kandersteg International Scout Centre, CH - 3718 Kandersteg, Switzerland Tel: +41 33 675 82 82 email: director@kandersteg.scout.org.
In 1998 the CEOs of the World's five largest youth movements (WOSM, WAGGGS, YMCA, YWCA, IFRC/RC Societies), together with the International Award Association, produced The Education of Young People. A Statement at the dawn of the 21st Century, which urged decision-makers everywhere to take seriously the need for youth policies to be developed at all levels. In 1999 a second document, Towards an autonomous, supportive, responsible and committed youth was published, as a working document on national youth policies from the point of view of the non-formal educational youth organisations. Both are available in May's ScoutPak.
A European seminar will be held in Strasbourg, France, from 22-28 October 2000, to build on these joint declarations. It will provide a forum for young people from different backgrounds to explore their understanding of youth policy and to develop relevant and different approaches on how they can influence it. It will: further understanding of what a national youth policy is and how youth organisations can contribute to its development; further understanding of how youth organisations can influence youth policy at national and international level, including the role of youth councils; contribute to young people playing an active role in civil society and in the decision-making process outside the world of youth organisations; enable young people to contribute to the development of national youth policy. Applicants should be aged 18-30; actively involved in youth policy issues within their organisation at national or regional level; interested in how they can draw on work carried out at European or World level in their organisation's work; interested in and open to co-operation on youth policy issues with other youth organisations; able to communicate well in English or French. The invitation and application form can be found in July's EuroPak.
The year 2000 issues of Euro.Scout.Doc have a new design and can now be downloaded from the European Scout Region's web site. Summaries:
The European Scout Region will run a workshop in Brussels from 8-10 September 2000 to enable associations to prepare and submit applications for co-funding from the EU Youth Programme. A reminder that this programme can be a source of co-funding for an association's international work. Youth exchange events between two or more European countries, hosting an international volunteer to work on a project, or sending a young volunteer to another countryS all of these are examples of project that could be supported.
Participants should speak English and have good knowledge of the association's international programme and priorities, as well as its financial position. See July's EuroPak for details.
The second annual meeting of the Friends of Scouting in Europe will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 20-22 October 2000. The programme will include the opportunity to explore Zagreb and the surrounding area, and to meet the Croatian Scouts. The meeting is open to any member of the Friends of Scouting in Europe, or to anyone who is planning to become a member. It promises to be an enjoyable and most worthwhile weekend, so please consider joining us. For further information please contact René Karla (European Scout Foundation Board Member) on HRKarla@aol.com. The application form is available in July's EuroPak.
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