Scouts from Asia-Pacific all set for Sweden adventure as Jamboree begins today



The Jamboree is expected to have around 39,000 Scouts from 150 countries who are set for a series of adventure and learning in this 10-day jamboree.

From Asia-Pacific Region, a total 3,443 Scouts, plus a number of key leaders and volunteers converge in Kristianstad. Scout Association of Japan leads the region in fielding the largest contingent with 1,023 members, followed by Hong Kong with 529 participants, and India with 221 participants. Except for one WOSM member and an associate member, 24 National Scout Organizations are participating in the world jamboree.


Out of 3,443 Scouts, 53 Scouts from 14 countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, are under the sponsorship of Operation One World who gather as two patrols. Operation One World assists Scouts with all Jamboree-related expenses including costs for suitable camp clothing, a warm sleeping bag and tent, transportation, entry visas, as well costs for the stay in Sweden before and after the Jamboree. Many of these young people have never traveled outside of their countries and are now participating in a world jamboree. Five of them are street children who are part of the Asia-Pacific Regional Project -- Ticket to Life.


Prior to the Jamboree, The Swedish Guide and Scout Council, the host country, has tremendously worked together with the six regional offices of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in selecting qualified young people who would not be able to participate without the help of the scholarship and whose participation will have a deep impact on them and their surrounding environment.

In the evening of 26th July, an IST opening ceremony was held where 150 countries were represented as shown in the Arena's TV screens. The IST Party was a night of friendship that blended well with music and dancing. It was also a way to convey the appreciation to the Builders Team of the jamboree who had been working day and night for nearly 2 months prior to the event. The Jamboree has around 8000 ISTs operating the jamboree, ensuring that participants will have the best possible time throughout the event.


Since this Jamboree is about nature, solidarity and meetings, some members of the Regional Scout Committee and sub-committee chairmen are at the Jamboree for the first inter-regional dialogue between the Asia-Pacific Region and the European Scout Committees at a breakfast meeting on 30th July. Comprising the Asia-Pacific team are Prakorb Mukura, Dr Azrul Azwar, Nicholas Tang, Jose Eduardo Delgado, Janaprith Fernando, Shinya and Sonny Kim Seung Su. On the European side, Chairman Craig Turpie will attend with six others.

Regional Scout Committee Chairman Jejomar C Binay plans to attend the Jamboree between 4th to 5th August and will join the World Scout Foundation Fellowship Gathering and later on visit the Jamboree site and stay overnight in tent.