Scouting can mould character, life skills to take on responsibilities in future: CA

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MOUCHAK (Gazipur), Oct 12 (BSS/UNB): Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed Sunday said that scouting could mould character and help provide appropriate life skills to allow scouts to shoulder greater responsibilities in the future.
"We will need your contribution in many varied ways to promote the SAARC spirit and to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of this region," the Chief Adviser said this while speaking at the inaugural function of a weeklong (12-18 October) sixth SAF Scout Friendship Camp, Bangladesh, at the National Scout Training Centre at Mouchak in Gazipur Sunday.
The Chief Adviser suggested that the Rover Scouts revisit the strategic priorities of scouting and explore more and more challenging and attractive youth activities, which could meet their needs as well as the needs of societies.
The function has been organised by Bangladesh Scouts in association with South Asia Foundation (SAF).
The theme of the sixth SAF Scout Friendship Camp is 'Scouting for Peace and Friendship'.
SAARC countries had been hosting and organising SAF Scout Friendship Camps since 2002. Bhutan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively hosted the previous SAF Scout Friendship camps.
The broad objective of such gathering of youths has been the enhancement of solidarity, friendship and cultural exchange through scouting.
A total of 322 rover scouts and scout leaders, including 138 from Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, are participating in the sixth SAF scout camp. The rest of the participants are from the host Bangladesh.
As the Chief Adviser arrived at the venue, he was adorned with the scout scarf. The rovers of the participant countries with their respective national flag introduced themselves to the Chief Adviser.
President of Bangladesh Scouts and Secretary of Education Ministry M Momtajul Islam, Chief National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts M Abul Kalam Azad and president of the organising committee of the sixth SAF Friendship Camp M Mozammel Haque Khan also spoke at the function.
Chief National Commissioners and National Commissioners of Scouts of SAARC countries, scout leaders and officials, rover scouts, elite and government officials were present at the opening ceremony.
A cultural performance based on Independence of Bangladesh, its social and cultural tradition, particularly tradition of rural life, was displayed at the function.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Adviser advised the Rover Scouts of the SAARC countries to take every opportunity of making new friends in their assembly to foster greater regional cooperation for attaining shared prosperity.
The Chief Adviser said he considers Rover Scouts to be young ambassadors of goodwill exchange, conflict management and social development in this region.
Dr Fakhruddin said: "The large youth population of the SAARC countries can benefit from guidance as they develop into the leaders of tomorrow."
He said: "I understand that the organisers of this sixth SAF Friendship Camp have designed interesting and challenging programmes for you to participate in and learn from. You will also have the chance to better understanding one another, to exchange ideas related to culture, tradition and common values."
The CA noted there is tremendous scope for increasing scout membership in the SAARC region where the population exceeds one billion, and he believes that with combined efforts the quantitative and qualitative improvements in scouting would be visible in this region of the world and bring about positive changes for a better tomorrow.
He said the Chief Commissioners of the SAARC countries might make this assembly a common platform to discuss issues like leadership development, youth involvement in decision-making process, gender equity, poverty alleviation and other issues.