Scouts inspire at the 2019 WSF Investor Seminar
The 2019 World Scout Foundation Investor Seminar on 5 April showcased incredible Scouts, their experiences and initiatives, to current and potential supporters and donors of World Scouting.
As part of the overall 2019 WSF Investor Conference and 72nd Baden-Powell Fellowship Event in Seoul, Republic of Korea, the Seminar delivered seven impactful TEDx-style talks by Scouts from the Asia-Pacific Region to a captive audience of close to two hundred participants, on the 76th floor of the iconic Lotte World Tower. The video links are embedded in the text and titles below.
Baden-Powell Fellow and Messenger of Peace Hero, Katie Hancock, gave the keynote address, sharing her own experience of creating impact at a local level, and explaining how this translates to global impact with over 1.1 billion hours of community service already delivered in 170 countries worldwide, meeting every one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The seven Scout speakers then explained how they have each, in very different ways, found solutions to critical issues in their communities, facing these with the values-based leadership skills they have developed through Scouting, and through this, transforming both their lives and those of others in their local communities. And by sharing these stories at the Investor Seminar, the Scouts have helped to enthuse current investors, inspire their further long-term engagement in Scouting, and motivate others to join to grow this support.
Since 2016, Junbert Pabon has worked to change law-breakers into peace-makers. In his input, this formidable 19-year-old talked about the incredible Scouting programme he helps deliver in rehabilitation centres to “children in conflict with the law” in the Philippines, which equips them with vital skills to help them better integrate back into society when released.
Annie Asquith has worked hard to develop Scouting in her community for all, championing diversity and inclusion, and through this, enriching the lives of all involved. In her address, she shared her story and leadership journey, the many challenges overcome, the dedication and drive she has personally invested, and the fantastic outcomes achieved, all through Scouting.
25 year old Scout, Rahmad Adi Ansori, was involved in leading the Scouts’ disaster relief emergency efforts after the earthquakes in Sulawesi Province in September 2018. In his emotive talk, he explains how he led 340 Rover Scouts and coordinated efforts for humanitarian relief, reaching areas that had been cut off for days to support those affected by the disaster.
Humayra Ibnat Badhon was inspired by her strong mother to fight for more opportunities for young women in Bangladesh, which led to her joining the Scouts and growing Scouting for girls in her local community from zero to eight to a staggering 2000! In her address, she talked about what drives her and her ongoing work to help girls and young women understand their options and the importance of getting an education.
Prakash Raj Pandey was inspired through Scouting to take on the challenge to climb Mount Everest. In his talk, he shared his journey, reflecting on the skills Scouting instilled in him, and explained how he has used this experience to champion a cause which has always been close to his heart: indigenous children’s rights and education.
Jeong (Jay) Jiwon shares is involved in the leadership of a wonderful local Scout project to provide heating fuel briquettes to the elderly in need in her community, each winter, plus the year-round fundraising efforts. At the Seminar, she explained how this very ordinary project has an extraordinary impact on all those it touches year on year, bringing them warmth in more ways than one, and why she and her fellow Scouts are so inspired to take action.
Md Foysal had an exceptionally hard childhood as a street child, but through Scouting he discovered a family, skills and support for his education. This incredibly moving talk is a testament to the exceptional leader Foysal has become, and the importance of the flagship “Ticket To Life” project run in Bangladesh and many other countries in the Asia-Pacific Scout Region.
The World Scout Foundation Chairman, Lars Kolind, gave the closing address, reflecting on the transformation of young people, one by one, through the Scout Programme, into responsible, skilled, autonomous young leaders, who are changing the world for the better, and how the Baden-Powell Fellowship can support the Movement and its 51 million members worldwide.
With particular reference to the talks given at the Investor Seminar, the World Scout Foundation takes this opportunity to recognise Alwaleed Philanthropies for its substantive support to disaster preparedness training for Scouts in Indonesia and a great number of other countries worldwide. The Foundation is also delighted to recognise Doris and Hans Imholz for their longstanding and generous support to the Ticket To Life Programme in the Asia-Pacific Region. And inspired by the young Scouts at the event, two of our BP Fellows—Yasmine Bensultana and Roslyn Morgan—extended a generous invitation of Young Baden-Powell Fellowship to the Scout speakers. Further to this, Yasmine has also committed to further supporting the Bangladesh project.
The Baden-Powell Fellowship provides a lifetime association with the Scout Movement and with businesses, governments and Scout leaders who share the same ideals. Joining and participating, especially when you have been a Scout—although this is not a requirement—offers the greatest reward in being involved in the development of young people around the world. Find out how to join the World Scout Foundation as a Baden-Powell Fellow here.
