Boy Scouts de Syrie
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Syria is one of 35 countries where Scouting exists but where there is no National Scout Organization which is presently a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). In 1999, Syria was expelled from WOSM for noncompliance with its constitutional obligations, notably nonpayment of registration fees over an extended number of years. The association has, however, continued its activities since its expulsion, but under difficult circumstances.
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[edit] History
Although Syria is not at present a WOSM recognized nation, the Arab Scout Region points to Syria as among the first founders of the Scout Movement in the Region; in fact the original headquarters of the Region was in Damascus. Scouting was founded in Syria in 1912, during the Ottoman Empire, and originally became a member of WOSM in 1924, as a federation of Christian and Muslim associations, jointly with Lebanon. In the 1930s and 1940s, Scouting was affected by the political situation in the region, and the separation of Syria and Lebanon.
In August 1949, the registration with the World Scout Conference of Boy Scouts of Syria as a separate entity was confirmed. In 1954, Syria hosted the 1st Arab Regional Scout Jamboree and in 1958 the 3rd Arab Regional Scout Jamboree and the 1st Arab Regional Scout Conference.
Ali al-Dandachi served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1951 until 1957. In 1969, Mr. Dandachi was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting. In 1980, Ibrahim Zakaria was also awarded the Bronze Wolf.
Syrian Scouts have a national training center at Zabadani, where the first Arab Jamboree was held in 1954. In 1959, during the period when the Boy Scouts de Syrie (Arabic: كشافة سورية) was recognized as a unified Scout federation with Egypt, the Levantine nation had 17,900 Scouts, and in 1990 membership stood at 11,073.
The Boy Scouts de Syrie were removed from WOSM-membership in November, 1999 due to non-payment of membership fees. Syria still participates in Scouting activities with Arab Region neighbors while seeking return of WOSM status.
The membership of the Scouts of Syria has increased substantially since 2005 and now totals 9,358 (1,170 Cub Scouts, 4,500 Scouts, 3,000 Advanced Scouts, 250 Rovers and 438 Adult Leaders). The association is open to boys and girls.
[edit] 2008 WOSM recognition
The World Scout Bureau has received an application from the Scouts of Syria for rerecognition by the World Organization. [1] In accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of WOSM, the World Scout Committee considered this application at its meeting on 29 February-2 March, 2008, and recommended that it be accepted. Under the terms of Article VI.2 of the WOSM Constitution, “if within three months the recommendation is unopposed or opposed by less than five percent of the Member Organizations”, the Scouts of Syria will be declared a Member, as the National Scout Organization of Syria, of the World Organization of the Scout Movement as from 1 July, 2008.
The Constitution of the Scouts of Syria has been checked thoroughly and approved by the Constitutions Committee. A formal mission to visit the association, consisting of World Scout Bureau staff and the Arab Regional Scout Committee, was undertaken in February 2008 to assess the realities on the ground. The conclusion is that the Scouts of Syria fully meets the requirements for readmission to WOSM membership.
[edit] Program and ideals
Service projects include planting trees, clean up campaigns, development projects, fire fighting and literacy campaigns. The situation of the Scouts of Syria has now much improved. It benefits from governmental support, while being fully independent, and enjoys a very good image in Syria, comprising groups of various ethnic and religious communities. The Scouts of Syria is very active in delivering quality Scouting, and has produced a number of documents and tools for the local, district and national levels. Local groups are very active, and the range of their activities and programs (environment, peace, refugees, children facing difficulties in school, etc.) are a good indicator of the willingness to respond to needs of young people in the community through the provision of good Scouting.
The Scout Motto is Kun Musta'idan or كن مستعداً, translating as Be Prepared in Arabic, but the local variant is Wa-a-iddoo or و أعدوا. The noun for a single Scout is Kashaf or كشاف in Arabic.
[edit] Girl Guiding
Although Syria does have a Guiding organization, work towards World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts membership recognition remains unclear.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links and references
- Official homepage
- Facts on World Scouting, Boy Scouts International Bureau, Ottawa, Canada, 1961
- World Organization of the Scout Movement (1990), Scouting 'Round the World. 1990 edition. ISBN 2-88052-001-0
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