Talk:Scouting and Guiding in Kosovo

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I'm not at all a fan of this piece of real estate being taken over by immigrants then declared "independent", but per Facebook, and we have Western Sahara and Antarctica, so I suppose it's time we write this one. Chris (クリス • フィッチュ) (talk) 10:23, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

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Open Meeting Developing Scouting in Kosovo 6 February 2010 Pristina Introduction The open meeting on Developing Scouting in Kosovo was realized on 6 February 2010 in the Grand Hotel in Pristina. Background For a number of years, the European Scout Region has been observing developments in the Balkans and particularly in new countries such as Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia – especially following the conflicts in the area. Significantly, in June 2009, a meeting of associations in the area was held during the June 2009 European Scout Committee meeting. The aim was to share information on funding possibilities and support available through the Region particularly in the form of Tailored Support. The Region had supported some volunteering work undertaken by the French and this coincidentally enabled support to be provided to emergent Scout groups in Kosovo. This had been part of the efforts of a small group of associations who tried to provide support on the ground, though the climate of cooperation was very challenging. In 2006, utilizing a volunteer placed in the Belgrade Office of the Region, an independent survey was carried out to look at the strength of Scouting throughout Kosovo. This was a qualified success for a number of reasons – fear of losing preferred contacts and support, the antagonistic political situation and the funding limitations to enable blanket survey techniques. However, it was obvious that there were a number of distinct groupings in Kosovo: • Savez Izvidaca Srbije – the National Scout Organization with about 5 or 6 groups and supported by the headquarters in Belgrade • The Scout Association of Kosovo with about eight groups • The National Scout Centre of Kosovo with a similar number • And 5-6 other quite large independent groups. In all it seemed that the percentage of young people involved was significant – more that 2000 in an area with a population of just under two million. The changing political situation has meant that the contact between Scouts from outside Kosovo and groups inside have diminished and the situation has not been clarified by the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo nor of the seeming inaction of the international community. The Open Meeting Craig Turpie, Chairman of the European Scout Committee, chaired the meeting. The meeting was targeted at all adults who wish to be involved in developing Scouting in Kosovo, now and in the future as leaders, facilitators and supporters, without requiring any previous involvement in Scouting. The main topics for discussion at the meeting were: • What is Scouting? • Scouting around the World and around Europe • How to help develop Scouting in Kosovo • Support available from the European Region There were about 20 participants, consisting of representatives of existing Scout groups from different parts of Kosovo, as well as some young people who were interested in the future work in Scouting. The meeting discussed the current activities of Scout groups in Kosovo, as well as the challenges that they are facing and the needs to face further development and work. Halfway through the meeting, three additional participants from the Kosovo Scout Federation visited the meeting. There had been intensive email exchanges with the KSA who were asking for the right to be recognized as the NSO for Kosovo. The representatives did not wish to be recognized as officially present and they left after clarifying their position as one of support to ensure that Kosovo was not forgotten and with wished goodwill to all. What is Scouting? / Scouting around the World and around Europe Craig Turpie presented current data about Scouting around World and Europe using material developed at different levels to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting. How to help develop Scouting in Kosovo Most of the activities of the local Scout groups in Kosovo are related to camping, hiking, and the traditional Balkan specialty of competitions etc. Some other groups used the playing of competitive games with children to fulfill their objectives. Many are using youth program ideas and concepts from Western NSOs, as they were introduced by KFOR soldiers that are working in Kosovo. A major part of activities are realized on local bases, in their communities, with support by local government or some local business and parents of the children involved. There is a challenge of activating all of the membership due to lack of financial resources. Realization of activities requires financial resources and the children are not rich. Sometimes they are face difficulties in participating in activities. Some local groups are also implementing programs related to the environment, as they can access financial support from some foreign donors. All of the activities are realized on a voluntary basis, as there is no staff employed in any of the Scout groups. Participants at the meeting presented their need to be active, to do something to reach the point of some development of Scouting. Participants agreed that they have to cooperate in order to develop their organization. There were efforts in the previous period for the establishment of networks of local Scout groups with little success. There is a common understanding that if there is no structure soon, development may be futile. Support available from the European Region Representatives of the European Scout Region clearly stated that currently, taking into consideration the existing political situation, the lack of recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the UN, and related to that, according to the constitution of WOSM, there is no possibility for the establishment of a national Scout organization of Kosovo at present. However, the European Scout Region will continue to observe the situation, maintain relationships in Kosovo and will look at all possibilities to support grass roots Scouting – leaving aside the divisive political arguments and situations. A commitment was made to have meetings of network of Scout groups from Kosovo, twice a year. One of the meetings will be used for discussions among the members of the network and, additionally for training on issues related to management or planning, while the second meeting should be used for trainings on certain topics relevant to development of Scout groups in Kosovo. Distribution of educational and informational materials, as well as other resources, some of them translated into the Albanian language will be one type of support that will be implemented as well. Future actions A suggested date for the second meeting of this network of Scout groups from Kosovo is Friday to Sunday September 3-5, 2010. A concrete venue for the meeting, as well as an agenda will be defined in the following months. The European Scout Region undertook to share the information from this meeting with SIS and with the entire Region so that those interested in being involved at local level could be directed to potential contacts. The Representatives would also meet a locally based NGO worker who was from a Scout background to explore how relationships could be explored on the ground. The Region had also met, the same morning with the Director of Sport, part of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to brief them on Scouting and to ensure that there would be no undue pressure from governmental source in trying to control Scouting centrally which would be against our volunteer principles. List of participants in the Open Meeting on Developing Scouting in Kosovo

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