APR Messenger of Peace Coordinators gather in Mt Makiling.

APR Messenger of Peace Coordinators gather in Mt Makiling :-
MoP Coordinators from 22 National Scout Organizations gathered for four days from 23rd to 26th
February 2013 at the National Training Center in Mt. Makiling in Laguna, Philippines to share their
projects and challenges under the global initiative, the Messenger of Peace (MoP). Boy Scouts of the
Philippines (BSP) hosted the gathering.
MoP Coordinators from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Scouts of
China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Kiribati, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New
Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand joined the opening
ceremony of the National Peace Jamboree held on Baden Powell Day, the 22nd of February. BSP
President Hon. Jejomar C. Binay, on this occasion, greeted all the coordinators for a great job and
addressed around 5,000 Scouts attending the Peace Jamboree.
The MoP gathering was inaugurated on 23rd February by BSP Board member Del De Guzman, with
the presence of Cedrik Train, BSP National Commissioner for Community Based Scouting, Regional
Director of World Scout Bureau (WSB) Abdullah Rasheed; Mr Peter Illig, Director of Global Support,
WSB and BSP Director of Operations Roger Villa.
The objective of the gathering was to update MOP Coordinators on the Messenger of Peace initiative
and build their capacity for effective and efficient implementation of the projects, with multiplying
effects, at national and local levels. Part of the target is to enroll at least 20 million Scouts as part of
the Global Network in the next eight years, and a more proactive involvement of Scouts in their
communities.
Coordinators shared best practices, hands on project planning and management, and discussed the
expansion of MoP network and maximizing the use of MoP on-line platform.
Mr Avisado acknowledged the enthusiastic interaction between participants and staff and presented
them with certificates of participation and appreciation. Mr Rajalingam Ramasamy, Chairman of Adult
Resources Sub-Committee, was also present at the closing ceremony.
Rev. Dr. Leonides T. Son, Deputy National Training Commissioner of BSP directed the gathering with
the support of Mr Prassanna Shrivastava, Director Development Support & Finance, WSB; Ms. Cynthia
Marquez, Global Projects Manager; Syd Castillo, Director of Youth Programme; Uzair Kamal,
Development Support Manager; and coordinated by Mr. Yasser F. Sarona of the BSP.