UK AFRICA NETWORK

THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION (UNITED KINGDOM)

AT PANAFRIC HOTEL

ON AUGUST 21, 2003

1. David Bull International Commissioner UK

2. Jonathan Cooksley Chairman Africa Network Fellowship

3. Stephen Clark Assistant County Commissioner – International

4. Martin Maasai International Commissioner – Kenya

5. Musa Mukagwa Camp Manager Rowallan Camp Nairobi, Kenya

6. Buoro Edward Field Development Officer

This meeting followed an earlier meeting that was held at Scout HQ based at Rowallan Camp.

There were issues raised by the visiting UK team that formed the basis of this discussion.  These included the following.

Introducing the newly formed Africa Network Scout Fellowship

Becoming acquainted with colleagues in the Kenya Scouts Association

Make contacts with local scout troops in Kenya

Research future expeditions for UK troops in Kenya

Discuss notification for incoming groups to the UK

Discuss procedures for effective visa application for participants to UK events

Report on fundraising in support of the Nyeri project

Investigate how UK scouts can become further involved in community projects, which will help promote the growth of the scout movement in Kenya

To streamline travel to the UK by scouts from Kenya certain measures should be put in place.

i.  Identify all the events in UK and liaise with Kenya Scouts Association (KSA).

ii. Verify all persons traveling to ensure that only genuine scouts participate.

iii. Travel arrangements to made through the Kenya Scouts Association HQ.

iv. Recommendation letters from KSA and Local Associations.

v. UK partners to communicate with the foreign office about these events.

vi. Official invitation from UK to participants (UK Logo) through KSA.

It was also noted that the KSA should differentiate between personal trips and official ones.

It was underscored that an attempt has been made to try and streamline scouting activities between the UK and other Scouts Associations across the world and particularly Africa.

Thus, a lot of activities will be channeled through the Africa Scout Fellowship chaired by

Jonathan. That they intend to work through the Scout HQ’s and not individual groups or

institutions. This was noted especially with a group headed by Gavin Bate that was seen not to be following the laid down rules and regulations.

The UK scouts officials agreed that they were in a position to pass information on any event, activity or individual as requested by KSA to very the person or his/her activities.

The idea of setting up a memorial park with scouting/BP’s paraphernalia and memorabilia was also discussed.  It was agreed that this would go along way into educating the public about scouting as well as giving scouts an opportunity to learn about the founder.  This would include literature, artifacts and even a place where all visitors to the park can sign.

The issue of UK volunteers offering their services at the park was also discussed. Meanwhile this was seen as the first step towards setting up an information center in preparation for the centenary celebrations in UK.  A well equipped information centre would serve to inform, entertain and educate the public and particularly Scouts from across the globe.

The officials also discussed the possibility of exchange programme's between the two countries.

Mt. Kenya Climb was given as a good example where scout from UK can join their Kenyan counterparts in expeditions, walks, runs and other form of charities.  The two groups were told to explore these possibilities.  Linkages could also be through jamborees and other join ventures.

The issue of visas to the UK was also discussed especially when the International Commissioner Kenya was denied a visa to attend a jamboree in UK.  It was agreed that measures should be put in place well in advance to facilitate participation in such activities.  That is through notification of our UK counterparts who will pass the same information to their embassy.  The fact that KSA must consult with UK before applying for visas was underscored.

It was noted that KSA was currently undergoing serious transition problems and after her Annual General Meeting scheduled for sometime this year ( November 14, 2003) it was expected to bounce back to active scouting initiatives.  This was noted has been a stumbling block for various development initiatives.

The proceedings of this meeting has been written and compiled by: Buoro Edward

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UK Africa Network

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