Programme sub committee meets in Kaohsiung

Very good attendance and productive discussions concluded the first formal meeting of the Programme Sub-Committee held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Dr Ie Bin Lian chaired the meeting. Among the attendees were Mr Wendel Avisado as adviser, incoming Regional Director JR Pangilinan and outgoing RD Abdullah Rasheed.

The regional plan was the centerpiece of discussion where many upcoming activities are outlined.

In addition, the sub-committee reviewed the Youth Forum recommendations (Dhaka) and the details of the environment workshop that will open after the meeting. They noted the status report of the 30th APR Regional Scout Jamboree to be held in Japan from 1-7 August with the solidarity programme going very well to ensure wide participation from developing countries and from other regions. Another point of interest is the upcoming Scout Congress in Hong Kong and every member has been asked to attend. Regional Chairman Dr Chao Shou-Po met the members and commended the good participation.

To show its support, the sub-committee members attended the opening ceremony of the APR Workshop on Environment on 2nd June 2013, being held in conjunction with the World Environment Day under the theme “Scouts' Accountability to Environment”, focusing on four basic elements: conservation, protection, promotion and sustainability.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was officiated by the Founder of Fo Guang Shan Master Hsing Yun in the presence of Chairman Dr. Chao Shou-Po. After the opening ceremony, four members of the expert of panels on various aspect of environment conducted a forum and responded to questions from the participants chaired by Dr. Lin, Director of the New Taipei City; with Master
Hui-Chuan of Fo Guang Shan; Dr. Lee, Professor of National Taiwan university; Ms. Tsai, Deputy Director of Environment Protection Administration of Taiwan; and Mr. Li, Director General of the Council of Agriculture Forest Bureau.