The Official Newsletter of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), published three times a year.

1. May 2013
Asia Pacific Region to Achieve Four
Million Members by 2020
At the annual Asia Pacific Regional
Committee meeting held in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia from 2 to 8 March 2013, the
Committee set a new membership target in the
Region. This was after having achieved the
target of approximately three million members
in the triennium of 2012-2014, two years
ahead of schedule. The new membership
target of four million members is tied in with
the Asia Pacific Regional Membership
Development Strategy which sets the direction
of the Region until 2020.
The Asia Pacific Region has seen a
continuous membership increase since 2009.
Total membership has grown from 2.6 million
members in 2009 to 2.9 million in 2011, the
latest being almost 3.07 million members in
2012. The membership increase was due to
the concerted efforts of all Member
Organizations in the Asia Pacific Region and
the Asia Pacific Regional Committee.
One of the actions under the Asia Pacific
Operational Plan 2012-2014 is to recognize
Member Organizations which achieve an
increase in membership by 2% or more in
three years. Recent Member Organization
reports showed that 18 out of the 25 Member
Organizations in the Region achieved this and
the 18 Member Organizations will be
presented with certificates of recognition at the
11th
Asia Pacific Regional Conference in
Tokyo, Japan this June.
During the meeting, the Asia Pacific Regional
Committee also discussed various ways to
enhance support to the Member Organizations
and to strengthen the growth and development
of the Region, with great focus on the Asia
Pacific Regional Membership Development
Strategy. The Strategy will be discussed with
Member Organizations during the 11
th
Asia
Pacific Regional Conference. It consists of six
regional strategic priorities:
1. Strengthen the skills of adult
members.
2. Deliver attractive and quality
programmes.
3. Retain and grow membership and
market share.
4. Build strong structures and
organizational systems.
5. Expand and diversify funding in
Member Organizations and the Asia
Pacific Region,
6. Enhance the image and awareness of
Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting

2. 2
May 2013
Flag for the Future Arctic Competition Winner from Malaysia Chosen by Vivienne Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood, the world renowned fashion designer, selected the winning flag
design on 8 March 2013 in London. This design will be planted on the seabed at the North Pole in
April 2013, closing the global competition run by WAGGGS and Greenpeace as part of Greenpeace’s
campaign to Save the Arctic.
The contest inspired youth from around the world to create a flag that would symbolize peace, hope
and global community, as a statement of the commitment of millions of people who have signed a
petition to protect the Arctic from oil drilling and overfishing. The contest ran for three months and
inspired designs from young people from 54 countries.
The winning design was submitted by Sarah Bartrisyia, a 13-year-old
Girl Guide from Malaysia, whose winning entry featured seven brightly
coloured doves and an Arctic starflower. The seven doves, she said,
represented each of the seven continents; each carrying an olive branch
which when brought together formed a laurel wreath, a symbol of Arctic
protection.
Shi Yun Lim, aged 13, of Singapore was a runner-up in the competition, which means her flag will
also be going to the Arctic. “I may live in a hot place, but I know the polar ice is very important
because it keeps the whole planet cool. If that ice melts, the earth will heat up even more and small
islands like Singapore will suffer because the sea level will rise.”
Shi Yun also knows there are solutions to this problem: “Our world leaders should know that we need
to stop using dirty fossil fuel – there are lots of different kinds of energy that we can use, like wind
power.”
Sarah’s winning design will be produced as a titanium flag to be planted at the North Pole, four
kilometres beneath the ice, and put on the seabed in a time capsule containing the signatures of
millions of Arctic defenders. At the moment, no single country owns the international waters around
the North Pole, but as climate change causes the sea ice to melt, countries and companies are
moving in to exploit the resources including oil and fish in the Arctic Ocean.
Sarah’s winning design covered three key areas:
1. Hope - The doves are painted with the seven rainbow colours (red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo and violet). Rainbow symbolizes hope for the Arctic. The shape in the centre is
taken from a seven-petaled flower aptly called Arctic starflower (Trientalis europea) which
grows in the northern climate. It is categorized as an endangered plant in some places. The
star is the symbol for hope.
2. Peace - The doves carrying olive branches signifies the world living in peace and harmony.
3. Global Community - The white circle in the middle of the flag represents the Arctic Circle. The
seven doves carrying olive branches form a laurel wreath (headgear). It represents a united
"Arctic Defenders" from the seven continents under Greenpeace flagship. The blue areas
outside the circle are icebergs floating freely which signifies the threats such as global
warming, over-fishing, oil drilling and conflict between countries.
"The creativity of young people is one of the most powerful tools we have to build a better world. The
winning flag for the future is a fantastic representation of peace, hope and global community, and I am
proud that it’s on the way to the North Pole,” said Dame Westwood.
The judging panel included two Canadian Northern Indigenous artists, Hilary Tam (Chinese/Canadian
TV presenter), and 15-year-old Aishah Morshed, a Girl Guide from Ireland. Sarah notes on receiving
her award “As a member of Girl Guides Association Malaysia, I feel very happy and honoured to be
part of the Greenpeace and WAGGGS’ effort to Save the Arctic and the historic flag ceremony. I wish

3. 3
May 2013
to thank Greenpeace and WAGGGS for this once in a lifetime opportunity. We need to protect the
Arctic because it is the home of many indigenous peoples and many animal species. It should be
declared a global sanctuary.
I found out about the competition during my Environmental Journey in India visit last December to
Sangam. After looking at a photo of the two brave Girl Guides taken in the Arctic, I decided to do my
little part by participating and supporting the campaign to Save the Arctic. This is a golden opportunity
for me to send the message of hope and peace to the rest of the world.
I named my flag “Star Artica” or “Arctic Star” which means hope not only for the Arctic but the whole
world. We can only save the Arctic for the future generations if we are united in peace and harmony.
The Arctic is one of the last pristine places on earth, home to more than four million people as well as
unique animals found nowhere else on the planet. Greenpeace is working with youth organizations
like WAGGGS to ensure that this precious region is protected for generations to come.”
World Thinking Day 2013
Thinking Day 2013 Celebrations by Yeppoon Queensland Australia
Members of Keppel Coast District Girl
Guides, Boy Scouts, families and friends were
invited to Thinking Day activities which began
with a bushwalk to the peak of Kemp Beach
National Park. There was lots of laughter and
stories about the view or the climb on the
return to the site of the ceremony which
included recalling the journey from the
beginnings of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting
over 100 years ago.
There was such a feeling of the Baden-Powell
spirit as the flag bearers proudly presented
their flags to the eager crowd and a very
poignant moment when Trish Brown made her
promise as a Girl Guide Leader with the
Tropical Pearl Girl Guide Unit.
The story of the Beaded Necklace was read as
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts came forward with
cardboard beads relating to passages in the
story. Soon the circle became involved in
beads, strengthening bonds as each
differently-coloured bead was added,
symbolizing the strength in diversity. This story
was adapted from the Canadian Girl Guide
website.
“Hey,Hey Hey it’s Thinking Day” was sung
while Girl Guides collected donations for the
Thinking Day Fund, which helps support Girl
Guiding in Ireland, Jordan, Malawi, Pakistan
and Venezuela.
The Region’s International Consultant shared
a display of World Thinking Day post cards,
highlighting benefits for all members to be
involved in World Thinking Day activities each
year. Contacts were made with four of the five
World Regions, and a letter was read from an
English Girl Guide Unit who in turn, enclosed a
letter they
had received
from the
Africa
Region.
Through the
post card
exchange,
Girl Guides
learnt about cultures, food, badges, games
and programme ideas from other countries.
The day was capped off with a huge
homemade birthday cake provided by a
member of the local Support Group. The
whole area could hear the Girl Guides singing
happy birthday as the cake was cut. What a
fitting ending to a great day of celebration!

4. 4
May 2013
World Thinking Day and Let Us Share 2013
Carnival Celebrated by the Hong Kong Girl
Guides Association
The Hong
Kong Girl
Guides
Association
held “World
Thinking Day
and Let Us
Share 2013”
Carnival on 2
March 2013 at Discovery Park, a popular
shopping mall in the New Territories. “Let Us
Share” is a programme for delegates of
International Exchange Activities to share their
insights and experiences learned.
They combined the World Thinking Day
Ceremony and “Let US Share” together to
promote the image and visibility of Girl Guiding
in Hong Kong, and allow Girl Guides and the
public to understand the characteristics of Girl
Guiding such as international exposure and
international friendship. The carnival included
World Thinking Day ceremony, booths for
sharing from overseas delegations, promotion
of WAGGGS, and membership recruitment.
Over 700 participants joined the event.
Pax Lodge World Thinking Day
Celebrations
Amy Graham, Programme Coordinator-:
Events at Pax Lodge, gave an idea of what
World Thinking Day was like at the London
World Centre: “World Thinking Day at Pax
Lodge is always a big event and this year was
no exception.
Over the weekend, Pax Lodge opened its
doors to over 200 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
who were given the chance to explore the
building by following a trail of activities put
together by the international team of staff and
volunteers.
Pax Lodge’s Thinking Day celebrations started
on the afternoon of Friday 22 February as
staff, volunteers and guests gathered together
to attend the Evensong service at Westminster
Abbey. After the service they were able to visit
the memorial in the Abbey for Lord and Lady
Baden-Powell and take time to reflect on why
we celebrate World Thinking Day. With Girl
Scouts from the USA and Norway present,
along with the diversity of the staff, the feeling
of international togetherness was strong. It
was a chance to celebrate the Girl Guiding
and Girl Scouting glue that holds us all
together and focus on what we could do to
make the world a better place not just for
ourselves, but for all the mothers and children
around the globe – as was the theme for this
year’s World Thinking Day celebrations. It was
a calm and quiet reflection with friends – very
different from the craziness that was about to
come!
Over every World Thinking Day weekend, as
per tradition, there are open days where
guests pick a morning or afternoon slot to visit.
This year was no different. When the guests
arrived, they were greeted by an enthusiastic
reception team armed with coloured
wristbands. These wristbands split the troops
and units up into groups and determined the
route they took around the building. A
wonderful collection of the Friends of Pax
Lodge held a fete in the dining room and one
by one the groups were taken out to start their
adventure. Every single possible area of Pax
Lodge was taken over by a different member
of the staff and volunteer team who was ready
and waiting to share a song, dance, game or
craft from their country. There were also
‘MDG’ stations with activities on the
Millennium Development Goal themes for that
year. Each participant had a passport which
they filled with flags from each of the countries
and they also received a special Pax Lodge
pin.
The evenings were again a chance to forget
the boundaries between people as everyone
sang songs at a campfire and played games.
Everyone knew the songs and games in one
form or another, and were willing to learn, and
this again showed the beauty of our
movement; bringing us together in ways we
never would have imagined possible. All in
all, World Thinking Day 2013 at Pax Lodge
was a truly magical experience and despite
the hard work and long hours, everyone came
out feeling like it
was their best
Thinking Day
yet.”

5. 5
May 2013
Bharat Scouts and Guides Project Gives
Support to Tsunami Affected Children
The Bharat Scouts & Guides organized a
year long project “Support to Tsunami affected
children project- Food, Education and Clothing
for all”, for 1,000 Tsunami affected children
aged 5 to 15 years at the Krishna District,
Andhra
Pradesh
with
support by
the
WAGGGS
Tsunami
Relief
Fund. The
project started on 22 February 2012 and
concluded on 22 February 2013.
The objectives of the project were:
 To equip ten schools by providing teaching
aids and educational materials;
 To improve the learning environment in
Tsunami affected areas by involving 1,000
children in curriculum and extra–curricular
activities within the Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting spirit and encouraging the
participation of parents and other active
community members in school; and
 To open Scouts/Girl Guide units in the
locality.
The philosophy of the project was that every
human being is a unique individual and that
we all have a right to good health, education
and basic needs, all of which, the children lost
at the time of the tsunami in 2004.
The achievements of the project include the
following:
 Eight schools affected by the Tsunami have
reopened;
 Children of 586 families received education;
 13 new schools opened Girl Guide/Girl
Scout Units;
 Thinking Day materials were distributed to
the children;
 First Aid boxes were given to the 13
schools;
 Eight children almost overcame leprosy
diseases through annual medical treatment;
 Five parents received treatment for
tuberculosis.
The project started with a village survey
participated in by 1,515 families. The survey
covered all the affected areas of Campbelpet,
S.N.Gollpalen, Giripuram, Pallitunnalapalem,
Polatitippa, Kunuru, KPT Palen, and
Malakayalanka of the Krishna District.
After the survey, the Girl Guides/Girl Scouts
identified the affected families and their
children who have suffered from poverty,
illness and illiteracy. The Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts arranged to meet the parents to
motivate them to send their children to the
schools.
On 15 August 2012 (Independence Day of
India) a health checkup camp was organized
where around 1,300 children and their parents
were seen by 15 specialist doctors who
provided their services voluntarily. The local
hospital and health care center worked
together with the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
From that day
onward, the
Health Checkup
Camp continued
every second
Saturday of the
month.
Necessary
medicines were provided to the patients by
local health care center.
The Girl Guides and Girl Scouts also started
company meetings and troop meetings for
those who attended school. During these
meetings, they learnt Girl Guide and Scout
skills. Regular Girl Guide/Girl Scout classes
were conducted by the Unit leaders to
motivate the children towards school and
guide them in proper manner. 13 schools
registered with the Bharat Scouts and Guides
during this period.
On 22 February 2013, with the celebration of
Thinking Day, a sports day was organized for
the Tsunami affected school children who
were already Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Around 1,250 girls and boys and their teachers
participated in different games and sports.
Invited guests included Shri G. Surya Prakash
Rao- I.P.S., D.I.G. of Police, Shri Rao
Garlanding, Shri Aroop Sarkar, Assistant
Director and Project Coordinator. Local media

6. 6
May 2013
and newspapers gave extensive coverage of
the programme. The project continues with the
help of local people, health care centre and
bonafide Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The
project was coordinated by Shri Aroop Sarkar,
Assistant Director, Bharat Scouts & Guides.
Pakistan Runs
First Aid and
Rescue
Trainings
A
number of First
Aid and Rescue
trainings were
organized by Pakistan Girl Guides Association
Punjab at Lahore, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Jhang
and Gujranwala with the collaboration of
Rescue 1122 and the Pakistan Red Crescent
Society. The representatives of these
organizations trained Girl Guides, Senior Girl
Guides and Guiders in handling the injuries
and emergency situations, providing first aid
and to treat the bleeding, fractures and viral
infections. They were also trained to make
stretchers and first aid boxes with limited
resources. Lectures on Mother Health and
Child Mortality were also part of these
trainings in which trainers learned how to
prevent a new born inheriting different
diseases from her infected mother at the time
of birth.
Bangladesh Runs Training of Trainers
On 10 February 2013, a full day training
was conducted by the Bangladesh Girl Guides
Association at their headquarters. The training
was run by Catherine Heath Chiu from the
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. Catherine
is also a member of the Asia Pacific training
Resource Pool and a certified WLDP trainer of
WAGGGS.
13 trainers from regions across Bangladesh
Girl Guides Association, 25 National Executive
Members and 12 office members of the
association participated in the training. The
training focused on different techniques of
innovative training, new methods to introduce
oneself by identifying strengths, how to identify
the needs of the girls and prioritize those
needs, learning by doing, and lastly how to
motivate someone to achieve goals.
The association is very grateful to Cathy who
spent a full day with the members of the
association during her annual holiday in
Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Girl Guides
Association is also grateful to the Asia Pacific
Regional Committee for arranging the training
for their association.
Bharat Guides and Scouts Hold State Level
Executives Meeting
The Bharat Guides and Scouts State Level
Executives namely State Secretaries, Joint
State Secretaries, State Organizing
Commissioners and State Training
Commissioners gathered at their National
Headquarters, New Delhi, India to evaluate
last year’s performance and to formulate the
timetable of next year’s events. The meeting
was held from 26 to 28 February and the
outcome was ratified at the National Level
Planning Committee Meeting on 1 March
2013.
The meeting started with a formal inauguration
where Chief Commissioners of both wings
were recognized. Top professionals of the
National Headquarters facilitated the meeting.
Fruitful interactions were held on different
topics such as the state profile, strategies,
communications, and regional events. At the
end of the meeting the recommendations were

7. 7
May 2013
presented to the National Commissioner for
further action and follow through.
New Zealand Rangers Looking Forward to
their January 2014 Event, F14ME
Rangers in New Zealand are already
looking forward to hosting their own event in
January 2014. Called F14ME or Flame, the
event will be held near Auckland, New
Zealand’s largest city. A girl consultation
group has been set up to ensure event
activities are pitched at the right level and
leaders with specialist expertise have been
asked whether they would like to lead a two to
three day activity offsite.
F14ME will be held from Saturday 4 January
to Saturday 11 January 2014 at Wesley
College in
Pukekohe, south
of Auckland.
Rangers from all
over the world
are invited to join
the New Zealand
girls for this fun
mid-summer
event.
For more information email
flame@girlguidingnz.org.nz or visit GirlGuiding
New Zealand’s website
www.girlguidingnz.org.nz.
Girl Scouts of Japan: Don't Look Down on
the Power of Canned Tuna!
Canned tuna is by far Japan's number one
top seller among canned goods.
Amazing skills to maximize the use of canned
tuna were introduced on a popular Japanese
morning information television programme.
The Girl Scouts of Japan (GSJ) was invited to
appear on the programme. GSJ introduced a
way of using canned tuna that would be useful
in the event of a disaster. By using the oil in
the can, if you make a hole in the can (with the
tuna still
inside) and set light to it, you can use it as a
lamp in the event of a power failure.
A Girl Scout
trainer who has
been teaching
Girl Scouts how
to respond to
disasters since
the Great East
Japan
Earthquake in
March 2011,
went on TV and
showed viewers
how to do it. She
demonstrated how to insert a wick made from
tissue paper into a hole in the can and showed
how the flame burned for more than an hour.
She conveyed how ingenuity in times of
emergency is what Girl Scouts' "Be Prepared"
is all about.
Girl Guiding New Zealand Helping Out in
the Community
Pippins, Brownies, Girl Guides and
Rangers helped out in communities throughout
New Zealand during last year’s inaugural Girl
Guide Action Month. The annual Action Month
runs during May and June each year and
provides the girls the opportunity to take part
in community
service and to
help others
within their local
areas. Girl
Guide Action
Month not only
helps
communities but
also strengthens and heightens GirlGuiding
New Zealand’s profile and visibility.
“Although our girls are always out and about in
the community, it was a great opportunity to
focus on helping others in a concentrated way
for a month,” said Sonia Faulkner, GirlGuiding
New Zealand’s National President. “It is also a
chance to be involved with other local groups
and services.”
Community work undertaken during Girl Guide
Action Month included collecting money for the
local hospice, food for the SPCA and books
and toys for doctors’ surgeries along with
visiting retirement homes in their area. In New
Plymouth, Pippins aged five and six raised

8. 8
May 2013
money for the Kiwi – New Zealand’s native
species of flightless birds - on Mt Egmont by
picking and selling feijoas and making crafts
and cards. Girl Guides in the Manawatu
continued their community work in the region
by doing a HeartStopper Challenge with teams
dressed in Girl Guiding clothes from different
eras jumping into pools of icy water – in the
middle of winter! All the money raised went to
the @Heart cause for children with heart
issues.
Girl Guide Action Month also fits in with the
goals of the organization that focus on
leadership development, community
engagement and their mission to enable girls
and young women to develop their fullest
potential as responsible citizens of the world.
“Girl Guide Action Month is also a great way to
promote GirlGuiding New Zealand throughout
the country and the way we help girls develop
skills and confidence,” said Sonia Faulkner.
This year, girls will be out and about from
Saturday 4 May to Monday 3 June 2013,
Queen’s Birthday Weekend.
Microsoft Supports Sri Lanka Girl Guides
to Strengthen Rural Girl Guiding
Microsoft donated $5,284 in Microsoft
software to Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association
(SLGGA) in support of a project to strengthen
communication between the SLGGA and their
members in the rural areas of Sri Lanka. The
project will enable Sri Lanka Girl Guides to
enhance programmes at the grassroots level,
especially in the rural areas. SLGGA has
many community development programmes
including those related to the empowerment of
women and wellbeing of the girl child.
Said Akhtar Badshah, Senior Director,
Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs noted
“At Microsoft, we believe technology can do
amazing things. That’s why we partner with
thousands of organizations around the world
to help each one achieve its mission. “
Among the objectives of the project are to
convey messages from headquarters to
districts and provinces, bridge the sisterhood
and to meet Girl Guides in the rural areas, link
rural Girl Guide companies with Girl Guide
companies in other areas, develop life skills of
the Girl Guides and share knowledge with Girl
Guides and youths.
The first step of the project was the launch of
the programme during World Thinking Day this
year through Skype calls with Girl Guides/Girl
Scouts locally and overseas.
The first overseas call was with Alba from El
Salvador. Several other countries also
participated, including Cambodia and
Malaysia. Girl Guides and Little Friends of
SLGGA were very excited to have the
opportunity to meet Girl Guides/Girl Scouts
from other countries online, especially on
World Thinking Day.
Thailand Receives Letter of Commendation
from Former President United Nations
Women’s Guild Geneva
The Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) Association of
Thailand (GGAT), has received a
complimentary letter from Mrs. Yvonne Ismail-
Urfer, the former President United Nations
Women’s Guild Geneva, for GGAT Chiang Mai
regarding the Chern Bampen Campsite at
Maejo, Chiang Mai. High praise was given to
the Chairperson, Miss Utai Isro, for the
beautiful buildings and landscape, as well as
GGAT
Chiang Mai
capability to
organize a
camp for 400
girls.

9. 9
May 2013
Her Majesty the Queen of Brunei
Darussalam Donates USD20,000 to
the Asia Pacific Region
Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak
Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran
Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed
Alam, Patron of the Girl Guides Association of
Brunei Darussalam (GGABD), consented to
receive in audience Low Lih Jeng, Chairman
of the WAGGGS Asia Pacific Regional
Committee and Ching Ching Wee-Ong,
Regional Director of Asia Pacific Region on 2
February
2013. The
audience took
place at
Istana Nurul
Iman in the
afternoon.
Also present
was Her
Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah
Sa'adatul Bolkiah, as the President of the Girl
Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam.
The Asia Pacific Regional Team was
accompanied by GGABD’S Chief
Commissioner, Hajah Siti Hafsah binti Haji
Abdul Halim, Deputy Chief Commissioner,
Hajah Viviyanti binti Haji Ali and the Honorary
Secretary, Aida binti Haji Abdul Rahman.
The royal audience was granted during the
Asia Pacific Team’s Partnership visit to
GGABD held from 31 January to 3 February
2013. In the one-hour audience, the Asia
Pacific Regional team thanked Her Majesty for
her support for GGABD and previous
donations to the Asia Pacific Region. They
also shared with Her Majesty the activities of
the Asia Pacific Region, WAGGGS initiatives
and GGABD’s progress and initiatives for
2013-2016.
After the audience, the Asia Pacific Team
received a donation of USD 20,000 from Her
Majesty to the Friends of Asia Pacific
WAGGGS (FAPW). Her Majesty has been a
Major Donor of the FAPW since 2011.
Low Lih Jeng, Chairman of the Asia Pacific
Regional Committee said “The Asia Pacific
Region is deeply honoured by Her Majesty’s
support for our work and that Her Majesty
shares our vision to develop girls and young
women to their fullest potential to become
responsible citizens of the world. We are
inspired by Her Majesty’s continued support
for the Girl Guides Association of Brunei
Darussalam in their work to develop the girls
and young women of Brunei Darussalam into
leaders with confidence, character and
courage to serve their community, their
country and the world.”
During the visit to Brunei Darussalam, the Asia
Pacific Regional Team also attended a
fundraising dinner organized by the Friends of
Asia Pacific WAGGGS Brunei Darussalam
which raised donations amounting to GBP
1,500. The dinner was graced by the Deputy
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Brunei
Darussalam, Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti
Othman.
The Partnership visit to Girl Guides
Association of Brunei Darussalam provided
opportunities for the Asia Pacific Regional
Team to have working meetings with the
Executive Committee of GGABD and
interacted with both girl and adult members.
The Asia Pacific Regional Team also had the
honour to plant a tree in the Asia Pacific
Garden in the compound of GGABD.
Links to media articles/video
http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_con
tent&view=article&id=7904:dinner-
reception&catid=34:local&Itemid=66
http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Local-News/the-girl-
guides-association-of-brunei-darussalam-hosts-
dinner.html
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2013/02/02/brunei-
girl-guides-membership-drive
Nepal Scouts Revisits Strategic Plan to
Achieve Membership Target of 60,000 in
2020
WAGGGS Asia Pacific Region worked
hand in hand with the World Organization of

10. 10
May 2013
the Scout Movement- Asia Pacific Region
(WOSM-APR) in order to help Nepal Scouts
achieve a membership of 60,000 by 2020.
This goal was shared by 49 participants
representing 35 districts who attended the
National Strategic Plan Review at the Nepal
Scouts National Headquarters from 16 to 20
January 2013.
Dr. Abdul Rahim Mikarani, Hon. Member of
National Planning Commission, opened the
workshop on 16 January, with Mr. Hari
Prasad, Secretary of Youth and Sports
Ministry, as a special guest at the opening
ceremony. Shree Ram Lamichhanne, Chief
Commissioner welcomed the participants and
guests from abroad and gave an overview of
the achievements of Nepal Scouts over the
past three years.
Among the notable achievements are increase
in membership of Nepal Scouts; support of
core government personalities to Scouting
resulting in a grant of 2.5 million for the current
financial year; inclusion in the Sports Ministry
budget the construction of one to two training
centres; and renovation of existing
headquarter buildings. Other notable
achievements are the regular publication and
uploading of Scouting bulletins, newspapers,
and events on the website; and the improved
on-line communication exchanges with 30
districts. This includes the dissemination of
information for upcoming events, and the
results are apparent with the effective
mobilization and success of recent events
such as the Youth Forum and various training.
Normala Baharudin, Vice Chairman, Asia
Pacific Committee and Katheri Ann Charcos-
Puyo, Development Executive, Asia Pacific
Region represented WAGGGS at this event.
Both are proud to note the active participation
of women leaders in the event and challenged
them further to do more for the girls and young
women in Nepal.
Achala Thapa, Lalitpur District Executive
Member and Unit Leader of the Vajra Scout
Troop, shared her experience:
“After 20 years of teaching Science in
secondary and higher secondary students
aged 14 to 18, I changed my profession to
Principal for primary school students (3+ to 10
years) five years ago. As the school upgraded
one class per year, I felt a strong need for
Scouting to be introduced to my students as
they play a vital role in society. I thought of
introducing Scouting will help the children to be
physically, socially, intellectually, emotionally
and spiritually developed and have strong
character. Also, Scouting gives them the
opportunity to learn and practice leadership,
team work, unity, improve self-confidence,
reliability, trustworthiness, responsibility,
readiness and other characters of a model
human being.
Today, Nepal Scouts asked me to be a
facilitator in the National Strategic Planning
Review Workshop for 2013. It has made me
very proud at being the part of the workshop
not only as a group facilitator but as
representative of the women and girls of Nepal.
Through this workshop, I gained skills and felt
more confident not only in my professional life
but also encouraged me to be more responsible
in working with Nepal Scouts in order to move
its growth forward.“
New Zealand Finds New Ways to Include
Every Girl
The determination of GirlGuiding New
Zealand (NZ) that every girl in the country be
part of the
organization has
led to a new way of
delivering
programmes to
what was formerly
known as Lone
Guiding. The
creation of the Aotearoa Region enables
GirlGuiding NZ to reach these girls by
delivering programmes in a different way,
through mobile phones, the post, email and
the internet.
"As we work towards developing our current
programme content to be more technology
friendly we will start to use the internet for
more programme delivery,” said Kathy O’Neill,
Aotearoa region’s Regional Coordinator.

11. 11
May 2013
There are currently 50 girls within GirlGuiding
NZ who cannot attend regular unit meetings,
whether it is because they live in isolated rural
areas or overseas, they do not have a unit
within their local area or have gone to
boarding school. Within the Aotearoa units,
these girls now have the opportunity to choose
a Buddy Unit so they can interact with other
girls when they can. These units could be the
nearest one to where they live, they have a
friend going to that unit or it is near where their
grandparents live. Once the girls have chosen
their Buddy Units, the leaders of that unit then
invite her to activities, events, camps or skills
development sessions.
”This give the girls the opportunity to interact
with other girls and learn things which might
be difficult on their own,” said Kathy O’Neill.
The name Aotearoa is the Maori name for
New Zealand and means land of the long
white cloud in English.
“Through the Aotearoa Region and the Buddy
Units, we want to make sure that our
programmes are available to every single girl
in New Zealand, no matter where they live or
what barriers are in place as far as attending
regular unit meetings,” said Kathy.
”We are very excited about this new way of
delivering programmes to these girls.”
can
Girl Guides Australia International
Jamboree – Fantastic 2013
More than 1,600 Girl Guides and Leaders
attended “fanTAStic", the Australian
International Jamboree in Tasmania in
January 2013. As Tasmania is a rural island
state of Australia, the vision focused on
Millennium Development Goal 7: Ensure
Environmental Sustainability.
The “fanTAStic" vision statement was: “To
offer Girl Guides from around Australia and
overseas a unique Tasmanian experience
focused on friendship, fun and the
environment linked to the fundamentals of the
Australian Girl Guide Program. “
Girls had the opportunity to be informed,
challenged and were given take home
strategies to be the change they want to see in
the world in relation to the environment as part
of an integrated, challenging and fun
programme at “fanTAStic“.
The natural environment of Tasmania and the
icon and jamboree mascot of the endangered
Tasmanian Devil provided a unique
opportunity for Girl Guides Tasmania to deliver
a camping experience that met the needs of
today’s girls and young women. The group
and sub camps were named after Tasmanian
threatened vulnerable or endangered animals
or plants.
At the opening ceremony the message given
to the girls was that ‘Together we can change
the world’. This theme was repeated
throughout the camp with the aim that the
participants come to understand that working
together makes a huge difference. Everybody
endeavoured to ensure environmental
sustainability through recycling: for instance,
150 polystyrene vegetable boxes were
collected to be used for storing resources,
activity and food items while the lovable group
camp mascots were created reusing preloved
items and recyclable materials. Preloved
handbags and shopping bags were repeatedly
used to pass out instructions to the Leaders
and the Girl Guides.
An afternoon programme initiative,
“enviroTAStic”, saw participants sampling
eight activity pods comprising more than 100
different activity-based ideas including
Tasmanian flora and fauna, energy, recycling,
thinking about the environment and back to
basics craft ideas. A youth forum was also
included in this session to engage Girl Guides
in the issues that really matter to them.
Both the “fanTAStic" campfire and Guides
Own were interwoven with the theme of
MDG7. The campfire was based upon the
book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss which followed
the narrative told by the ‘Once-ler’ about how
he exhausted the natural resources of the
environment. The Guides' Own took the theme
of "Plant a seed, Let it grow"
The 10 – 13 year old Girl Guides had the
challenging opportunity to bivouac (camp in
the bush with only the basics provided). This
creative programme element was based on a
refugee wide game where Girl Guides moved
around in patrols (refugee families) between
six make believe refugee bushland camps,

12. 12
May 2013
participating in a wide variety of activities
including completing a family entry sheet in a
number of languages. Girl Guides were
exposed to what it might feel like to be a
refugee with no home, job or knowledge of
where their next meal may come from. The
girls were told at the end of the wide game that
a new refugee camp was being established
along the road where they were given a
tarpaulin, ropes and pegs to create their home
for the night. The next morning was a
celebration of unity supported by migrant
community members from Launceston,
Tasmania (refugees themselves) with a
concert and the Girl Guides having the
opportunity to join in with activities based on
the cultures of the community members.
Water Filter Project Run by Girl Guides
Association of Cambodia through Funding
from Girl Guides Australia, Queensland-
Gold Coast Region
The Girl Guides Association of Cambodia
ran a successful Sanitation and Water filter
Project with support from Girl Guides
Australia, Queensland- Gold Coast Region.
Cambodia is one of the countries in Asia that
has a lot of easily accessed water systems.
Despite this, many Cambodians lack basic
access to clean water and sanitation. Poor
communities, particularly children, face many
health problems related to water. Problems
include intestinal and stomach issues, typhoid,
dysentery and skin problems and large
epidemics of diarrhoea caused by cholera.
To address
this issue, a
group of
young Girl
Guide leaders
initiated
projects in
Khandal,
Takeo,
Kampong
Thom, Kampot and Kampong Speu provinces
to teach families and communities to change
their behaviour from drinking raw water to
drinking filtered water and using proper and
clean toilets.
Srey Touch, an 18 year old girl who joined the
water filter project in Khandal province said
“Previously, my family drinks raw water directly
without boiling or filtration like the time of our
grandparents. But I noticed that my family and
the people living in our community usually
have a lot of health problems like children
having intestinal problems, diarrhoea, typhoid
and even death caused by cholera. Doctors
suggested that we drink safe and clean water
but because it is difficult to find wood to boil
water and we are not happy to wait for the
boiled water to cool before drinking, my family
still have the same problem. We are getting so
poor as every month, my family spends a lot of
money to buy medicines.”
The idea of the project is to work with small
groups of people to educate other young
people who will then educate their parents.
The project funded the building of 80 water
filters and five toilets for Girl Guide members
and some families from poor communities.
From 2007, Girl Guide members were given
the message of the importance of drinking
clean water, basic knowledge of hand washing
and using toilets at every Girl Guide meeting.
This training was also included in the unit
Leaders training schedules. Water filters are
provided at every place where Girl Guide
weekly activities are held to encourage girls to
drink clean water.
The water filter project has brought changes to
the personal behaviours of Srey Touch’s
family and community.
“Right now, I can drink water as I want
because this water is safe and makes my
family healthy too”, Srey Touch said.
Girl Guides Association of Cambodia is very
thankful to Girl Guides Queensland (Gold
Coast Region) for their support in this project.
Every patrol in each Girl Guide unit in Gold
Coast Region of Girl Guides Queensland
raises $15 to fund the water filter project. Girl
Guides Cambodia also raises their own funds
for this project by having girls make crafts to
sell.
Joy Ord, member of Girl Guides
Australia who helped raise funds for this

13. 13
May 2013
project said “I believe strongly that unit leaders
of Girl Guides Association of Cambodia can
make important changes in people’s lives with
“small” things. A water filter is a small thing
really but it has big consequences for health.”
Girl Guides Association of Cambodia would
like to ensure the sustainability of this project
and to support more communities across the
country. To donate to this project, please
contact Girl Guides Association of Cambodia
at ggac@online.com.kh
Girl Scouts of Japan Peace Project Greener
x Greener
Girl Scouts of Japan launched the Greener
x Greener Peace Project in 2010. The project
uses profits earned from local action
programmes related to environmental
conservation in Japan to improve the
environment in refugee camps. This project
started with activities in Japan, but from 12-20
January 2013, the third year of the project, a
four-member delegation visited two refugee
camps near Cox's
Bazar in southern
Bangladesh, made
an inspection tour
and engaged in
activities to increase
the amount of
greenery in the camps.
Girl Scouts of Japan was delighted that it was
possible for the delegates to enter the refugee
camps on this visit and implement the
programme in cooperation with Uniqlo and
UNHCR whose activities are supported by
Japanese Girl Scouts.
At the site, the delegates were able to work
with the staff of Uniqlo and Bangladeshi NGOs
as well as the staff of UNHCR Cox's Bazar
Office, and in addition to implementing
activities to make the camps greener, it was
an opportunity to share as well, what the Girl
Scouts have organized in the refugee camps.
The activities implemented consisted in
planting fruit trees and other trees in the
vegetable gardens that were already there and
in the newly created Girl Scout Garden in
order to improve the environment in the
refugee camp; holding workshops to teach the
young people and camp scouts who act as
leaders in the camps about the importance of
the environment and conducting a survey on
the lives of the refugees.
Asumi Urushibata (29), a Girl Scout Leader
who was a member of the delegation, showed
her strong desire to contribute to activities in
Japan and abroad, saying, "We did nothing
more than look for places with the potential to
be used as fields and start to plough them. I
hope that the Greener x Greener project will
be continued so that the refugees will go on to
sow seeds, water them and watch them grow,
and that Japan and the refugee camps will be
lush and green."
The delegates will report on their visit to Girl
Scouts in Japan, encouraging them to think
about global environmental issues and the
issue of refugees, and Girl Scouts of Japan
will continue to work towards increasing the
greenery in Japan and in refugee camps.
Japan Disseminates the Value of Girls’
Education through a Forum
On 24 March 2013, Girl Scouts of Japan
(GSJ) held a forum under the theme of
“Empower girls, -girls can be empowered
further. The competency and environment
needed for girls who will build the future.”
106 participants including GSJ members and
non-member adults gathered at the National
Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo.
This forum contained a keynote address by
Mariko Bando, President of a women’s
university and women’s junior collage, under
the theme of “Develop women as global
leaders.”
During the
forum there
was a panel
discussion
by school
officials who
are experts
on girls’
education in
Japan and this included Teruko Wada,
member of the World Board of WAGGGS.
Parts of the result of a survey on girls’
education held by GSJ were reported in this
event, and there was also a video message
from Yuriko Koike, a member of the House of
Representatives of Japan and a former Girl
Scout.

14. 14
May 2013
In Japan, equal opportunity for girls and boys
in education is provided. Co-education has
been promoted following the war. Today,
almost 100% of public elementary schools,
and 96% of junior high schools and high
schools are co-educational schools. The
percentage of girls going on to high schools is
about the same as boys’. However, Japan
ranks 101st out of 135 countries in the Global
Gender Gap Index 2012. The proportion of
women in managerial posts and in politics is
especially very low. It clearly shows the issue
that women are educated academically but
not empowered enough in Japan. In addition,
the Japanese Boy Scout Association has been
accepting girls as their members since 1995.
Facing these facts, Girl Scouts of Japan
became strongly aware of the necessity to
indicate their intention to continue girl-only
activities to both members and non-members.
GSJ has formed a task group and is studying
this further.
To prove the effectiveness of the movement, a
survey was organized for teenage members
and non-members. The survey shows that
75.6% of Girl Scouts aged 15-18 are able to
work with other people positively while 58.1%.
of non-member girls said that they are able to
do the same. The same results for girls aged
12-15 were seen-- 64% of Girl Scouts while
50.7% of non-members answered yes. From
the results, GSJ found that Girl Scouts are
able to work with other people positively, to
accomplish something working together with
their peers, and to challenge them to allow
them to have self-affirmation. Also GSJ
focused on the fact that these girls have
experiences of co-operation, decision-making,
and to think and act for themselves. Further,
Girl Scouts have a wider variety of life
experiences than non-members.
One of the most important results of this
survey is that half of the girls surveyed, both
Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts, said they
could challenge more things in a single gender
environment. This ratio tends to increase as
they get older. Even more, 63% of boys
answered the same. Through the survey, Girl
Scouts described the meaning of the single
gender environment as follows: “We can do
anything that usually boys would do”, “When
we work with boys, girls tend to show only the
good side and they are afraid to fail. Then we
avoid doing the things we do not have enough
confidence in. But when we work with girls
only, we will try anything as much as we can.”
At the forum, a young leader said her Girl
Scout experience helped her in making a
decision when she faced a very difficult
circumstance in her life. From her words, all of
the participants were convinced that Girl
Scouting was meaningful. Also, one of the
participants said, “We often waiver in our usual
Girl Scout activities. But I reflected on the goal
and objectives of our movement and gained a
new perspective to work with girls through this
forum.”
Girl Guides Singapore Partners with Gardens by the Bay for “GB Ambassadors”, a new
Volunteer Engagement and Outreach Programme
On 16 February 2013, more than 9,000
members of the Girl Guides Singapore (GGS)
and their families celebrated World Thinking
Day with two new Garden Trails that were
jointly developed by GGS and Gardens by the
Bay (GBB) as part of the new “GB
Ambassadors” programme.
“GB
Ambassadors”
is a new
volunteer
engagement
and outreach
programme of
GBB, with
GGS as its inaugural partner. To
commemorate the launch of the programme
as well as the partnership between GGS and
GBB, a tree was planted by Mrs Mary Tan,
Patron of GGS, at the Gardens’ Fragile Forest.
Girl Guides and Brownies will have the
opportunity to be involved in different projects
at the Gardens, from Girl Guiding, to
facilitating programmes, to assisting in the
Gardens’ operations. For a start, 50 Girl
Guides from five units have been trained as
Garden guides to facilitate the two new
Garden Trails. The trails – “Nature and Me” for
Brownies and “Experiencing Nature” for Girl
Guides – consist of a series of fun and
educational activities that encourage children
and youth to explore the gardens and discover
its diversity of flora and fauna.
Moving forward, GGS and GBB will continue
to collaborate on various projects, including
expanding the series of Garden Trails for use

15. 15
May 2013
by schools and the public, and looking into the
content development for a new “GB
Proficiency Badge” for Girl Guides and
Brownies.
The partnership is part of GGS’ and GBB’
efforts to engage the young and to encourage
them to play an active role in Singapore’s
natural heritage. It is also in line with the
Ministry of Education’s 21st Century
Competencies, which seek to develop
students to become independent learners,
concerned citizens, active contributors and
confident individuals.
Mrs Chua Yen Ching, Chief Commissioner of
Girl Guides Singapore noted: “The theme for
World Thinking Day 2013 is “Forging Family
Ties” and this celebration is unique in that the
girls are celebrating it with their family
members in these beautiful Gardens. The
Garden Trails help strengthen the bond
between the parents and girls. Quality
relationship is essential in building strong
foundations of the family unit and I am sure
this will be a memorable event for everyone.”
Mrs Joy Balakrishnan, President of Girl Guides
Singapore stated: “This is an important and
strategic partnership with Gardens by the Bay
- for the girls to have access to the Gardens
for learning beyond school and for GGS to
share our expertise in developing the materials
for learning. In GGS, we remain committed to
the mission to enable girls and young women
to develop their fullest potential as responsible
citizens of the world.”
Dr Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer of
Gardens by the Bay, said, “Children have a
way of seeing things differently and the new
Garden Trails will give young people a whole
new perspective of looking at the Gardens.
Our GB Ambassadors programme is an
opportunity for the Gardens to engage the
young and to
nurture among
them a love for
nature and
biodiversity, while
developing
leadership skills
and a sense of
responsibility
towards the
community. We are
delighted to have
Girl Guides
Singapore as our
inaugural partner in
this programme.”
World Centres
FPax Lodge upcoming events
Imagine More Seminar
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts are ‘Imagining
More’ for the next 100 years. They’re
‘imagining more’ for the world in which they
live and ‘imagining more’ for their futures.
Would you like to gain skills, tools and
knowledge to help change your world for the
better?
Pax Lodge is leading an introductory seminar
and training on WAGGGS themes for young
women aged 18-25.
Imagine more for Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting,
imagine more for yourself, imagine more for
your community and imagine more for the
world!
Explore the Millennium Development Goals
and WAGGGS advocacy campaigns while
gaining an international perspective on how
these issues affect individuals, communities
and our world.
Taking place from 8 to 14 September 2013,
email programme@paxlodge.org for more
information.
New Year in London
Are you looking for a new way to bring in
another year? Have you always wanted to visit
London and see the famous world-class
firework display? Well now you have the
chance!
Why not join Pax Lodge’s New Years in
London event and pick and choose what
sessions and activities you want to take part
in? From ice-skating at a beautiful London
venue to learning how our international team
celebrates the New Year in their different
corners of the world, there’s no friendlier or
more exciting place to be when 2013 becomes
2014.
Email programme@paxlodge.org to join us –
quickly, before it’s too late!

16. 16
May 2013
Hot off the press!
It’s been a while since Pax Lodge has had an
Asia Pacific volunteer so we’re very excited to
announce that by the time you read this, we
will have a new Resident Volunteer from
Australia, Tandra. We’re looking forward to
welcoming her to the team!
Sangam's Community Programme
Have you ever wanted to volunteer for a great
organization and really make a difference, but
don't have 12 weeks to spare? Then Sangam
has just the thing for you! In addition to our 12
week Community Programme, we now have a
shorter four-week Programme. Participants in
the four-week Programme will jump right into
their volunteer experience with one of
Sangam's many Community Partners. You will
be paired with a 12-week participant and
immerse yourself in Indian culture and
tradition, while staying at Sangam World
Centre. For more information on the
Community Programme or scholarship
opportunities, visit
http://www.sangamworldcentre.org/en/progra
mmes/cp01 or contact
crm@sangamworldcentre.org.
Are You Ready to Be the Change?
Come to Sangam’s Be the Change event to
experience first-hand the advocacy and
community leadership our community partner
organizations are doing right here in India.
Make your own plan to take home and create
lasting change in your community. Join Girl
Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world
coming together to learn to be the change they
want to see in the world. And of course, get
the full World Centre experience of Sangam.
To book your space now, email
guestservices@sangamworldcentre.org or
check out
www.sangamworldcentre.org/en/programmes/
events/bethechange to see our future Be the
Change events.
Arts exChange
Sangam World Centre is excited to
announce a special event coming up in March
2014, the Arts exChange! This is an event for
people interested in changing the world and
connecting with other cultures through
art. Come together to connect, create and
share your artistic talent or your passion for
the arts. We’ll explore art in many forms.
Special guest facilitators include Girl Scout
singer, songwriter Melinda Caroll, known for
We Change the World and Ignite! To apply for
this exciting event, send a creative expression
of interest to wcm@sangamworldcentre.org by
30 September 2013 or before, spaces for this
event will be filled on a rolling basis. For more
details, visit
http://www.sangamworldcentre.org/en/events/
20982.
Asia Pacific Scholarship
In 2012 Sangam was delighted to welcome
five Amy Bush Bursary participants from the
Asia Pacific Region. They participated in our
Community Programme, Gifts for Change and
Be the Change events. If you would like to
take advantage of this scholarship, only
available to the Asia Pacific Region, ask your
International Commissioner for more
information.
Party Time at Sangam!
Every year Sangam gets older, but the party
gets bigger! October 2013 will be our 47th
birthday, and we've already started planning
for our 50th
birthday in 2016. We have more
than one surprise in store for our golden
birthday, so reserve your spot today! Contact
guestservices@sangamworldcentre.org for
more information.

17. 17
May 2013
Condolences
The Asia Pacific Region is saddened by the
untimely demise of Mrs. Mereani Cama,
Deputy Chief Commissioner Fiji Girl Guides
Association last 26 May 2013.
Mrs. Cama has been
instrumental in
helping build Fiji Girl
Guides Association
into a strong and
leading organization
for girls and young
women in Fiji. She
also attended two
Pacific Strategic
Meetings: 2009 PS
Meeting in Brisbane & the 2010 PS Meeting in
New Zealand. She also represented FGGA in
the APR Conference in 2007 in Malaysia.