President Tsai Ing-wen opened the National Scout Jamboree July 1 in Taichung City, extending a warm welcome to members of the movement from 17 countries and territories attending the 11th edition of the event in central Taiwan.
 
It is a real honor to be here in the capacity of chief scout, Tsai said. The last national jamboree was held seven years ago, and to stage one of the biggest events of its kind in Taiwan at Cheng-kung Ling Camp—or Success Ridge as it is better known locally—is quite special, she added.
 
According to the president, the theme of the jamboree Scouting to Success, as well as the fact it is taking place at a military base where generations of Taiwan college students underwent training, augurs well for scouts from around the world to deepen friendships and expand exchanges.
 
Scouting activities are important for youth education and development, Tsai said, adding that she wants participants to keep three main ideas in mind during the five-day jamboree wrapping up July 5: Be brave when faced with new people and experiences; learn from teamwork and help each other; and make friends from other countries.
 
Scouting builds bridges between nations and it is hoped all and sundry make full use of this valuable opportunity, the president said. Also, it is expected scouts from Taiwan will shoulder the added responsibility of showing friends from abroad what makes our nation such a distinct place, she added.
 
Headquartered in Taipei City, Taiwan’s scout association was founded in 1912. It boasts a membership of nearly 50,000 and is affiliated with the Geneva-based World Organization of the Scout Movement.
 
The origins of scouting can be traced back to an experimental camp staged in 1907 at Dorset in the U.K. by Lt. Gen. Robert Baden-Powell. The British officer was decorated by Queen Victoria for his successful defense of Mafeking, or Mahikeng, from October 1899 to May 1900 in the present-day South African province of North West during the Boer War and authored “Scouting for Boys,” the movement’s “bible.” (JSM)