SUB . UMBRA . FLOREO.

scoutiar.infoscout.org/interamerica

No. 31

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The end of 2014 is approaching and as we begin to take stock of what has happened over ‘him’ we take a look back and remember every moment, some bitter and others very nice. Perhaps the balance is tilted towards one of the two, which will leave us with a feeling that this year was not very good and that the other is upon us, waiting to bring us more joy than sadness, or perhaps the feeling we experience is that the year was good enough and hopefully will continue being so.

Life is made of moments, every second we live is unique. There will be some of these moments that we want to pass quickly, others to pass more slowly. However, in the end, what matters is that we get to live them and learn from them.

Our life is really short. We have a few years to enjoy this life, everything around us, everything that has been given to us. There is so much we have to thank the Lord for every day that there should be no room to complain or express bad feelings against others. We do not know when we will leave this world and all its wonders, therefore we must Be Prepared for when that momento comes, then we can be pleased to have interacted in time and space with lots of people among us, who may not share our thinking or our tastes. We would be satisfied to have known more than the four walls where we live every day, having enjoyed the blue sky, the stars, the endless sea, forests, deserts, mountains, lakes and rivers. It would please us to have made each day one in which we express our love to others, of having done something to grow and become a better person.

There is so much in our favor that even at the most difficult and stormy times they remain impressive. We need to appreciate this and open our eyes to all that we are given every day to live intensely and make a daily commitment to contribute to others through our actions, because of how much we have received.

Raúl Sánchez VacaRegional Director

World Scout BureauInteramerican Region

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Adventure and excitement, cultural exchange and friendship are the few words I found to express for this exciting trip to the Swiss Alps that is so difficult to explain, since it is these kinds of things you have to explore during your own life to attain an understanding of the experience.

It all started when I began to feel chills running through my body while riding the train to Kandersteg, not on the way to the airport for the plane ride, but there, the moment I noted as the beginning of my true adventure. Looking out the window and watching the mountains I did feel closer to my destination.

When I set foot on the soil of Kandersteg, my first expression was “Oh, my God, I’m really here, in the Swiss Alps”, without having the slightest idea of what I really expected at Kandersteg International Scout Center, better known as KISC. It’s an impressive view looking at the mountains from the village. I miss watching that visual beauty that I was experiencing at the time. Arriving at KISC, the welcome was warm and all new visitors looked happy and alert. After the initial tedious paperwork, we continued along the road to the campground. I thought “I’m going to get lost here so I hope no one sends me anywhere by myself.” At first I felt a little lost, not only because of the environment but because I did not know what lay ahead. That uncertainty and anxiety I felt at that time I never stopped feeling throughout the camp. It was always different, exciting and enriching from one activity to the other.

My first hike in the Alps was to Oeschinensee. It was neither easy nor hard but 100% of physical effort is needed when in these places. Every time I walked through the mountains I did not know what to feel, see, nor how to act ... I was stunned, my instinct telling me to keep walking.

At an intercultural evening, where we met not only the IRW, but each of the persons who were at KISC everything was ready. There was food, games, stories and information about each country represented. This was no doubt a rewarding and learning experience.

Another walk in which I participated, lasted 2 days to reach Lötschenpass, the highest mountain connecting Bern and Valais. No doubt this was the hardest, tiring, excitement-full and pleasant walk I’ve had in my life.

If there was something that I did not know was that the body has its limits. I was full of energy, my body said enough, a break, but I wanted to do more. The day after the hardest hike was a free day, but at least I did was stay in bed and rested. I put on my shoes and went with some Spanish friends to a different peak in the Alps, Jegertosse. This hike was worth every muscle ache I experienced along the way, every time I said “My muscles hurt me too”. It was different, beautiful and simply stunning. But no, it was not enough to just go to Jegertosse. During the descent, we decided to divert to another hostel called Doldenhornhütte step. This road was very steep, where parties felt extreme fear and excitement and at every point of the Alps, the breathtaking view.

These were some of the many experiences I had during my stay in KISC, where I discovered feelings I had never experienced before and this kind of adventure really stands out in one’s life and is beneficial. I am hoping to return for the celebration of 100 years. What can one expect?

Rover Week in KISC The experience of Melissa

Pantone 247 cv Pantone 347 cv Pantone 130 cv

Melissa Sue Sancho Oconitrillo

Guides and Scouts of Costa Rica - Group #10

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Trees for the World is a project of Messengers of Peace created by Scouts from the Interamerican Scout Region. From 26 April, it was attended by more than 3,324 scouts nationwide who came to plant more than 10,000 trees in Venezuela. Now imagine if 3,324 scouts managed to plant 10,000 trees, how many trees would be planted by all the scouts of Venezuela? It would be a great help to our country and will give our planet a boost.

The project idea was initiated during an exchange of ideas on common problems afflicting our nations at the First American Leadership Training (ILT Interamerican Leadership Training) in Houston, Texas. The consensus reached was that the most common problem of our nations is related to the environment, so what is the best way to help solve this problem? Trees!

Planting and caring for trees can be a great family and community activity. You will enjoy watching them grow and feel proud when you see in the future the trees you planted providing shade and fresh air. With its beautiful greenery and colorful when in bloom, the trees add grace and beauty to our community. They make a house feel like a home.

In Venezuela there was a large participation of both young scouts and organizations, institutions and the community, joining forces to work together and achieve the visión of the Movement to build a better world.

The project was to run until May 31, giving the opportunity for all scouts, groups, districts or regions nationwide to join this great initiative which is called Trees for the World: A Scout A Tree

Venezuela says Trees for the World!

Carlos Córdova

Scout Association of Venezuela

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Water (H2O). It is essential for the survival of all known forms of life on our planet; Water covers 71% of the surface of the terrestrial crust. Water is not only an element of this planet, it’s a common element in the solar system, a fact confirmed by recent discoveries. It can be found mainly in the form of ice; in fact, the basis of comets and material of their their tails.

But its importance is vital to our planet and our survival since our bodies begin to die after 3 days without this vital liquid. The entire planet would face an apocalypse if this becomes too scarce. It is a duty and a right to take care of drinking water and that it reaches every citizen of the planet. Because it was important to create an awareness of the importance of saving, caring and conserving water the American Day of Water was celebrated for the first time in 1993 and continues to be celebrated annually the first Saturday of October.In 1992, at the urgent need to sensitize the people of the American continent on the importance of water in our lives, the Declaration of the Inter-American Water Day was signed. In 1993 it was held for the first time and continues to be acknowkwdged annually on the first Saturday of October.

Only 3% of Earth’s water is sweet, of which 1% is in rivers and lakes and 2% as ground water and ice caps. Of that potable water, about 900 million people worldwide do not have access to it, while another 2,500 million have no kind of sanitation.

Globally, and particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, water management is a vital issue. Vital because we must reverse the situation that have plagued millions of people without access to drinking water. Vital because thousands of families lack adequate sanitation services. Vital because services are still deficient and do not ensure quality water. Vital because we must prevent further avoidable deaths occurring among children in the region. Vital, in short, because we increasingly undrstand that the provision of safe water is essential for the development of our countries. As mentioned, in 1992, because of the urgent need to sensitize the people of the American continent on the importance of water in our lives, the Declaration of the Inter-American Water Day was signed.

Three organizations, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIIS) and the Caribbean Association of Water and Wastewater (CWWA) signed the Declaration at the XXIII Inter AIDIS, held in Havana, Cuba. In 2002 the Organization of American States (OAS) joined this initiative.

Liquid LifeWater’s International Day

un.org.es

explora.cl

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Violence is a complex concept that supports various nuances depending on the angle from which it is considered. In this sense, its application to reality sometimes depends on subjective assessments. The essential element in violence is the damage, both physical and psychological, which occurs in many ways and is also associated with various forms of destruction: physical injury, humiliation, threats, rejection, etc.

The UNO established October 2 to celebrate the International Day of Non-Violence in homage to the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the independence movement of India and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The primary purpose was to spread the message and the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire of every nation to achieve a culture of peace, understanding and respect.

Non-violence is much more than a practice, tactics, strategy or ways of doing things. Non-violence is a political ideology which involves renouncing the use of violence, either as objective, methodology, method of protest, practice of social struggle, or in response to the same violence.

According to the resolution A / RES / 61/271 of the General Assembly of the United Nations, from June 15, 2007, it established the commemoration of this International Day as an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, through education and public awareness.”

In short this is an alternative option that aims to “humanize” humanity, that is, a belief in the power of life. Some people do not use violence, either physical or because they find it psychic mind difficult or impossible, or because their religious, moral or ethical beliefs prevent it. However, non-violence is much more than not being violent. It is seeking alternatives to reduce suffering and injury among living beings and thus achieve the ultimate dream of Humanity, World Peace.

Non-ViolenceInternational Day

“There are many causes that I am prepared to die, but none of which I am willing to kill” t

Mahatma Gandhi.

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Looking for something on the history of our Movement, we came across this interesting note that we share with you.

The Scout Movement was created 107 years ago. Since then it has been spread to more than 165 countries and is currently estimated to have 40 million members. Despite being the largest youth movement in the world and so many years have passed since its formation, there has been created a misleading picture of Scouts because of misinformation, the influence of the media and the misinterpretation of the activities undertaken. Therefore, to eliminate many of the false beliefs that circulate in society, we bring you the top 8 most common myths about Scouts.

1. Selling Cookies. Since cinema has come to everyone, this image is associated with the Scouts (also known in some countries by the name of “explorers”), selling cookies door to door. This assertion is false, however, as one of the purposes of the Movement is to form citizens capable of being independent, when necessary, self-governments is organised towards reducing the costs of activities that are planned to be held.

2. Helping elderly to cross the Street. This is another myth that the media has projected of young people involved in the Movement. This statement is not completely wrong, however. It is important to note that among our objectives is to help others regardless of age, race, sex or social status. It would be wrong to say that Scouts only help seniors to cross the street.

3. Get badges. It is believed that all scouts receive a badge for any activity undertaken, for example, making a knot, planting a tree, cleaning up a park, etc . The reality is that it is not as simple as it seems, because scouts between the ages of 7 and 21 must follow a “personal progression”. It is a series of activities that the young must undertake in the course of his life as a Scout, and to the extent that they will fulfill the goals that are required, they will get their badges.

4. Create fires with only two sticks. This question is very often asked of Scouts. Despite the curiosity of those outside the movement, it is important to note that within the methodology used is learning the basic techniques of camping, pioneering (practice of knots and ties) and exploration; and it’s optional, for the youth or adult, if they decide to learn more complex topics such as making fire by the friction of two sticks.

5. Are Scouts fools? It has been discussed for long whether Scouting is a Movement for fools. This is certainly and completely untrue, since the Scout Movement seeks to train boys and girls able to face life as good citizens. This is done through activities that encourage teamwork, adventure and leadership, as well as the physical, mental and spiritual development. If this were not so, great characters of history would not have been part of the Scouts. As it were: Nelson Mandela (former President), Neil Armstrong (Astronaut), Michael Jordan (Basketball Player), John F. Kennedy (former President), Walt Disney (Producer), Paul Mc Carney (Singer), Alejandro Sanz (Singer), Harrison Ford (Actor), Bear Grills (TV Showman), David Beckham (Footballer). This is just a short list of famous people who are or were Scouts. Do you still think Scouting is for fools?

6. Do Scouts like servitude? Many times people confuse the real work of Scouts in service to their communities. Contrary to popular belief, the Scout Method is aimed at training young people to be useful and helpful, to be able to think, plan and execute projects towards improving their communities, which is completely opposite to the notion that scouts are servants. The service activities are not planned because of the desire of a few, but in solving a problem, with the participation of the citizens of the same community.

7. A Movement only for Youth? To the surprise of many, the Scouts Movement is open to any individual, regardless of their age. The presence of adult Scouts is very much needed so they may contribute to the training and monitoring of young people.

8. Our uniform. For many people outside the movement, our uniform is an object of redicule, ignorant of the fact that each of the symbols and badges creating the uniform has meaning beyond a simple piece of cloth. In the same vein, the scarf represents the commitment made to stay and continue the legacy of our Founder Baden Powell. This is better known as the “Scout Promise.” When the Scout uniform is being worn there are no jokes that cause anger, because we know we are proudly working to build a Better World.

If you still have questions and you want to experience new things, make friends and help build a better world. We invite you to participate in any of our activities and discover for yourself the Scout life. Do not let them tell you about the Scouts, find it yourself.

Myths of the Scout Movement After 107 years

Brigitte Leal

Scout Association of Ecuador

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Every year since 1994, diplomats and leaders from over a hundred countries around the world gather to negotiate at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP). Their key objective is straightforward: they need to agree to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to stabilize the current rate of global warming to a 2° C increase in global temperatures by the end of the century. According to scientists, exceeding that would lead to a catastrophic scenario. Unfortunately, that is the current predicted scenario if we don’t act quickly to change our current business-as-usual practices. Indeed, the Green Planet article in a recent edition of Mundus Novus (Mundus Novus 29, page 10) stressed how NASA scientists announced that the melting of glaciers in West Antarctica has reached a point of no return.

With stakes so high, global leaders are now planning special measures and events to draw attention to climate change in light of the disappointing outcomes of previous COPs and the notable failure of the Copenhagen Accord to deliver a fair, ambitious and binding treaty. The governments of Poland, Peru and France (the Troika), who will each be presiding COP19 to COP21 respectively, have been working together in hopes of achieving a successful outcome at COP21 in Paris in 2015. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of the City of New York and an Eagle Scout, as his Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change.

World Scouting has attended the climate change conferences since the 15th COP in 2009. The Scouts of the Interamerican region have one of the best participation records for Scout delegations to the COPs and have attended almost all of them since that time. With COP20 coming this year December 1-12 to Lima, Peru, it is a great opportunity for Scouts as well to take action on climate change.

Although we often only link climate change to warmer temperatures and rising sea levels, a deeper look in its effect leads to a disturbing array of impacts in our lives, but also in our Scout activities. When I recently renewed my First Aid training for my Scouts in Canada, our trainer shared with us how warmer weather has introduced new pests to Canada’s forests, pests that pose a risk to the health of

our young Scouts. These parasites were never seen before due to Canada’s cold winters, but they are now present when we go camping. It is not difficult to imagine how with warmer weather and more intense rain patterns, disease vectors like mosquitoes could expand further around the world, threatening to offset any gains the world has made in development through the Millennium Development Goals. With forecasts of more frequent and intense extreme weather events such as hurricanes, there have also been more reports of flooded campsites, and even water damage to the basements of schools and churches where many Scout groups host their weekly activities.

Other consequences of climate change impacting lives include increased droughts, forest fires, and heat waves. As Scouts, we are also Messengers of Peace, and we should consequently heed attention when global military leaders announce climate change as a threat to peace and stability. Rising sea levels lead to forced population displacements, migration and in the worst case, climate refugees (http://caribbeanclimateblog.com/2014/06/04/global-military-leaders-say-climate-change-is-multiplying-threats-to-peace-and-stability/). For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that over 600 million people living on coastal areas in Latin America and the Caribbean will be affected by rising sea levels (http://350.org/impacts-of-climate-change-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-5-things-you-need-to-know/).

The United Nations Climate Change talks are coming to Peru!Nhattan Nguyen

Student Researcher at McGill University on

Scouting and Development.

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A mission of creating a better world is not an easy one. To be a leading youth movement means we need to understand and participate in the global dialogues about world challenges, such as the climate talks of the UNFCCC, and work with global partners. Why and how is climate mitigation and adaptation important? How exactly are governments implementing UNFCCC Article 6: Education, Training, and Public Awareness? What is the work of the United Nations Alliance on Climate Change Education, Training and Public Awareness and how can Scouts take part in a global effort agreed by governments to enhance public participation and awareness on climate change? Indeed, making an impact requires us to explore what more can be done beyond planting trees and switching off the lights for an hour. With water and energy security threatened by melting glaciers, can we work with strategies Environment Ministries have laid out in the last June Session of the ADP (Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action) on renewable energy and energy efficiency?

At the recently concluded World Scout Conference, Ahmad Alhendawi, the UN Secretary General Envoy on Youth (also a former Scout!), declared World Scouting as a Strategic Partner of the UN. Resolutions at Scout conferences have effectively reflected the need to enhance our participation in global processes to gain better insight and improve our activities and programming. Resolution 13-14 adopted at the 25th Interamerican Scout Conference (September 2013, Buenos Aires) on “External relations of the World Organization of the Scout Movement at the global and regional level” calls “to establish general positions about environment, peace, social development and human rights at a regional and sub-regional level that provide adequate orientation to delegates of WOSM to international forums in America” (such as COP20 in Peru). Proposed Resolution N “Advocating for a Better World” at the 40th World Scout Conference also proposes to allocate resources to improve advocacy of Scouts in global platforms, acknowledging that WOSM is a member of the youth constituency of the UNFCCC.

In the next few months, the Interamerican region will become a global hotspot for climate actions and discussions. There is of course the COP20 in December in Lima, Peru, where over 6000 participants

are expected. Additionally, this coming September 21st, the “largest climate march in history” is scheduled to take place in the streets of New York City (www.peoplesclimatemarch.org). It is in great anticipation of Ban Ki-moon convening a special Climate Summit this upcoming September 23 in New York in hopes of getting countries to announce or increase their GHG emissions reduction targets. The government of Venezuela has also been inviting many civil society organizations to build a movement, in preparation of COP20, at a second phase of the Social pre-COP. Finally, youth organizations in Peru have also been planning the 10th Conference of Youth (COY10) to precede the COP in Lima. Any youth can participate at COY10 by registering at http://www.coy10peru.com/en/be-part.php.

Climate change is a threat to the health and wellbeing of people around the world. We can no longer afford to treat it as a “cause”. WOSM has even acknowledged that “Climate Change Threatens Scouting Way of Life” (http://scout.org/node/6201?language=es). The upcoming events this year, especially the 20th Climate Change Conference in Lima, presents a golden opportunity for Scouts across the region to participate and make a substantive contribution to what the UN refers to as the ‘defining challenge of our age’.

United Nations talkson climate change

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Soft drinks are today, one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, especially among young people.Consumption begins at an early age and increases during adolescence. They are known in different countries as soda or soft drink.

They are flavored, effervescent beverage containing no alcohol. These drinks are a major problem for our health; they are a major risk factor for overall health, contributing, no doubt, to overweight and obesity. They also increase the risk of osteoporosis, dental, kidney and heart problems and other diseases.

Many times have you would have heard that soda contains a high amount of sugar but, what is the actual concentration of sugar in soft drinks?

Soft drinks contain large amounts of refined sugar. A can of 325 ml of non-diet soft drink contains about 33 grams of sugar (rapidly absorbed carbohydrates), the equivalent of 11 teaspoons. Can you imagine such a concentration of refined sugar? Refined sugar refers to white sugar (sucrose) syrup or high fructose corn. High intake of sugar causes dental problems and increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, overweight, osteoporosis and other diseases that can cause short and long term damage to your body.

But if you think you changed your diet and leaving aside traditional sodas and choosing an apparent “healthy” choice, such as diet soft drinks, you need to know that this chemical cocktail goes beyond what you see with the naked eye. Yes, some diet sodas and cold tea have no calories that is totally true but this is compensated with a sweet cocktail that confuses your body using artificial sweeteners that have a more intense flavor than traditional sugar; therefore, over time, products like diet soda diminish our ability to taste foods sweetened naturally as fruits. Even more worrying is the fact that it has been shown that these substitutes have the same effect as refined sugar in your body. “Artificial sweeteners trigger insulin, which puts your body into fat accumulation mode, and this leads to an immediate weight gain.”Taking a diet soda a day causes an increase of 36% in the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, according to a study by the University of Minnesota.

Metabolic syndrome describes a group of conditions (including high blood pressure, high glucose levels, high cholesterol, and a broad waist circumference), which puts people at high risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Only one diet soft drink a day could increase the risk of having a cardiac problem, such as stroke, heart attack or vascular death.From now on, think very well when you’re in a restaurant, meeting or party. What to accompany your meal? Remember that not everything is what it says. Read the labels and remember, learn more. The best drink for excellence is always water.

HEALTHA Refreshing Poison

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Fire for Peace:In our capacity as Peace Embassy (distinction awarded by the Milmilenios Foundation for Peace and PEA) a Scout Campfire to celebrate the World Day of Peace was organized under the theme “Peace begins with a smile”

Between songs and dances of the Scout Movement participants were invited to reflect on the value of peace and its establishment.

In this event the new members were also awarded the Diploma of Messenger of Peace and logo “Peace Embassy” as a sign of commitment.

Preserving the Planet:This project is the unification of three previous projects of the group: “Tissera Identity”; “Recycle Paper” and “200 years for a Cleaner Argentina”. This project is part of the World Scout Environment Programme. It aims to help preserve the environment awareness based on three actions:

+ COLLECTING OIL+RECYCLING PAPER+RECYCLING of bottle caps

Collection of Oil: It is estimated that each liter of oil can contaminate up to 1,000 gallons of water so we need to reduce this impact and the CO2 emissions by encouraging the use of alternative fuels. 95% of oil that can be transformed into Biodiesel and the remaining 5% industrial detergent. To carry out this campaign in 2010 we entered into an agreement with the Cooperative BIOCOOP. This Cooperative is a group of Technical Chemical and Environmental RBA Hurlingham, Bella Vista.

Paper Recycling: Day by Day forests around the world are being used to meet basic human needs. One of them is the production of paper for different uses. Globally some 4,000 billion trees are consumed each year.

Recycling paper helps control waste problems, also adding recycled wood fibers is an action that allows us to care for and conserve forest resources. Paper has the advantage of being recycled 5 or 7 times because of its properties.

Every ton of recycled paper saves about 3 cubic meters of landfill space, leading in many cases to savings in the economic aspect as well.

Source: Father Tissera Scout Group.

“Father Tissera” Scout GroupScouts of Argentina

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Calendario RegionalRegional Calendar 2014

OCTUBRE / OCTOBER

22 - 25

-Curso Profesional para Scouters (MoP)

-Professional Scouters Course (MoP)

Panamá

DICIEMBRE / DECEMBER

26 -1 Enero/January

-Interamerican Leadership Training United States

ENERO/JANUARY

6 - 8

-Sesión Ordinaria del Comité Scout Interamericano.

-Ordinary Session of Interamerican Scout Committee.

Panamá

FEBRERO / FEBRUARY

23 – 26

-Curso Nivel 2 de Formación de Formadores.

-Trainer of Trainers Level 2 Course.

El Salvador

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Tell us at:interamerica@scout.org

You can be part of the Official Newsletter ofInteramerican Region. Send us your stories about any activity that has taken place in your National Scout Organization so the world will know it.

This newsletter was made with the contribution and the effort of:

• Luis F. Bethancourt• Ramón Guerra• Melissa Sue Sancho Oconitrillo• Carlos Córdova• Brigitte Leal• Nhattan Nguyen

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