It has been a long journey for the Pathfinder Scouts Vietnam (PSV) to return to the World Scout Conference. Scouts in Vietnam are making a historic comeback at the Conference two years after rejoining the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in January 2019. Vietnam lost its official WOSM membership in 1975 as a consequence of the war in the 1960s and 70s which halted Scouting activities. Today Scouting in Vietnam is experiencing a strong resurgence with more than 6,000 Scouts actively engaged through Scouting’s Youth Programme in the country.
Like the rest of the world, Vietnam is dealing with impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health and safety restrictions have prevented PSV delegates from gathering together in-person, but the delegation remains connected by joining the Conference virtually and meeting online every day to prepare and exchange experiences.
“The Conference is very interesting. We have learned many useful things, but hard work is required,” said Nguyen Tuan, Head of Delegation and International Commissioner of PSV. “The biggest opportunity is for each individual to transform himself and herself in accordance with the concepts of the Conference.”
WOSM’s Secretary General Ahmad Alhendawi formally welcomed Vietnam back to the Movement as a new Member Organization highlighting the growth and resilience of Scouting in the country over the past few decades. “I would like to thank all the volunteers in the Asia-Pacific Region who have supported this long process and continue to extend support for the unity and development of Scouting in Vietnam. We look to the future of Scouting in this beautiful country with great anticipation.”
Following the Conference, delegates will set their sights on the future of Scouting in Vietnam, taking the lessons, policies and knowledge gained during the event to implement at all levels of the National Scout Organization’s operations and programming.
