Basic Training Course for Rover Leaders

We are Scouts, We are Messengers of Peace! 

On July 8 – 10, 2022, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines conducted a Basic Training Course for Rover Leaders at JMI Farm, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, Philippines. During this training course, the Messengers of Peace program initiative was introduced to the participants. 

A myriad of activities and topics were introduced to craft and gear towards the initiatives of Messengers of Peace in terms of:

1. Peace-building
2. Diversity and Inclusion
3. Humanitarian Action
4. Culture and Heritage
5. Civic Engagement

This training course enabled us to share the initiatives through the following subject matters:

1. Peace-building

The Dialogue for Peace was discussed by our Course Leader, Bonifacio Train, and emphasized the importance of engaging in a dialogue. That through dialogue, we can learn to find similarities unnoticed before, and even come to respect and sometimes appreciate differences. Through dialogue, we come together as human beings first to find inclusive solutions to the challenges we face today. The Dialogue for Peace program invites scouts to discover how they can incorporate dialogue into their everyday lives. With the help of the activities in the Dialogue for Peace guidelines, Scouts can be empowered with the skills and competencies that enable them to actively participate in the decision-making and resolution of community issues for sustainable development. 

2. Diversity and Inclusion

The topic of the Better World Framework was discussed by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Adult Resources Executive, Yasser Sarona, and emphasized how these activities and initiatives help shape the world we live in and by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. During the course of his topic, he placed importance on the HeForShe movement as a means to promote diversity and inclusion in the organization. And that as Rover Scout Leaders, it is our duty to inculcate this attribute to our Scouts in the field.

3. Humanitarian Action

This relevant subject was discussed by one of the WOSM consultants on Humanitarian Action which is Broderick Train. He injected Disaster Risk Reduction Management in his lecture to connect with how Scouts should be able to handle different areas of disasters in the communities. He further emphasized how Scouts can be of service during crises and how to be disaster-ready.

4. Culture and Heritage

Part of the discussion during the Better World Framework topic was the Patrimonito Scout Badge which encourages Scouts to preserve the culture and heritage of our historical sites in the country. He further placed importance that as Scouts we can be heritage guardians by spreading more information about the historical values of these places and cultures.

5. Civic Engagement

Part of the program in the Rover Scouting section of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is their action in the communities they serve. The topic of managing projects was discussed by the Secretary-General, Rogelio Villa, Jr., in this subject, the Rover Scout Leaders were trained on how to approach the communities and assess the needs and further develop projects that can alleviate the situation in their area. 

Furthermore, as Rover Scout Leaders, we trained them by aligning our projects with the Sustainable Development Goals. This topic was shared by our Chief National Commissioner, Cedrick Train. He spotlighted that as Messengers of Peace we can build our ground by targeting the SDGs on:

SDG #2: Zero Hunger

SDG #4: Quality Education

SDG #5: Gender Equality

SDG #16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals

Towards the end of the training course, the participants pledged to support the Scouting Movement and the Messengers of Peace Initiatives by being Nation Builders and creating more projects in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, Philippines. And during this training course, it was also declared by the owners of JMI Farm, Vice Mayor Hon. Jay Manalo Ilagan and Mayor Hon. Janet Ilagan that the property of JMI Farm will be a Better World Framework Discovery Site Learning Hub and Youth United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) Challenge Center. This initiative was supported by the Members of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines namely:

1. Chief National Commissioner – Cedrick G. Train
2. International Commissioner – David Dominic M. Lanuza
3. NEB Member – Lauro Reuben C. Delas Llagas