The ASEAN Red Cross Youth Gathering was organized by the Thailand Red Cross and the Red Cross Youth Promotion and Development Group of the Bureau of Scout Movement Red Cross Youth and Student Affairs in the Ofï¬ce of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education. It was held from 8-12 September 2015 at Vajiravudh Scout Camp, Siracha, Chonburi Province, Thailand. A total of 4,500 people comprising of participants from ASEAN countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos PDR, and Vietnam attended the camp. There were 12 participations from Cambodia including Ms. Kong Rathana, University Registrar and Red Cross Youth Advisor at UC, Ms. Soun Khanra, University of Cambodia Cam-bodian Red Cross Youth, two advisors and six Cambodian Red Cross Youth from Battambang and Pailin Province. The group was led by Mr. Sou Sokna, Youth Program Coordinator of the Cambodian Red Cross.
Before departure, the Cambodian delegates met and received recommendations from H.E. Sam Ko-sal, Director of HR Department at the Red Cross Headquarters in Phnom Penh, and H.E. Sao Sarath, Deputy Governor of Pailin Province and Vice President of the Red Cross Branch in Pailin.
The event began with an inaugural ritual in front of the Vajiravudh Scout Camp. The opening cer-emony followed in the evening, and was presided over by Mr. Watcharin Jumpee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education, Ms. Churairat Sangboonnum, Former Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education and Di-rector of the Red Cross Youth Camp, and Mr. Sachathorn Watanamongkol, Director of the Bureau of Scout Movement, Red Cross Youth and Student Affairs, Ministry of Education, Thailand. Cultural performances were presented by each group of the sub-camp and each ASEAN country as well.
In the event, there were 14 sub-camps all attended by the Red Cross Youth leaders, members from overseas, and 13 regional education ofï¬ces under the supervision of the Thai Ministry of Education. The objective was to provide participants with knowledge and life skills, to conduct cultural exchanges among ASEAN member countries, and also to nurture their sense of responsibility and problem solving skills.
During the camps, youth delegates from ASEAN countries were divided into six groups consisting of people from different countries. Participants enjoyed learning in the ï¬ve in-site programs and one off-site program. Participants enjoyed activities organized by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) focusing on health, sanitation, and safety; the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) focusing on the concept of organizing Red Cross/Red Cross Youth activities on humanitarian values; the Global Development Village (GDV) focusing on technology, science, energy, natural resources
and environment preservation, and voluntary activities; the ASEAN Community (AC) focusing on relationships and mutual understanding in ASEAN based on food, culture, music, and general knowledge; Excursion (EXC) focusing on marine-life experience enhancement (off-site program); Hiking and Adventure (HKA) focusing on in-site program trails for Red Cross Youth in uniform (walk rally, activity bases, time check, etc).
After joining the camp ASEAN Red Cross Youth Members were very happy because they have learned a lot about how to live in the camp, eat Thai food, and build their communication skills. Also, they have built many life experiences. In addition, we enjoyed the camp very much even though it was raining very heavily during our camping experience.
All participating Red Cross Youth members are highly encouraged to adapt and apply the knowledge and experience gained from the camp in their daily lives. More importantly, they should focus on unity, which is considered a great power for the nation. The gatherings motto was, “Voluntary Service Leads to Peace,” meaning that our ASEAN Community must become a caring and sharing community, which will ultimately lead to living in peace and harmony together.
Last but not least, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Samdech Kittibrithbindt Bun Rany Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Red Cross, for supporting and sponsoring; and H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, President of the University of Cambodia, for sending us to join this useful camp.
