Successful WSF Investor Conference & BP Fellowship Event!

The World Scout Foundation Investor Conference and 72nd Baden-Powell Fellowship Event, held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, 4–7 April 2019, has come to a successful close.

The event generated an incredible 74 new Baden-Powell Fellows plus 17 Members of the Honours Programme and the vast majority were present at the stunning Gala Dinner, on Saturday evening, to be officially recognized by His Majesty The King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, and Mr Lars Kolind, WSF Chairman.

Lars Kolind gave the opening address, highlighting the role of the Foundation in supporting the development of Scouting worldwide, and Scouting’s role as the greatest leadership development programme in the world. His Excellency Ban Ki Moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Honorary Chairman of the Korea Scout Association, also gave an address, mentioning his time as a Scout and the particular importance of Scouts in environmental leadership.

"Being a Scout has taught me many important skills, disciplines and a sense of responsibility to our society. These experiences have served me well throughout my life especially in the world of diplomacy and particularly while serving as Secretary General at the United Nations," said His Excellency Ban Ki Moon.

The toast was given by Dr Hahm Jong Han, President of the Korea Scout Association. Close to 250 guests were stunned by two magnificent performances of “Gwang Tal” (media, masked dance and b-bopping) and Taekwondo by the Seoul Midong Elementary School.

During His closing address, His Majesty The King of Sweden reflected on his phenomenal 42 years as Honorary Chairman and His continuing involvement in supporting the Movement. He noted the 1.1 billion hours of service already contributed by Scouts, since 2013, through local community projects, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are creating impact and changing lives for the better, and He welcomed the pledge to deliver an additional 3 billion by 2030. His Majesty alluded to the incredible Scouts who had spoken at the previous evening’s Investor Seminar, and declared that "they are role-models for everyone". An additional highlight of the evening was the presentation by Nepalese Scout, Mr Prakash Raj Pandey, of the Messengers of Peace flag that he took to the summit of Mount Everest, to His Majesty the King of Sweden.

The Investor Seminar itself was held on 5 April, on the 76th floor of the Lotte World Tower, the fifth highest building in the world! Ms Katie Hancock, a Baden-Powell Fellow, Messengers of Peace Hero Award recipient and Scout from the United States of America, gave the opening address, and seven Scouts from the Asia-Pacific Region shared their very personal experiences of Scouting with a captive audience. Lars Kolind gave the closing address, reflecting on the importance of leadership for the world at large, and true value of investing in Scouting. The audience was visibly moved by the seminar and especially by the young Scout leaders.

On 4 April, an exquisite Regal Circle Dinner was hosted in the Korea Furniture Museum by Chairman Suk Won Kim, Member of the WSF Board and a former Chairman, and President of the Korea Scout Foundation.

The event also featured a Welcome Breakfast for Baden-Powell Fellows, a tour of Seoul, an Honours Programme Breakfast and participation in a dynamic Scout activity alongside 400 Korean Scouts of all ages.

Young Baden-Powell Fellows took part in special programme including Korean home-stay and a community service project at the "Goodwillstore" in Seoul.

The WSF Board and Sub-Committees of the Board also met at the time of the event, and the Board was delighted to welcome two new Board Members: Her Highness, Princess Sama Bint Faisal A.M. Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Mr Yorimasa Matsudaira. In an historic first, the WSF Board and World Scout Committee held a joint meeting over the course of the day on 5 April.

The Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the Korea Scout Association, which worked incredibly hard to prepare and deliver the event alongside the WSF. Sincere thanks also go to the Korea Scout Foundation, which also supported the event and helped to identify a great number of new BP Fellows and Honours Programme Members. The Foundation additionally recognises the kind support of the Korea Scout Parliamentary Association. Finally, WSF is deeply appreciative for the support of its two Korean Board Members: Chairman Kim and Chairman Baik, and thanks everyone who contributed to making the event a resounding success.

Additional media from the event will be shared in the coming days and weeks with participants and via the website and on social media. The gallery below contains a first small selection of photographs.