BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Brunei Scouts Association (PPNBD) marked an important milestone in their illustrious history as an association recognised both domestically and globally with the unveiling of the logo for its 80th anniversary at the Scouts Building in Jalan Gadong yesterday, Borneo Bulletin reported.
The association heralded the start of the New Year in what would potentially be the first in a series of significant events marking the association’s 80th year since it was first established in 1933 with 12 people.
The scouting movement in the country was founded by Allahyarham Cikgu Marsal bin Maun, who is now known as Allahyarham Dato Paduka Haji Marsal bin Maun, former Menteri Besar of Brunei. One of the surviving members from the group of founders is Dato Paduka Haji Awang Mohd Hussein bin Imam Haji Mohd Yusof.
The PPNBD which originated from a small local organisation reached a new chapter in their history after having been accepted as an affiliated member with the United Kingdom Scouts in 1939. The PPNBD continues to prosper globally and in 1976, was accepted as an associate member in the Asia- Pacific region scouts movement.
On July 1,1981, the PPNBD was accepted as the 117th full member in the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) and World Scout Bureau (WSB).
In 1995, the PPNBD was accepted as a member of the International Union of Muslim Scout (IUMS).
The highest honour possible to the country and to the Brunei Scouts Association was in 1993 when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to receive a letter of appointment to be one of the honourary patrons of the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM).
The PPNBD is also one of the associations that advocate the establishment of the Asean Scout Association of Regional Cooperation (ASARC) in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Concerning the involvement and activities of PPNBD, the association as an internationally acclaimed organisation is not only involved in activities at the national level but also on the regional and global scales. These include activities in the shape of ‘Jamboree’, ‘Rovermoof’, ‘Cubboree’, workshops, seminars, youth programmes and more.
In 2001, the country played host to the International Youth Camp with cooperation from the Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam and the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society which saw participation by over 4,000 people comprising uniformed and non-uniformed youths in Brunei and from overseas.
The Chief Scout Commissioner of PPNBD, Haji Awang Badar bin Haji Ali said that the new logo came from 14 entries by eight competitors.
Haji Awang Badar also indicated that the finale of the series of celebrations marking the association’s 80th anniversary will be the 4th National Jamboree.
The PPNBD’s goal is to push the youth into becoming wise, intelligent and competitive individuals who are capable of overcoming social problems and helping out others.
In a five-year strategic plan from 2008 to 2012, the PPNBD aimed to become a first-rate organisation which shapes youth excellence towards contributing to the development of Brunei.