Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Scout Movement (ISM) has proposed the International Scout Peace Camp (ISPC) should be held in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, alongside the Worlds Scout Conference in Slovenia on August 11-15, 2014.
ISMs Chairman Adhyaksa Dault said during a courtesy call to the Palestinian Embassy in Jakarta on Monday (Aug. 4) that the proposal was expected to be approved by the 162 members of the World Organization of Scouts Movement (WOSM), who will attend the forum.
"This is an initiative of Indonesia. If the ceasefire is upheld by both sides and conditions in the Gaza Strip become more conducive, we will call on the worlds scout movements to visit Gaza, as Palestine has also had a scout movement called the Palestinian Scout Association since 1948," stated Adhyaksa.
Adhyaksa noted that hosting the ISPC in Gaza is one of several efforts to promote long-term peace, freedom, and solidarity in Palestine, the Middle East, and the world.
"We call on every scout association across the world to exert moral pressure on the issue of Israeli military aggression against Palestine and to support the Palestinians freedom to live in their homeland," he emphasized.
The initiative, Adhyaksa added, was in line with the Ten Scouts Principles, specifically "love for nature and humanity" and "willingness to help and be steadfast."
"For the scout movement, wherever it is, the conflict in Gaza is not related to religion but is a humanitarian crisis," he said.
According to an Indonesian delegation member at the Worlds Scout Conference, Brata Hardjosubroto, the ISPC expected participation from Palestinian Scouts; Israeli Scouts; and the scouts of neighboring countries, such as Jordan and Egypt.
"Of course, it will be difficult but possible if full support is provided by the WOSM," he said.
The first ISPC was also initiated by Indonesia and held in the Cibubur Camp Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia, in March 2013.
Besides Brata, three other Indonesian Scout members will also represent Indonesia at the WOSM conference, including Indo Reiyano Samili, Marbawi, and Yudha Adyaksa.
Adyaksa will also participate in the WOSM Youth Forum in Slovenia. (WDY)
