;

1st June 1999

The following is a text version of a letter sent to: International Commissioners, National Scout Organisations in Europe

Dear friends

JUST A DAY

Associations throughout Europe have been responding to the human needs - especially those of young people - which have been created by the emergency in the Balkans.

Whilst we strongly encourage Associations to continue to assist non governmental organisations and relief agencies, we believe that we need to look at ways in which the Scout Movement in Balkan countries can be supported. This support is important because Scouting is already working in the Balkans in order to help young people. After all, Scouting is not a relief agency but we do know about working with children and young people. Scout Associations in Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have already done a lot (in very difficult circumstances) but we need to help them and others in the Balkans to do more.

Following s meeting of these Associations in Athens on 16 May, hosted by Soma Hellinon Proskopon with the support of the European Scout Region, we are proposing a project called JUST A DAY. The idea is that, when a Scout unit (whether Cub Scouts, Scouts or Venture Scouts/Rovers) is planning a camp they add to the amount charged to their members the cost of an extra day. We calculate that this will be on average about EUR 5 per person. The money raised by this is then donated to the Just a Day project. The European Scout Foundation will hold the money received and the European Scout Committee will agree the precise uses for the money. All money raised will be exclusively used to support the work of Scouting in the Balkans.

Payments should be sent to: The European Scout Foundation "Emergency in the Balkans" UBS-SA Case Postale 2600 CH-1211 Geneva No 240-605864 70F This account is a Euro account. By transferring money in Euros if you can, costs are reduced to a minimum. However, payment in any convertible currency is acceptable.

The money collected will help: - Scouts in the Balkans to take part in more camps and other activities - children and young people in those countries to take part in activities provided by Scouts, either in refugee camps or with young people who have been traumatised by the war in other ways. We are developing a project to help this, to be called CHILDREN FIRST. We will send you more information on this. - leaders to be trained and supported in order to work effectively in these difficult circumstances.

JUST A DAY is not only a way of raising money. It is an educational programme for Scouts all over Europe. Special resource material has been devised for use by Scout units. This material is designed to help our members to realise and understand the situation for children and young people in the Balkans and to decide to help. The activities are enjoyable and a practical support for busy leaders, always looking for programme ideas!

The material will be downloadable from the European Scout Region's web site: www.scout.org/europe. We expect the material to be available from 1 June 1999.

We ask National Scout Organisations to publicise this project widely and to encourage and assist Scout units to support it. We are using all available means of publicising JUST A DAY: - this message is being sent to all Associations - the European Scout Region's web site will have full details - e-mail networks will be used to send the message widely - European events will be used to announce JUST A DAY and to encourage Associations to become involved.

Thank you for the support which we know you will give to this important initiative. Scouting in the Balkans has never been more important than it is now, as we look for ways of encouraging peace, justice and reconciliation.

Yours sincerely

David Bull, Chairman, European Scout Committee Dominique Benard, Regional Director

For further information contact: International Department (international@scout.org.uk)