Day 3: Down to business

Today's program included the formal Opening Ceremony, as well as some formal procedural and business sessions and the presentation of the Asia Pacific and WAGGGS reports.

Highlights of the day included:

Yuriko Koike, the Keynote Speaker at the Opening Ceremony.  Koike is a member of the House of Representatives and was Japan's first female Minister of Defence.  She shared some very inspiring stories about the results that she has brought about in Japanese parliament (and also previously in her career as a TV journalist specialising in Arab affairs) by speaking out and paving the way for women.  

An amazing drumming performance by Japanese Girl Scouts.  

We welcomed Myanmar as a Country Working Towards WAGGGS Membership.

 

The launch of a book to celebrate and commemorate forty years of the Asia Pacific Region, written by Australia's own Jan McIntyre.

Mary McPhail, Chief Executive of WAGGGS, presented a wonderful speech illustrating the actions of WAGGGS and particularly the success of the Stop the Violence campaign which has involved the creation of a global co-educational curriculum which is receiving support from the World Organisation of Scout Movements, YMCA, YWCA and the Duke of Ed Program.  

The Australian delegation split up during the evening. Helen and Joan met with the Chief Commissioners and International Commissioners, respectively, from other member organisations.  Miranda joined the other young delegates for an informal session with the Chief of the World Board, Nadine El Achy, Teruka Wada from the World Board, Ruchira Jayasinghe and Kat Charcos-Puyo who shared their experiences and tips regarding leadership, working on WAGGGS committees or as WAGGGS staff and life in general.