Day 5: final day and farewells

The final day of conference began with an update regarding WAGGGS' global programs including some information about Thinking Day 2020.  The theme for 2020 will be "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" - the pack is already available and is called "Living Threads".

During the Closing Ceremony it was announced that Bronwyn Hughes had been elected as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee. Winnie She from Hong Kong was elected as Chair. We wish them both all the best leading the AP Committee over the next three years.

Also, Susan Campbell from Australia was honoured with an Asia Pacific Region Appreciation Award.

The conference was officially closed and the flag handed over to Thailand who will be hosting the 2022 Asia Pacific Regional Conference!

We are now off on our own post-conference adventures, having very special memories and great connections from our Asia Pacific Regional Conference.

Day 4: there's an Australian on the Asia Pacific Regional Committee!

The top 5 moments of a very big day

1. The election of Bronwyn Hughes to the Regional Committee

We are very proud of Bronwyn Hughes who was elected for a three year term to the regional committee. The other members of the committee are from Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Nepal. It is the first time that Nepal has had a member on the AP Regional Committee. 

 
2. The passing of two motions prepared and proposed by the Young Women Ambassadors
The two days of governance learning for young women immediately before the conference paid off, with the two motions they proposed being passed by the conference.




3. The sharing of a wonderful variety of projects and plans at the Playground of Ideas
Everyone brought information about a project in their MO to share. We saw how Singapore are using dice to implement the new WAGGGS leadership mindsets in their organisation and learned about the WAGGGS Girl Research Project. 

4. World Centres t-shirt day!
Everyone was wearing t-shirts and badges from the World Centres - it was great to see the support, make new connections and swap stories of visits over the years.







 

5. A wonderful 10 course banquet to celebrate 50 years of the Asia Pacific Region
The day ended with everyone sharing a delicious meal, along with dancing, singing and learning about Taiwanese culture.

Day 3: sharing our experiences

Today was a day of forums! Conference participants had the opportunity to attend 4 sessions throughout the day run by WAGGGS and different MOs to share our experiences and learn from each other.

Forum topics included governance, girl experiences and leader learning.

Members of the GGA delegation divided themselves between the available forums to expand their knowledge on certain topics and share learnings with others from throughout the Asia Pacific region. The diversity of our region was evident from the information and stories shared. Some exciting, some inspiring, some confronting.

GGA conducted a workshop on child safe organisations that was well attended by a variety of MOs from across the region. Miranda took the lead in creating and delivering the workshop while the others in the delegation facilitated discussion among participants in small groups.

Bronwyn Hughes also led a forum session on the new WAGGGS leadership model.

Some members of the GGA delegation attended the formal Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS 20th anniversary dinner while others had a free evening which they used to explore one of the great engineering structures of modern times -  Taipei 101.

Day 2: exploring new ways of work

 Today involved the exploration of many new ways and new experiences in Asia Pacific Region.

WAGGGS CEO Sarah Nancollas talked to all of the conference delegates through the new WAGGGS strategic planning process.

It aims to coordinate and streamline the direction of the movement, together with global action plans and regional business plans.

Conference delegates also worked in groups to contribute new ideas to Asia Pacific action plans for 2020 and 2021.
 
It was inspiring to see how the young women at the conference embraced their new opportunity to engage in regional governance by proposing two motions for consideration.

An hour of speed dating was, for many, a new way to speak in depth with candidates for the Regional Committee ahead of the election on Friday.  And the GGA delegation introduced many delegates to the unique concept of a chatterbox by way of campaigning for the GGA candidate, Bronwyn Hughes.

Bronwyn also started a new journey herself as a silver level Friend of Asia Pacific WAGGGS and received her pin at a ceremony this evening.

And, when an emergency song was called for to keep everyone entertained, Australia was on hand to teach the conference delegates and FAPW members all  a new song - Cuddly Koalas!

Day 1: all about learning

The first day of the 13th Asia Pacific Regional Conference and the GGA delegation was raring to go!

In the first part of the morning we were introduced to the WAGGGS conference app which includes electronic voting capabilities, and we went through the opening conference business such as the adoption of rules of procedure and selection of the procedural team.

Next up were the presentations by the candidates standing for election to the Asia Pacific Regional Committee for the next 3 years.  There are 8 candidates, including GGA's very own Bronwyn Hughes who gave a fantastic speech. 

The elections will be happening later in the week so we have plenty of time to learn about the other candidates in order to identify who is best placed to lead the AP Region through the next triennium.

Aussie Susan Campbell, who is on the WAGGGS Nominations Committee, facilitated the candidates' presentations.

 
Next up was the Opening Ceremony, which included fantastic displays of Taiwanese culture including a Lion Dance by local elementary school children. (You can watch the Facebook live stream here).  We have felt very welcome in Taiwan.



The afternoon sessions provided us with insights into the direction of WAGGGS including some significant recent changes. These sessions were shared with members of Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS which also included a number of Australians.  FAPW provide significant financial support to Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in the AP Region.


Finally the day ended with learning about all the 22 Asia Pacific countries represented at this conference during the international night market - what a buzz of energy and friendship!

Meet the Delegation

Members of the Girl Guides Australia delegation are making their way to Taiwan for the 13th Asia Pacific Regional Conference. Meet the delegates! 

Rosemary Derwin

Rosemary Derwin is Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Australia.

“As we gather in Taiwan with our Guiding sisters from around the Asia Pacific Region, I look forward to celebrating the Region’s 50th anniversary year and working together to ensure Girl Guiding continues to provide amazing opportunities for girls and young women.”

 

Bronwyn Hughes

Bronwyn is recently ‘booted’ Olave, an Asia Pacific Capacity Assessment Tool mentor and a WAGGGS facilitator for the Juliette Lowe Seminar. She is GGA’s candidate running for election to the Asia Pacific Regional Committee.

“With such a diverse and growing region, I am looking forward to the opportunity to connect, learn and share with other Member Organisations. In a time of change, Regional Conference will be an opportunity to discuss and guide the Asia Pacific Region’s strategy and future direction - something I am excited about being a part of.”

Miranda Cummings

Miranda is a Guide Leader in Western Australia and a member of the WAGGGS Membership Growth and Retention Strategies Working Group.

“I can’t wait for the conference in Taiwan – it’s going to be a great experience to share and learn with Guides from around the Asia Pacific Region so that we can continue to grow Guiding together”

Bronwyn Cole

Bronwyn is a Guide Leader in Regional Victoria and the International Manager for GGA.

“The Asia Pacific Region is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2019. The Region currently has both the highest membership and highest growth rate across the WAGGGS World Regions. Not only do we have a lot to celebrate this year but a strategic place at a world level that it will be exciting to see at work at our Regional Conference.”

Larissa Saywell

Larissa is the Deputy State Commissioner for Girl Guides NSW/ACT and previously a Leader of Youth.

"I’m really looking forward to meeting people from different Asia Pacific countries at the conference and hearing about how Guiding works in different countries’’