Cultural Exchange (Promoting peace) at Ghadames, Libya

[Akeula]

Six Adult leaders from the Qrendi and San Gwann Scout Groups returned from the Libyan Jamahiriya, after attending the 1st Pan Arab Assembly for Culture exchange (promoting regional peace), held in Ghadames, Libya between the 26th December 2004 and 4th January 2005. The Qrendi Scout Group was represented by GSL David Schembri, CSL Pamela Schembri, A/CSL Brenda Zammit and VSL Warren Muscat.

The assembly, marking the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Public Boy Scout and Girl Guide movement of the Libyan Jamahiriya, saw a record number of male and female participants from the European and Arab Scout Regions, namely Libya, Tunisia, Algiers, Jordan and the Sultan of Oman, together with participants from England, Malta, France, Spain, Holland and representatives from the Australian and Columbia Scout Associations. Attendance at the assembly helped to further promote our scout association and the Qrendi Scout Group internationally.




Welcomed at the Joddaim International Scout Camp at Tripoli, the scout delegation were given the opportunity to tour the Roman ancient city at Leptis Magna and the rock cut coliseum and sea port at the Libyan city of Al-Khums, before undertaking a ten hour coach journey south of Tripoli to the city of Ghadames (the jewel of the Sahara).

Cultural visits to the neighboring towns of Dirj, Nalut, Shaawai and Sinaawen, as organized by the Libyan hosts gave the participants the opportunity to experience Arab hospitality extended to them by the respective scout groups.



Utilization of all parts of the palm trees in buildings, cordage and bag making were experienced by all participants during their respective visits. Song, ritual tribal dances and camel riding by the Touareg tribesman also helped to better understand life in the harsh Sahara desert. A jeep safari deep into the Sahara salt desert enabled the participants to witness the harsh desert conditions and discover a salt lake deep in a remove location.




Seminars on the need of a better understanding of each others culture and the promotion of regional peace, were conducted by Prof. Bahlul Eliagoubi, Director of the Science and Scientific Research Programmes at ALESCO, formed an integral part of the assembly.
A tree planting ceremony within the Tunin olive grove saw each participating scout group contribute in the forestation of this locality. A tree was planted in the name of the “Qrendi Scout Group – Malta”, a fitting souvenir of our remote village.
Returning to Tripoli following a most fruitful assembly, the participants were welcomed at the Libyan General Headquarters in Tripoli by Chief Scout, Dr Mohammed Hassona Fhema and Secretary General Mr. Abduljalil al Dahash, who elaborated on the need to organize such events in different countries whilst serving to bring people and cultures closer together.



Dr Fhema personally thanked all the respective scout associations and assembly participants and congratulated all the members of the Libyan Scout Organizing team, particularly Dr. Talal Bariun, for leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to promote regional culture exchanges and peace.

The European Scout Delegation leaders in turn thanked all members of the Libyan Scout Association for making them feel most welcomed in the Libyan Jamahiriya and hoped that such noble initiatives would be organized on a regular basis.
On behalf of the Qrendi Scout Group – Malta, one cannot but thank the Libyan Boy Scout and Girl Guide movement of the Libyan Jamahiriya for their great welcome and hospitality, the Arab Region Scouts from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Sultan of Oman and Jordan for accepting us truly as Scouting brothers and sisters, the European Region Scouts of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Holland for their sincere cooperation and comradeship and the representatives of Australia and Columbia for also allowing us to share their culture. One cannot forget the other Maltese representatives from the San Gwann Scout Group, namely North District Commissioner Adrian Borg and San Gwann Rover Scout Nicky Spitieri, for their help in promoting Maltese Scouting.