Director of the Wilaya’s division of social service and development for the conservation of Tlemcen, Scout Commander Farouk Bouraoui has revealed that a new World Organisation of Scouts badge for environmentalism will be developed soon.  It will greatly assist in developing a culture of environmentalism in children and will also strengthen the efforts of the scouts in this field, especially as Algeria engaged itself into this international operation as the only Arab nation besides Palestine.  This has come about through the active participation of this Scout Commander in the communications network, which has connected him to over 15 countries.

Following the official seal of approval from the Algerian Muslim Scouts, which has become an important member of the World Organisation of Scouts task force for developing environmental awareness, based in Geneva, Scout Commander Farouk Bouraoui was able to form connections with many representatives concerned with the environment. He then presented the conclusions of the numerous activities carried out by scouts groups in Tlemcen and Algiers regarding the environmental conservation, focusing on the Saharan milieu, due to its unique characteristics as opposed to any other environmental setting shared by other nations.  These conclusions demonstrated the nature of the activities undertaken by groups of Algerian Muslim Scouts. This work has been considered a success due to the significant importance given to environmentalism on an international level by conservation advocates and has greatly contributed to the advancement of similar activities, all of which will benefit the Algerian Muslim Scouts, as well as enhancing its capacity and developing its future potential specifically in the field of environmental conservation.

These have all been included in the outline of programmes and initiatives underscored by the World Organisation of Scouts committee, which is closely following the recent outcomes from the endeavours of countries involved in adopting and supporting these environmental schemes.  The committee awaits the prospective congress – which will take place July 2008 in Korea – so that an announcement may be made during the closing session to congress participants of possible examples of World Organisation of Scouts badges for environmental conservation and awareness. This will then be officially sanctioned by the states in attendance, concerned in promoting conservationism in their Scouts’ organisations. Therefore, Scout Commander Farouk Bouraoui is calling all conservationists involved in preserving the homeland to participate in this operation, by submitting suggestions for badges, which will be taken into consideration by specialists and researchers in the field of environmentalism, and thus, hoping to develop the Scouts’ programme of environmental work and promote participation.