|
|
|
|
|
Junakright Junk, or more properly, Junk-Svaz Skautu a Skautek, is the Association of Scouts and Guides of the Czech Republic. Founded in 1911, Junk is the largest organisation of youth in the nation, with an estimated membership of 53,000. Its symbol is the Scout lily, with the head of a Chodovian dog (a legendary symbol of faithfulness and freedom), placed on the trefoil. A voluntary, non-political civic organisation, without no restriction to membership, Junk was founded in 1911 by Antonn Benjamin Svojsk, who, after visiting British Scouts, wanted to establish a similar movement in his homeland. History Junk was first named in 1914, the same year its first scouting newsletter was issued. In 1915, the first girl scouts were introduced, under the leadership of Vlasta Koseov (formerly těpnov), and shortly thereafter, a section for Guide Education was established. In 1918, at the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic, the Czech scouts offered services, and the ranks of scouting grew rapidly in the new country. Before World War II, Junk had the third most members of any Scout Association in Europe, and numbered seventh in the world; this was ended by the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, as many Scouts and Guides joined the Czech Resistance; over 700 of them died during the war as part of the movement. After the war however, the number of members grew to nearly 250,000, and in 1947, a contingent of 500 represented Junk at the World Jamboree of Scouts in France. However, in 1948, after the Communist coup, Junk was disbanded; trials, beginning in 1949, were held against various Junk Commissioners, some of whom were sentenced to many years of imprisonment in communist concentration camps. Many Junk troupes continued to meet in secret. In 1968, during the Prague Spring, the scouts again began meeting openly, but the August invasion brought that to an end. Again, many Junk units continued to operate in secret. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, Junk was one of the first organisations to re-emerge from working underground, by then, for the fourth time in its history. It was re-recognised the next year by the major world scouting organisations (see below). In 1998, Junk became one of the founding members of the Czech Council of Children and Youth, a national youth council that aims to protect the rights and interests of Czech young people. In 2001, Junk hosted the European Guide and Scout Conference, in Prague. Organisation and Structure Czech Scouts within Junk are members of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Guides of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and the Old Scouts and Guides of International Scouts and Guides Fellowship (ISGF). The organisational body of Junk is divided into 14 regions and 80 districts, overseen by the National Assembly (14 elected, 17 appointed by regions and independent bodies), led by the Chief Scout and Chief Guide, who, in turn, appoint the Chairman and various administrative officers within Junk. Communications between the districts and regions, and to Junk headquarters, is quite efficient; monthly information packages are sent to all groups, much of it by e-mail. Events The Scouts and Guides in Junk organise many events on the national and local level. The most well-known of these is Svojsik's Race, which takes place every two years. Junk scouts hosted Intercamp in 1994, and the Water Scouts hold a national water-themed jamboree, Navigamus. Junk scouts also organise monetary drives and information campaigns, in support of cancer research and blood drives. Every Christmas, Czech Scouts distribute the Bethlehem Light around the country. Junk publishes four magazines, for its various divisions, as well as various other materials, numbering roughly 15-20 different publications a year. The organisation also maintains Scout/Guide centres around the country, run by their respective districts and other groups. Some of these are open to the public, for a nominal fee, as self-service accomodation.
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|