Scouting in the Philippines can be proud of its great tradition and feel confident about even greater future. Indeed, not only does the Philippines have one of the largest Scout Organization in the world, but also the Boy Scouts of the Philippines has one of the highest penetration rates on the planet, with about one Scout out of five boys in age to be in Scouting.

But Scouting in the Philippines is not only a matter of quantity but also of quality: value-based and service-oriented, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines sees its mission as one of education in the sense of both character-building and nation-building. It aims at the global, the integral development of the personality of young people - spiritually, morally, physically, intellectually - in order to make them responsible citizens of their local community, of the Philippines and of the world.

And one can judge the tree by its fruits; the Boy Scouts of the Philippines has produced many great leaders, not only for the Philippines, but also for World Scouting. The Boy Scouts of the Philippines has known how to both attract and produce people who were, and will be amongst decision-makers, among those who "make a difference" in society, at all levels of that of that society, in all professions and positions. And also great Scouters who "make a difference" in Scouting itself, not only at the national, but indeed at the regional and world levels.

I have not doubt that the future of Scouting in the Philippines is even more brilliant that its past: as the Boy Scouts of the Philippines accentuates its Community Development projects, strengthen its youth program, adult leader training and management, putting itself more and more at the service of society and also more visibly so, its relevance and profile will also become increasingly sustained.

JACQUES MOREILLON
Secretary General, WOSM
Message on the 60th Anniversary of the BSP