The Australia-Russia Friendship-in-Scouting Scholarship is funded by the Memorial Foundation for Scouting in Russia in memory of Gwenda Hollis, Masha Platonova and Michael Durnan. These Scout Leaders, from Australia, Russia and Britain respectively, died in a tragic accident following the First Russian Scout Jamboree, which was held near St Petersburg in August 1994 following the re-emergence of Scouting in Russia after it had been banned for about 70 years. Substantial contingents of Australian Scouts visited the Moscow/St Petersburg region of Russia in 1992 and 1994.

Scholarship guidelines

The scholarship will provide partial funding for the scholarship recipient to travel to Russia to participate in projects/activities that are likely to be of lasting benefit for Scouting in both Australia and Russia. The scholarship will provide half of the project/activity costs up to a maximum funding specified at each time applications are invited, taking into account maintenance of the real capital of the fund. The scholarship recipient will be required to provide a budget outlining the costs of their project.

Scholarships will be offered to registered Australian Leaders or Rovers within the Scout Association of Australia who apply and meet the selection criteria.

Normally scholarships would be offered to individuals, but proposals that involve more than one Australian participant may be considered in special circumstances, especially if the likely benefit is very significant.

The duration of each visit to Russia would normally be in the range of two to six weeks, depending on the detailed nature of the project/activities. If scholarship recipients desire to combine their scholarship travel with private travel, details should be included in their application and such a combination will require the approval of the International Commissioner prior to undertaking the scholarship.

Applicants will be required either to submit a detailed proposal for activities and projects that they propose to undertake during their visit to Russia, or applicants will be required to respond to specific criteria relating to their undertaking a project that is specified in an invitation for applications.

Proposals will be considered by International Funds Committee, or a selection panel appointed by that committee, following an invitation for applications annually or biannually, but expressions of interest may be submitted at any time.

Following the scholarship recipient’s completion of the designated projects/activities, the scholarship recipient will be required to deliver a comprehensive report in forms prescribed from time to time, but normally expected to include a comprehensive written report suitable for wide distribution within Australia and Russia and may include oral presentations to appropriate National, Branch, area and other Scouting and community forums.

Selection criteria

• Leaders must have a strong record of achievement and service to Scouting as a leader or prior strong record of achievement and service as a youth member. Rovers who are not warranted leaders must have a strong record of achievement and service within Scouting in Australia.
  
• The likely value proposals to Scouting in Australia and Russia.
  
• The applicant’s demonstrated ability to be an outstanding ambassador for Australian Scouting.
  
• The applicant’s demonstrated understanding of Scouting and other issues in Australia and Russia that the International Funds Committee considers necessary to achieve the objectives of the scholarship. The International Funds committee may decide to appoint a separate selection panel.
  
• The applicant’s interpersonal qualities that will enable her/him to communicate in a professional and beneficial manner with the likely wide diversity of Scouting and other people that they will encounter during the scholarship. Applicants should relate well to people including youth members of all ages, leaders of all sections, senior officeholders of Scouting, families and friends of Scouting, and community and government officials outside Scouting. They should have the ability to develop rapport and mutual understanding in diverse circumstances, particularly considering the likely language barriers that will occur from time to time.
  
• Knowledge of the Russian language is not essential, but applicants will be required to gain at least a basic understanding of the Cyrillic alphabet and common Russian words.
  
• Depending on the nature of projects/activities, applicants may be required to establish communications with relevant individuals or groups within Russia prior to undertaking the scholarship.

Types of projects/activities that scholarship holders could undertake

• Active participation in a Russian scouting event, such as a summer camp, Jamboree, training course, conference, etc. where the scholarship holder has a defined role additional to observing. The role could be to deliver/manage a particular activity where they have particular expertise that is not otherwise available; or an activity that may bring to the Russian Scouts something that is notably Australian. At the same time, they would desirably bring back ideas/activities that have a particular Russian flavour.
  
• A significant joint environment project which involves both Australian and Russian Scouts which would have a long term benefit to both the environment and Scouting within Russia. It could also be a sustainable project where Australian Scouts could continue visiting and being involved.
  
• A study tour where the scholarship holder visits specific groups and events to learn about how Russian scouting is conducted and in the process make contributions to Russian Scout activities or events. The scholarship holder should then bring back to Australia new ideas and enthusiasm that they transfer.
  
• Participation in an event in Russia organised by Scouts from another country. There are a number of linkages between Russian Scouts and Scouts in other countries upon which scholarship projects could be developed. One is Network Russia Scout Fellowship, which is UK-based (networkrussia.org.uk). Events they have organised include winter expeditions and international camps.

It is anticipated that all scholarship recipients will develop relationships with Russian Scouts that will then be utilised to establish on-going links between Australian and Russian Scouts, sometimes including actual travel of youth members between Russia and Australia.

Applications

Applicants are required to complete the application form and should be no more than 2 or 3 pages in length. The main part of the application should be a statement describing the proposed project with concise details of purpose and a reasonable indication of the itinerary and timing and who they would interact with in Russia and for what purpose and expected outcome of the trip. Click here to download the application form (PDF, 87KB).

Resources to assist potential applicants to develop scholarship project proposals

• International Office of Scouts Australia can assist applicants with links with Russian Scouting.
  
• www.scout.org and other Internet links from that site.
  
• networkrussia.org.uk, a UK-based initiative that promotes links and activities between UK and Russian Scouts.

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