ITTIHODI SCOUTOI TOCHIKISTON

SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF TAJIKISTAN

The Republic of Tajikistan was created after the breakup of the former USSR, of which it had been a part. Tajikistan is now a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The population is about 5.5 million people with 62% Tajiks and 23% Uzbeks. There is also a significant minority of Russians. The development of the country with its winding borders and difficult terrain is seriously limited by internal conflict.

Scouting was started in Tajikistan in 1991 by two young citizens, one a Christian and the other a Muslim, following their participation in the Congress of the Federation of Russian Scouts that met in St. Petersburg.

In spite of the civil war that broke out in May of 1992, Scout troops took root in Dushanbe, the capital, and in Khodjiant, the second city situated in the north on the plain of Fergana, at the border with Uzbekistan, far from the deadly conflicts.

The return to relative calm after the elections at the beginning of 1995 allowed the expansion of the Movement in the countryside through the rural school system. A Scout troop has been created in the prison for youthful offenders in Dushanbe.

Starting in April 1992, a national Scout association was gradually formed with the help of the World Scouting Office for the CIS. It was officially registered in October 1993. The Scout Association of Tajikistan is the only non-governmental youth organization that is structured and active in the country. This has been made possible thanks to the support of the authorities, notably the National Commission for UNESCO, and several foreign development agencies represented in the country.

The Scout Association of Tajikistan’s credibility is largely due to its being open to all ethnic and religious groups, and also to its efficiency and effectiveness in working under very difficult conditions with extremely limited resources. They were recognized by the World Bureau (WOSM) in 1997.

The Scouts of Tajikistan have participated in various international Scouting events such as the World Jamboree in Holland in 1995, the 1998 World Jamboree in Chile and the World Rover Moot in 1996. Several leaders have received their training abroad in France, Russia and the U.S.A.

The Scout Association of Tajikistan has about 1,200 members, boys and girls, in 15 towns or areas, with several groups in three zones of conflict.

Scouts from Tajikistan were represented at the 1998 World Jamboree in Chile.

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THIS INFORMATION WAS REPRINTED FROM THE WORLD SCOUTING NEWS, MAY 1997 EDITION.

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