Seoul, May 16th 2012 - Mr. Aidan Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the World Scout Bureau, the Secretariat of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, took the opportunity of a previous engagement in South Korea, to meet with Hon. Chung Ui-Hwa, President of World Scout Parliamentary Union (WSPU) and Acting Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. Mr. Jones will also visit the Korea Scout Association building and meet its Headquarters staff, with Mr. Simon Rhee (Chairman of the World Scout Committee) as his guide.

Mr. Jones, who is originally from the United Kingdom, has a very strong background in Scouting. Indeed, he joined the Cub Scouts some 40 years ago already. Moreover, he has not only been an active Scout volunteer, but also a professional at multiple levels of Scouting. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of the 21st World Scout Jamboree in the UK in 2007, which was a very special event, as it marked the Centenary of Scouting. Additionally, this is not Aidan Jones' first appointment within the World Scout Bureau, as he worked in the European Regional Office, as Director of Administration and Finance in the past.

Hon. Chung Ui-Hwa was happy for the opportunity to meet Mr. Aidan Jones and to discuss a wide variety of subjects, such as the history of Scouting in Korea and how Hon. Chung has been active in Scouting for many years and the different roles he has today, as President of the Korea Scout Parliamentary Association (KSPA) and of WSPU. Hon. Chung explained that Scouting was one of the only youth activities in Korea when it was first introduced and was therefore very happily adopted.

Hon. Chung also asked Mr. Jones about the future for the World Scout Bureau and about some of its current endeavors, such as the Messengers of Peace project. Moreover, as Korea Scout Association has announced its bid for the 25th World Scout Jamboree, which is due to take place in 2023, Hon. Chung asked Mr. Jones about the best ways in which the parliamentarians could support the association and help ensure the success of the bid and the event. Mr. Jones, who has also been Chief Executive of "World Skills London 2011" (an international event which showcases vocational practical skills by young people), was glad to share his experience in ensuring a successful event, in particular he explained that involving the proper authorities and the ministry of education in particular, is essential. At the end of the meeting, both of them agreed to stay in contact in order to improve the collaboration between WOSM and WSPU.

More information about Mr. Aidan Jones and his appointment as COO at World Scout Bureau, may be found in his interview on scout.org.