BB - 4/9/05

Nippon Maru - A regional peace promoting ship

THE Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) is an annual programme sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by the member-countries of ASEAN. The programme brings together about 300 youth from ASEAN countries and Japan, providing them with the unique opportunity to interact on board the cruise liner the Nippon Maru.

The cruise liner Nippon Maru

SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Vietnam participated in the programme in 1996 while Laos and Myanmar participated in 1998. Cambodia joined the programme in 2000.

A series of activities are lined up for the selected participants. The programme during voyages includes discussions on social and youth matters, cultural introductions, sports, recreation and club activities. Activities at each port-of-call include interaction with the local youths, courtesy calls on dignitaries and institutional visits, as well as community service and home stay experience.

The most interesting part of the SSEAYP program is the home stay program. The participants will spend three days with host families. This is the opportunity where the participants can experience and learn their culture, ways of living, languages and to get to know their families, relatives and friends.

Club activities

Since its inception in 1974, SSEAYP has produced more than 10,000 alumni (ex-participants) of the programme throughout ASEAN countries and Japan. These ex-participants joined together to form Alumni Association in their respective country. In the year 1992 these alumni associations has affiliated themselves to SSEAYP International SI) based in Tokyo, Japan. The existing alumni associations which are affiliated to the SSEAYP International are:

SSEAYP International Brunei Darussalam (SIB) – BERSATU SSEAYP International Indonesia SII) International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan (IYEO) SSEAYP International Malaysia (SIM) – KABESA SSEAYP International Philippines (SIP) – SSEAYPAA SSEAYP International Singapore (SIS) SSEAYP International Thailand (SIT) – ASSEAY

The other four member countries of ASEAN, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are in the process of forming their respective alumni associations and soon will be joining the SSEAYP International.

SSEAYP 2005 is scheduled to be held from 8 November to 20 December 2005. During this period, the ship will visit six of the ten ASEAN countries namely Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Brunei Darussalam will be sending a contingent of 28 youths and a National Leader to participate in this year’s programme. This year is the 21st time Brunei has been participating in the annual friendship programme in its 32 years history.

The ambitious Youth Ship Programme aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries. If an experience is gained when one is young, it will stay with a person throughout their life. Being part of a team of young people from so many different nations broadens the participants’ perspective on the world, expands the horizon of their future career and creates friendships for life.

By participating in discussions, on-board introductions to each country and various exchange activities both on-board and in the countries visited, the youngsters motivation and ability in international cooperation will be strengthened. After finishing the program, the participants are expected to progress to leadership positions in youth activities and other sectors in their home country.

SSEAYP contingent aboard Nippon Maru

Therefore, SSEAYP must be accorded its rightful place as an effective vehicle for the promotion of peace, goodwill and solidarity in the region as it is ultimately the youth community in their respective nations that will shoulder the unenviable task and responsibility of shaping the future of the region.