The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP)
The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) is based on the respective Joint Statement issued in January 1974 between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam joined the Program in 1985, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1996. Lao people’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar joined the Program in 1998.Furthermore in 2000, the Kingdom of Cambodia also joined the Program.
The Program is carried out by the Government of Japan (through the Office for International Youth Exchange of the Cabinet Office) with the active participation and cooperation of these ten Southeast Asian countries.
Purpose
The aims of this Program are to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Japan and the ten Southeast Asian countries, to broaden their perspective of the world, and furthermore, to strengthen their spirit of international cooperation, and practical skills for international collaboration.
As a result, it is expected to cultivate youth who are capable of exercising their leadership skills in various fields in the globalizing society and to contribute to society in areas such as youth development.
These aims can be achieved through sharing their lives onboard the ship, introducing each other about their countries, and participating in discussions and various exchange activities both onboard and in the countries to be visited.
Summary of the 44th SSEAYP report in 2017
The 44th Program was carried out for approximately 50 days from October to December, 2017, starting with the country program in Tokyo and several prefectures in Japan.
The Program made a port call in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Representatives of participants visited Lao P.D.R. during the country program in Thailand.
Activities in Japan
An Inauguration Ceremony (gathering all Participating Youth (PY)) and Welcome Reception were organized on October 24.
A 5-day and 4-night Regional Program was organized for PYs to experience local culture.
Onboard Activities and Country Programs Nov.2 -Dec.12）
- Discussion Program
The Discussion Program followed a “common theme” with following eight themes. Each Discussion Group comprised of more or less the same number of PYs from different contingents.
- Good and Bad Aspects of Globalization
- Information and Media
- International Relations (ASEAN-Japan Cooperation)
- Measures against Lifestyle-related Disease
- Quality Education
- Reduced Disparity
- Resilient and Sustainable City Design
- Youth Entrepreneurship
- Post-Program Session
The Post-Program Session intends to deepen PYs’ understanding of the SSEAYP International, its mission, objectives and activities, and to encourage them to actively participate or organize post-program activities
- National Presentation
Activity to introduce the culture, tradition, history, nationality, current situations surrounding youth, etc. of each country
- Voluntary Activity
Activities to be voluntarily planned and organized by the PYs with clear purposes and objectives such as events and seminars
Activities in the Countries visited
Country programs, or the activities in the countries visited, were organized and conducted by respective governments and Reception Committees (RCs). The RCs generally included members of the Alumni Associations in the respective countries. Ex-PYs played an active part in the implementation of the country program, often accompanying the PYs to various venues.
The duration of the visit to each country was 4 to 5 days. The country programs included homestay, courtesy calls on high ranking government officials, interaction with local youth and institutional visits to industrial, educational, cultural and social welfare facilities. During the country program in Cambodia, the institutional visits were arranged according to the eight Discussion Group themes.