The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) 2024
The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) was launched in 1974 as a joint project between Japan and ASEAN member countries, based on the respective Joint Statements issued between Japan and respective ASEAN member countries. The program involves a 40-day ship journey during which Japanese and ASEAN youths live together, participate in discussions, and engage in cultural exchanges. The program aims to foster friendship, mutual understanding, and international cooperation among the participating youths (PYs).
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 Southeast Asian countries.
Purpose
The aims of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) are to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youths of Japan and the Southeast Asian countries, to broaden their perspectives on 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 the youths who are capable of exercising their leadership skills in various fields in the globalizing society and contributing to society in the areas of youth development.
Participating Countries
A total of 158 Participating Youths (PYs) from 10 participating countries and 1 observer country joined the program.
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Lao P.D.R.
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Viet Nam
- Japan
※ Observer participation: Timor-Leste
Program Contents
During the 48th SSEAYP (November 4 to December 11, 2024), PYs participated in Country Program in Japan (Tokyo program, Local program), Onboard Program, Country Programs in Viet Nam and Indonesia for 38 days.
The participants took part in various kinds of exchange activities including presentations about each country’s characteristics and seminars organized by PYs.
Tokyo Program
(1) Program period
- Monday, November 4 - Wednesday, November 6, 2024
- Wednesday, December 4 – Thursday, December 5, 2024
- Tuesday, December 10 - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
(2) Activities
- Inauguration Ceremony
- Orientation
- Field Study
- Summary Forum
- Farewell Ceremony
- Farewell Party
Group Photo at Inauguration Ceremony
Gift Exchange at Farewell Party
Onboard Program
(1) Program period
- Thursday, November 7 - Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Monday, November 18 – Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Tuesday, November 26 - Tuesday, December 3, 2024
(18 days in total)
(2) Activities
- Discussion Program
Discussion Program was based on the matters agreed upon by the leaders of each country in the Joint Vision Statement 2023 Implementation Plan for Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation (17th December 2023). In the Program, there were six “discussion themes” and Each Discussion Group (DG) comprised roughly the same number of PYs from different contingents. The following are six discussion themes:
- Soft Power and Youth People to People Diplomacy
- Economic Growth and Sustainable Community
- Global Environment and Climate Change
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
- Good Health and Well-being
- Digital Society
- Post-Program Sessions
Post-Program Sessions intend 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. - Peer Learning (PL) Seminars
PL Seminars focus on sharing and discussing PY’s knowledge and experiences with a small number of PYs in a peer learning style. - Solidarity Group (SG) Activities
Each SG shall carry out activities to deepen mutual understanding and to promote friendship among PYs in each SGs. - National Presentation （NP）
NP is an activity in which the PYs further deepen their understanding of each country by introducing indigenous traditions, cultures, history, national character, and current situation surrounding youth in their countries. - Voluntary Activities (VA)
VA is an activity in which a PY or a group of PYs can freely organize various events and seminars with clear goals and objectives.
Discussion Program
Peer Learning Seminar
Activities in the Visited Countries
Activities in the port of call country were planned and implemented by the government of the host country and the Reception Committee. The Reception Committee included members from the Alumni Associations of each country, and the ex-participating youth played a central role in the implementation of the port-of-call activities.
Viet Nam
The four-day port of call activities in Vietnam included homestayｓ with local families, a courtesy call on government officials and filed studies that involved visiting local universities and interacting with local youths.
(1) Program period
- Thursday, November 14 – Sunday, November 17, 2024 (4 days）
(2) Activities
- Welcome Ceremony
- Flower Offering Ceremony at President Ho Chi Minh Monument
- Courtesy Call on the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee
- University Visit by DG
- Homestay
Flower Offering Ceremony
Courtesy Call on Mr. Phan Van Mai,
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee
Indonesia
The five-day port of call activities in Indonesia included homestays with local families, a courtesy call on government officials, exchanges with local youths, and field studies at various facilities such as government agencies, international organizations and companies.
(1) Program period
- Thursday, November 21 – Monday, November 25, 2024 (5 days）
(2) Activities
- Joint Press Conference
- Welcome Ceremony
- Courtesy Call on the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports
- Courtesy Call to ASEAN Secretariat
- Field Study
- Homestay
Joint Press Conference
Group Photo with Mr. Taufik Hidayat,
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports
Local Program
After disembarking, PYs were divided into mixed-nationality groups and visited five local destinations in Japan. At each location, they conducted courtesy calls, homestay programs, and exchanges with local youth.
(1) Program period
- Friday, December 6 – Monday, December 9, 2024 (４ days）
(2) Destination
- Nara
- Kochi
- Kumamoto
- Kitakyushu
- Hakodate
(3) Activities
- Courtesy Call
- Homestay
- Interaction with local youths
Enjoying Snow in Hakodate
Tea Ceremony in Kitakyushu
Interaction with Local Youth in Kochi
