The Ship for World Youth Program (SWY) 2024
The Ship for World Youth Program (SWY) is a reorganized program of the Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise program that began as one of the commemorative projects of the Centennial of the Meiji Restoration in 1967.
In 1988, SWY developed its form to the present style that focuses on the interaction between Japanese Participating Youth and Overseas Participating Youth, including discussions and other activities.
Purpose
Currently, it is indispensable that cooperation, coordination, and negotiation across borders in various fields, and leaders of the next generation who are capable of leading and guiding people are required.
From this aspect, the Ship for World Youth (SWY) program focuses on implementing programs where Participating Youths (PYs) from various backgrounds will gain abilities to deal with different cultures, communication skills, leadership skills and management skills through having discussions, cultural exchanges and workshops that are organized by PYs.
In addition, it aims to establish a strong human network across national borders.
Participating Countries
There were 14 participating countries in the program, and a total of 208PYs (117 OPYs and 91 JPYs) joined the program.
- Argentine Republic
- Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- French Republic
- Republic of India
- Ireland
- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- Republic of Kenya
- United Mexican States
- New Zealand
- Solomon Islands
- Republic of Türkiye
- United Arab Emirates
- Republic of Zambia
- Japan
Program Contents
During the SWY program, Japanese youth along with youth from 13 other countries participated in the Onshore /Onboard Training Sessions and port of call activities for 28 days.
The participants took part in various kinds of training and exchange activities, including seminars and discussions on common global issues.
Onshore Training Session
Onboard Training Session
Committees
Various activities and events were organized and conducted in order to facilitate exchanges among PYs and to promote mutual understanding and friendship. To maintain communication with the administration and those in charge of planning and managing these activities, the following 6 committees were formed.
- All-PY Seminar Committee
- Discussion Committee
- Peer-Learning Seminar Committee
- Port of Call Activity Committee
- Press Committee
- Voluntary Activity Committee
Course Discussion
With the common theme of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), ten Course Discussion themes were established as forums for PYs to discuss common issues from global perspectives.
- Gender Equality
- Realization of Cohesive Society
- Quality Education
- Youth Empowerment
- Succession of Local Traditions and Histories
- Development of Attractive Community
- Disaster Prevention Education and Tourism
- Disaster Prevention Measures
- Environmental Conservation and Tourism
- Living Close to Nature
Ports of Call
The purpose of the Port of Call Activity is to promote a willingness to learn and to rediscover the attractiveness of the region and to raise awareness of issues that Port of Calls have. The ship docked in Kyoto, Hyogo, and Kochi.
