MANILA, Philippines – Three hundred nineteen youth ambassadors from Southeast Asia and Japan will be sailing the seas aboard a Japanese cruise ship for almost two months not for leisure but for a cause.
Young people from 18 to 30 years old from the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia and Lao P.D.R. arrived aboard the Fuji Maru Thursday in Manila to mark the start of the 36th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSYEAP). Each Southeast Asian country has 28 delegates while Japan has 39 participants.
The 640 million yen- funded-program, initiated by the Japanese government, traces its roots in 1974 when Japan decided to join hands with SEA countries to promote friendship and mutual understanding among young people.
“It’s not only a cultural exchange, but also a significant program to deepen the understanding of each society from political, economic to social aspect,” said Japan Information and Cultural Center director Tomoko Dodo of the Japanese Embassy to the Philippines.
Dodo, who was also a participant during her younger years, described that the delegates, would have an intense experience as they would visit sail across the SEA region and Japan.
In partnership with the National Youth Commission, the participants will be visiting institutions and universities to discuss issues on culture, environment, food, school education, and will be immersing in Filipino communities from November 12-15, 2009.
Included in the list of participating institutions and universities are Bahay Tsinoy, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the Philippine Women’s University, Department of Foreign Affairs, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and the Philippine Red Cross Youth.
“Based from past experiences, when they return home, our delegates were more exposed to the rich culture of the Asean and Japan. They have better understanding of what needs to be tackled and what are the solutions that can be done to take care of the problems in our society,” said Commissioner Priscilla Marie Abante of the National Youth Commission
Miguel Ortilla, fourth year Communications Technology student of the Ateneo de Manila University, led the Philippine delegation as the youth leader while Norianne Frondoza of Central Mindanao was chosen as the assistant youth leader.
“When we go back to the Philippines, the real mission starts where we need to share the experiences with our organizations here,” said Ortilla.
“It made me realize that even if there’s a diversity of cultures, there’s something similar between one country and the other, said Frondoza, adding, “In the process, this makes us not just as a better Filipino but also as an individual, not just in nation building but also in world building.”
From the Philippines, the delegates will then proceed to Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok, Brunei, and Tokyo for the closing ceremony on December 17.
Applications for the 37th SSYEAP, which will open in February until April 2010, can be accessed from the NYC website, www.youth.net.ph.
No comments:
Post a Comment