35TH SHIP FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN YOUTH PROGRAMME (SSEAYP), 21 OCTOBER - 11 DECEMBER 2008

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) is an annual programme sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by the ASEAN countries. The SSEAYP aims to promote friendship and understanding among youths from the ASEAN countries and Japan. The programme brings together about 300 youths from ASEAN countries and Japan, providing them with the unique opportunity to interact on board the ship Nippon Maru and at different ports-of-call for 52 days. Singapore will be sending a contingent of 28 youths to participate in this year’s programme. 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. The aim of SSEAYP is to foster friendship and greater understanding among youths from Japan and ASEAN. It also seeks to broaden their international outlook. The 35th SSEAYP will be held from 21 October to 11 December 2008. During this period, the participants will visit six of the ten ASEAN countries, namely Brunei (Muara), Indonesia (Jakarta), Thailand (Bangkok), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Philippines (Manila), Cambodia (Phnom Penh) and Japan. 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 homestay experience. PAYM is invited to nominate 6 youth leaders to participate in this year’s SSEAYP. The nominees should possess a track record of active youth, community or outstanding youths capable of assuming an ambassadorial role for Singapore. They should also be between 18 and 30 years old as of 1 March 2008. Kindly refer to the attached conditions for the programme. On behalf of the National Youth Council, we would like to highlight the following conditions, amongst others, for participation: (a) Each selected participant is required to contribute a sum of at least $900.00 (excluding 7% GST) to the contingent fund. The fund will be used to cover individual and group expenses for the programme. Participants are encouraged to raise funds or approach their nominating organisations to subsidise their contributions to the Contingent Fund; and (b) All participants are required to undergo a two-month orientation programme, which includes weekend and two weekday evening training sessions per week. The orientation programme is tentatively scheduled from July to August 2008. Those who do not attend the orientation programme regularly will be disqualified. Interested candidates, please get the nomination form from your respective officer and submit it through your her by 30 April 08 before 12 noon. PAYM looks forward to your support to SSEAYP 2008!