All Aboard the Nippon Maru! SSYEAP Delegates visit the Philippines for 4-day Country Program

The Ship for South East Asia and Japan Youth Program (SSEAYP) participants, while aboard the cruise ship “Nippon Maru”, docked on the Manila Port on November 17 for 4-day stay in the Philippines, the SSEAYP country program, which includes institutional visits and a homestay program. The participants’, the SSYEAP National Leaders and Youth Leaders flew to Davao for a 2-day visit.

As part of the SSYEAP country program, the National Youth Commission (NYC) hosted a welcome ceremony for the participants on November 17. Filipino participants wore ethnic attires for the ceremony and welcomed youths from other countries.

Congressman Manuel Monsour Del Rosario III greeted the youth participants from each country with his welcome remarks. NYC Chairman Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema, Minister/Consul General Atushi Kuwabara of the Embassy of Japan and Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West from Department of Foreign Affairs also delivered warm messages of welcome for the newly arrived participants. Mr. Hideyuki Yamatani, Ship Administrator from Cabinet Office of Japan, gave deep application to all cooperating agency of the Philippines.
 

An Open Ship program was also conducted under the SSYEAP country visit. The participants, along with their families, host families, and friends, were invited to tour the inside of the Nippon Maru. This activity also serves as an opportunity for the participants to thank their families and friends for their support.

SSEAYP is an international youth exchange program launched in 1974 by the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Governments of ASEAN Member States. It aims to foster goodwill and cooperation among Japanese and Southeast Asian youths through educational and cultural exchanges while on-board a ship that will be sailing through the region for around two months. This year, SSEAYP will be held on the Japanese Luxury Liner, MS Nippon Maru and will run from October 23 to December 13.

To learn more about SSEAYP, please visit the following link:
http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/kouryu/en/sseayp/2017/sseayp.html