SWY 21
September 29th, 2009 by SWY
In early March 12 young Norwegians returned after participating in the exchange program – The Ship for World Youth.The program is arranged by the Japanese Cabinet Office with CENTRYE and International Youth exchange Organisation of Japan (IYEO), this year for the 21st time.
The aim of the program is to expand the global perspective of Japanese and participating youth, promote mutual understanding and lasting friendship between the participants while developing their leadership skills. The 21st Ship for World Youth Program included 250 participants originating from 13 different countries.
The program consists of two parts. During the first part the participants stay in Japan to learn about Japanese culture and etiquette before setting sail for the vast oceans where 40 days of activities ranging from discussions, seminars, workshops to sports- and recreational activities awaits them aboard the ship Nippon Maru.
Actual topics in a world perspective was thematised and set the backdrop for many of the activities onboard the Nippon Maru – topics such as media and information, the UN, sustainable growth, cultural understanding and education, amongst others. Field trips were conducted in Japan and on New Zealand to various institutions interconnected to the discussed topics, giving the participants the possibility for combining their accumulated knowledge with valuable first-hand experience.
The Norwegian participants. (Back row, from left: Cathrine Lindblom, Gaute Ringstad Holthe, Eirik Veseth, Cato Christopher Hagen, Vidar Skaar og Connie Ho. Front row, from left: Linn Landmark, Lillian Solheim, Siri Johnsen, Gunvor Bottheim, Kristine Morton og Malin Pihlstrøm). Foto: Koki Jesus Fukasaku
During the cruise the Nippon Maru made two port calls; in Nuku’alofa in Tonga and Auckland in New Zealand. This provided the participants unique opportunities to conduct school visits, go to concerts and watch stage-plays together with local children and youth. In addition the participants was able to spend time on Vanuatu, where the Nippon Maru anchored for re-supplying its food and water storage.
The Ship for World Youth Program: Nippon Maru at Vanuatu. Photo: Siri Johnsen.
As the Norwegian leader of delegation I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the fourth invitation to participate in this unique culture- and network-building program. All of the participants have expanded their network to span further across the world, this time to include youth from 13 different countries, representing all continents in addition to the cultural exchange between them. Wrote Siri Johnsen abouth her experience in the program.
Norway has participated in the program in 1996, 1999, 2004 and now in 2009. The participants were chosen by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality and the Japanese Embassy in Norway.
By: Siri Johnsen, National Leader of the Norwegian Delegation SWY21
Photos!