PM Urges Youths Project Participants to Promote Cambodian Culture, Civilization

Written by DAP NEWS -- Tuesday, 13 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday urged 29 Cambodian youths to promote and contribute to awareness of Cambodia’s culture and civilization to other youth members chosen for the 36th 2009 Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), according to an assistant of the premier.

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programe (SSEAYP) is an annual program sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by the member-countries of ASEAN. The program brings together about 300 youths from ASEAN countries and Japan, providing them with the unique opportunity to interact on board the ship Fuji Maru and at different ports-of-call for 53 days.

Hun Sen on Monday at Foreign Affair and International Cooperation Ministry allowed 14 men and 14 women accompanied by one leader to join the SSEAYP program. He invited them to have a talk and ask for any recommendations.

“The premier welcomes and focuses on the youths, a path of one mechanism, who the government not allows them to walk followed pervious youths, being lack of support and schools,” Eang Sophalleth told reporters following the meeting. “The Government is at present focusing on building schools for the youths to become the society’s human resources,” Eang Sophalleth added.

The premier stressed that the SSEAYP youths would be representing the whole of Cambodian society.

Nith Bunlay, Cambodian SSEAYP Group Leader, told the premier that the SSEAYP will visit Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.

Eang Sophalleth said the premier will donate US$500 to every participant.

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SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malay- sia, Philippines, Singapore and Thai- land. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Vietnam participated in the programme in 1996 while Laos and Myanmar participated in 1998. Cam- bodia 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.

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. Activ-ities at each port-of-call include inter- action with the local youths, courtesy calls on dignitaries and institutional visits, as well as community service and homestay experience.

The 36th SSEAYP is scheduled to be held from 27 October to 18 December 2009. During this period, the participants will visit Japan and five of the ten ASEAN countries namely Philippines (Manila), Malay- sia (Port Klang), Singapore, Thail-and (Bangkok) and Brunei Darus-salam (Muara). Singapore will be sending a contingent of 28 youths and a National Leader to participate in this year’s programme.

In Singapore, SSEAYP is co-ordinated by the National Youth Council (NYC) - the national co-ordinating body for youth and youth sector development in Singapore, together with the SSEAYP Intern-ational Singapore (SIS), the Alumni body of ex-SSEAYP Singapore participants.