my sseayp memories

Going to Renaissance!

2006-08-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

SSEAYP is a continuous program. After the program we wil have many chances to actualize ourselves trhough the programs for the alumni.

Last week I went through the selection to chose the SSEAYP alumni for joining Renaissance 2006. And I made it. I will be in Renaissance 2006 with my senior, Yenita Mulia, from batch 1998.

We will be in Japan in October to join several activities including the Orientation, Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speech, Reception, Local Program in Miyagi and Fukushima for course 1 and for Course 2 in Nagano and Gifu Prefecture. There wil be also Tokyo Program that consists of Young Leaders Forum, Field Trip, and the Global Youth Conference.
Wish I could learn more from that program, to do more.

Here is the quote of Renaissance Outline to provide you the picture of what Renaissance is.

Those youth from diverse parts of the world who are taking active roles in various fields from business to education to youth development are invited to Japan for the 21st Century Renaissance Youth Leaders Invitation Program 2006. By providing a wide range of activities with the Japanese youth for them, we seek to:
1) promote their understanding towards Japan;
2) broaden international outlook of the Japanese youths;
3) promote further mutual friendship and understanding among the youths from Japan and the respective countries;
4) foster their spirit of international cooperation, continuous peace and prosperity; and
5) elevate their practical abilities to take part in the field of international cooperation.

As the result of this program, further, we expect them to show leadership in different areas of a globalizing world and to take an active part in youth development activities.

Wish us luck! :-)

And The Story Goes...

2006-05-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

SSEAYP is like a tree that grows more branches and leaves. This year, the story goes. The selection for Indonesian Participating Youth 2003 has been going on in different provinces, as well as in Central Java.
I am glad that we found a qualified person. His name is Daniel Setiaji.
I spent the previous 3 days with him and I found that he is a person to whom we can count on. I give high score for :
his friendliness,
taking care of people,
his diplomatic answers and statements,
the way he makes the decisions,
and I feel a difficulty in finding the weak points that he might have. My highest score is for his ability to handle different things in the same time without getting into hectic reactions.

Funny that he was one of the journalists who made the report on a competition where I was the finalist in 2004. Such a small world...
Good luck, my brother, Daniel! :-)

Discussion Summary of SSEAYP 2003

2006-04-28T01:20:00.000-07:00

the presentation of the summary in Commemorative Forum of 30th SSEAYP,

New Otani Hotel, Tokyo (photo: courtessy of Chris Rivero-PPY)

The Future Relations Among ASEAN Countries and Japan

The summary of all topics discussed in discussion activities during SSEAYP 2003.

Delivered in the Commemorative Forum of 3Oth SSEAYP, Tokyo, October 2003

This year, we celebrate the ASEAN-Japan year as well as the 30th year of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme, or SSEAYP. Hence, our theme of “ The Future Partnership Amongst Asean countries and Japan is both timely and important.

Briefly let me describe the discussion in the SSEAYP. The ship Nippon Maru has given us an ideal setting to share our views and to learn from those around us. Discussions have provided us an avenue for the participating youths to express their views freely on current and important issues and challenges and to provide possible solutions.To facilitate the proceedings of the discussion, the sub committee has divided the theme into six (6) subtopics, namely: culture, education, economics, environment, the role of youth and the 30th year of SSEAYP.

I will now proceed with the summary of each topic, beginning with culture.

Culture

On this topic, participants expressed increasing awareness of the diversity of cultures in existence within Japan. We examined our customs, fashions, rituals, cuisines, religions, and the arts, and observed that we are blessed with a rich and complex cultural heritage. However, the fabric of some cultures is under threat from globalization. Many teenagers can dance to discos or rap music, but cannot perform the traditional dances of their own countries.

Participants also noted that mass media and communication technologies had both positive and negative effects. The younger generation is fortunate to have ready access to a wide variety of newspapers, websites, news channel and other information tools. Nonetheless the spread of a uniform global culture can lead to the decline of the traditional values and customs. We realize that our cultures are valuable and must be protected, and that they can enhance the future partnership among ASEAN and Japan countries. The cultural diversities that ASEAN and Japan offer a great asset in promoting the region to other countries as tourist destination.

Furthermore, familiarity with each other’s practices will lead to a deeper appreciation of Asian models or standards that may serve us better, rather than blindly adopting Western concepts often misplaced for an Asian context.The following are some proposals for ASEAN-Japan cultural cooperation. We must increase and intensify cultural exchange programs, seminars and conferences. Mass media technologies can be exploited by broadcasting cultural programs focusing on ASEAN and Japan. Finally the establishment of jointly funded ASEAN-Japan cultural centers in each country will help coordinate the above activities.

Economics

On the economic issue, ASEAN countries and Japan have already established close ties. We are aware that Japan remains one of the biggest and trading partners of most ASEAN countries. Japan has played a big positive role in the industrialization of ASEAN countries through aid technology transfer and foreign direct investment.

As we become more interdependent and closely linked, events such as the 1997-1998 financial crisis will affect us a single entity. SARS also hindered business and investment decisions and partnership earlier this year. Confronted by a tougher global economy, ASEAN countries and Japan must enhance their economic and technical cooperation in order to sustain development. ASEAN countries are in need of technological transfer and capital infusion. In return, ASEAN countries can provide a valuable market fir Japanese manufactured goods. Furthermore, ASEAN is a valuable source of natural resources and an ideal location for Japanese companies to establish factories and outsource elements.

We still confront many economic problems like poverty, development gap, closed market and others. The successful negotiation of an ASEAN-Japan Free Trade Area would make the area more attractive as an investment zone, and it would reduce the cost for manufacturers and consumers. We stress that we value sustainable development which pays more attention to social development and environmental protection.

Finally, many participants realize that trade is an ideal way for countries to raise living standards and the welfare of their population.On the issue of environment, all of us agreed that environment is a matter that ASEAN countries and Japan relations must place great emphasis.

Environment

Environmental problems such as marine and air pollution are borderless. An oil spill off the coast of one country will affect all neighboring countries. Pollution causes health problems, renders the land unusable and costs government money to clean up. Hence, cooperation is needed to resolve these problems. While rapid industrialization has led to economic growth in the region, pollution is a negative side effect. Sustainable development and treating our forests, animals and seas as a treasure to be inherited by the next generation is far sighted policy we advocate.

ASEAN countries and Japan must also look at alternative use of energy and promote recycling, eco-tourism, exchanges of expertise, standardization of environmental policies, proper waste disposal, reforestation and others. Funding to support environmental management would sustain the growing youth environmental awareness among the ASEAN countries and Japan.

Education

On matter of education, we found that our educational systems are quite similar. Problems were cited concerning certain limitations in facilities and the competence of some of the teachers. Participants emphasized the importance of mass education and provision of free education for the needy.

Education, we firmly believe, must be relevant and accessible to everyone.In a shrinking world, we saw the need for the importance of teaching English, but with the condition that our own languages are also protected. This is the lingua franca of today, and even in Nippon Maru, most of us communicate to each other using English.

Schools must train students in IT and the internet must become part of the curriculum for all students. The existing framework of the ASEAN University Network must be expanded to include Japanese universities and deepen cooperation in more areas.

We would like to see further programs that deal with exchange of students among the ASEAN countries and Japan, the inclusion of subjects about ASEAN and Japan in the curriculum and additional scholarships for students.

The Youth Life

The youth of the different ASEAN countries and Japan are plagued with myriad of challenges. We have drugs, juvenile delinquency, poverty, unemployment, health problems, sex and labor exploitation among many others.

We propose that ASEAN countries and Japan must provide better programs for the youth, including facilities to cater to the youth’s interests, like sports and arts centers. Concrete national and regional holistic policies for the youth must be crafted.

Youth empowerment must be pursued beyond lip service for the passion and the energy of the youth can make important contributions to community and social service. We also propose websites by and for the youth of ASEAN countries and Japan to facilitate interaction. Corollary to that there should be more exchange programs for better understanding among the ASEAN countries and Japan.

The 30th Year of SSEAYP

Being participating youths of this program, we understand the value of this. SSEAYP in its 30 years have been successful in bringing future leaders of ASEAN and Japan closer. The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is unique. It has given us the chance to find unity within our diversity. We share the same dreams, we share the same problems, and more often than not we offer the same tentative solutions. Most importantly, during our time together, we have touched each other’s hearts and lives.

More than anytime in history, we are all in the same ship and we all paddle down the same stream. We live in an age of profound global change. ASEAN countries and Japan must act and advance together.

We sink or swim, we rise or fall, but never could we do everything alone. The future relationship lies on mutual respect and a common understanding of the challenges and prospects ahead.In closing, all the participating youths are excited to forge ahead knowing that our relationship has been galvanized by our time on board the Nippon Maru and in Japan. An investment n today’s youth is a sound investment for the present and the future.

singing a beautiful song of friendship that was written by Jasper Ian Gonzales-PPY

2006-04-12T23:46:00.000-07:00

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Here, There, Everywhere...

2006-04-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

I remembered a question asked by a Philippine's Participating Youth to one of my good friend, an afternoon in Jakarta.
"How SSEAYP changes your life?"
My friend replied that he feels like he's travelling more after the program.
In my head I was about to say that I felt that I had stronger wings to fly.

And yes, here I am now, living my life in France, without any cultural shock. My friend, who said that he's travelling more after the program is now working for an event organizer that deals with international expo. His nearest projects are in Pattaya Thailand and in Dubai.
One of my friend, a nice Cambodian girl named Lorida is studying in Manchester, another friend, a Malaysian, Chan, is now also in UK. Adriene from Malaysia is now in Tokyo, getting into scholarship program in Sophia University, another friend from Lao is in Australia, another friend from Japan was in Aussie and in Cambodia too, another Cambodian friend travelled to Japan, Singapore and many other countries, and in my own contingent, my Youth Leader has been crossing the globe from Bruxelles to Vietnam and soon Philippines... it will be more hundred sentences here if I shall write all the names that travels the world so much after the program.

What I would like to say now is, I am happy for all those travellers, with personal or institutional missions to be brought in their arms. What makes me even happier is the fact that we still LOVE our origin countries, still memorize our beautiful friendship and still keep in touch.

We might have stronger wings and wider space to fly, but I know for sure, that we'll always be back to the warm nest where we were born, and do our best for it...
Go my friends, go, fly, higher, up to the sky!

see nippon maru

2005-11-28T02:19:00.000-08:00

Nippon Maru is the ship that brought us in wonderful journey of SSEAYP. Click here to see beautiful photos of nippon maru...

Body Painting....

2005-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

the magic of SSEAYP is that you can be something you've never imagined before. I was a princess, lifted by 2 macho men with body paintings on their skin...

I was the painter!

2005-06-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

last performance in nippon maru, an eve, right before reaching up to yokohama...

2005-06-11T05:51:00.000-07:00

windy-windy japan sea...

The Song of Peace

2005-06-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

It's the song that we sing, together in warm friendship and peace, during the trip on board...

Nippon Maru

SongLyric and Music by Augusto Francisco Jasmin Meyer

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean

Riding the waves over the deep blue sea

Can you tell me how much you can cover a day?

Can you tell me how long you have gone

with the purpose of bringing together young heart and mind

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean

chasing the wind over the deep blue sea

Can you take me with you to the ports of the world

with the message of love and peace

Can you take me to the nations

where caring is only a word to say

If you carry us over and out to the world

There's a chance we can speak to them all

There's a chance we can tell them

the world's but home

and all people are family

........

it's the song that has been inspiring and touching thousands of hearts in Asia...

2005-06-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

me, my national flag and nippon maru at Bangkok Port

About SSEAYP

2005-06-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

History of SSEAYP
The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth program is based on the respective Joint Statements issued in January 1974 between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia , Malaysia , the Republic of Philippines the Republic of Singapore and the Kingdom of Thailand. Negara Brunei Darussalam, following full independence and its admission to the ASEAN in January 1984 , joined the program in 1985. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam joined in 1996 , following its admission to the ASEAN in July 1995 , and the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar joined in 1998 after having been admitted to the ASEAN in July 1997. Furthermore , in 2000 , the Kingdom of Cambodia also joined this program following its admission to the ASEAN in April 1999. This program is carried out by the Government of Japan with the active participation and cooperation of these ten Southeast Asian countries.

Purpose
The purpose of this program is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries ; to broaden their perspective on the world , as well as to strengthen their motivation and ability in international cooperation by participating in discussions , in ob-board introductions to each country , and in various exchange activities both on-board and in the countries visited. In addition , the participating youths are expected to progress to leadership positions in youth activities , and in various other sections , in their own country after this program.

Participating countries (by alphabetical)
1.Brunei
2.Cambodia
3.Indonesia
4.Japan
5.Laos
6.Malaysia
7.Myanmar
8.Philippines
9.Singapore
10.Thailand
11.Vietnam

Activities
on Board the Ship and in countries visited
1.Activities on Board the Ship ;
a) Discussion
b) Solidarity group activities
c) Club activities
d) Introduction to each country
e) Lectures
f) Studies for safe voyage, including lifeboat drill
g) Other activities approved by COC (Cruise Operating Committee)

2.Activities in the Countries Visited
a) Courtesy calls and Reception (meet the leaders of the countries!)
b) Homestay
c) Parties on board, and open ship
d) Program on interaction with local people during a visit to facility
e) Other activities arranged by the respective governments/ reception committee (Implementation of these is limited to when the program has sufficient spare time to add an extra activity other than those listed above.)

Working language
English is the working language throughout this program
Participants
1. 20-30 years of age
2. Able to participate throughout the program
3. Having a command of English adequate to enable participation in the activities both on board and in the countries visited.
4. In good health , both physically and mentally.
5. Adaptable to an orderly group life in accordance with the program schedule
6. Having a good understanding of, and interest in , the countries visited

2005-06-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

sky veranda, 7th floor. place where I witnessed different views of different lands, in various colors of the clouds...

2005-06-11T05:17:00.000-07:00

Nippon Maru..sailing the blue-blue ocean... (with you, I feel the spirit of freedom!)

2005-06-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

midship bar : venue for my handicraft course in club activity 2003

2005-06-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

sunset at pacific ocean.. a view from 8th floor

2005-06-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

2nd port of call, port klang malaysia...

2005-06-11T04:52:00.000-07:00

seto-ohashi bridge, longest bridge in the world, early morning..

2005-06-11T04:49:00.000-07:00

running..playing..laughing... it's SG activities in dolphin hall !!

2005-06-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

sentosa & the pys!

2005-06-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

discussion sub committee, after a midnight (1) rehearsal for Tokyo commemorative forum...

2005-06-11T04:45:00.000-07:00

The colors of Indonesia!

2005-06-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

the contingent of the Republic of Indonesia for SSEAYP 2003

2005-06-11T04:42:00.000-07:00

me & nippon maru!

2005-06-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

an afternoon at paco park, manila. asri-chew-uncle rod

2005-06-11T04:40:00.000-07:00

ready for street party! from shangri-la then move on to makati..

the journey took me to...

2005-06-11T03:46:00.000-07:00

SSEAYP 2003, September - October 2003.
It's more than just a journey from Singapore - Indonesia - Malaysia - Thailand - Philippines - Japan, but,

It's one of the most unforgettable moment in life,

Days when sea and friendship were the only thing around, when I lived in a different world. A world where more than 300 youth from 11 countries set up the rules, mingling, and understanding that we were different, yet we were one.

We sailed on the 3rd generation of Nippon Maru, a ship that had been serving the program for 30 years. I dedicate some stories of SSEAYP for my friends, and for the friendship among human in this universe...

The journey took me to another facet of live.
To an understanding on life
To a better future.

Thank you, SSEAYP!

see more about SSEAYP in
www.sseayp.com

love & peace,
-A-
I2, IPY 2003