49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) send off ceremony

Mr Makino, Ship Administrator

National Leaders and Participating Youths (PYs) of the 49^th SSEAYP

Volunteers and Members of the SSEAYP International Singapore

Families of the PYs

Ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

• Good afternoon, everybody!  I love the energy on a Sunday afternoon. I’m so happy to be here for the Send-off Ceremony of the 49^th SSEAYP Port-of-Call Programme in Singapore.

• For decades, SSEAYP has brought together young people from across the region, all your beautiful countries – forging lasting friendships and building bridges of understanding.

• Over the past weeks in Japan and onboard Nippon Maru, you have participated in many, many discussions and activities.

  • But I believe the most important takeaway is that you have transformed from strangers to friends and from individuals in different countries into a community of changemakers that will start something so impactful across the region, within your countries and tackling real-world challenges.

Recap of Programme in Singapore

• Now here in Singapore, you have continued the journey of discovery through meaningful learning experiences.

  • And I heard that you have visited places like Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Sembcorp Tengeh Floating Solar Farm, Enabling Village, Changi Airport Group Experience Studio. I hope they all offered you insights into how Singapore approaches our regional challenges and also on environmental stewardship, inclusive urban design, and technological innovation.

• I also understand that you had an amazing homestay experience as well and I hope that had added another important dimension to your time in Singapore.

  • Your host families opened their homes, opened their hearts to all of you, welcoming you into their daily lives.

  • Through this experience, I really hope they gave you a glimpse of what it means to live in Singapore,  a Singaporean lifestyle and helped foster some cross-cultural understanding and personal connections that no formal programme will be able to provide.

The Journey Forward

• Now as you sail towards Thailand you carry with you far more than memories.

  • You now have the tools to create real world impact: analytical skills that are sharpened through discussions, practical insights from your learning journeys, and a network of friends that you can count on in ASEAN and Japan.

• So, the question I pose here before you is not really whether you can make a difference, but how would you choose to make a difference because I believe you will take the first step.

  • Whether by advancing access to education, strengthening disaster resilience, championing inclusive designs, or digital innovation. The list goes on. Look for what you are passionate about.

• You are now joining a community of a staggering 10,000 and more SSEAYP alumni, which is a huge group you can tap on, who have transformed their experiences into meaningful action across the region.

  • The friendships you have formed and lessons you have learnt could one day ripple across the region, creating the change that our communities really need in today’s world.

Closing

• I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Government of Japan for their generosity in sponsoring this programme, and to the ASEAN member states for their continued support.

• I also want to thank the dedicated volunteers from SSEAYP International Singapore and our partners for supporting the National Youth Council in organising this meaningful and enriching Port of Call programme.

• Finally, to our PYs, all of you here, bright young minds, I wish you safe travels and meaningful experiences as you continue on the rest of your journey. May you return home enriched by new perspectives, strengthen by these lasting friendships, and turning inspiration into reality. Thank you so much for having me here.

• Thank you.