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Mr Toshihide Ando “Chargés d’affaires ad interim”, Embassy of Japan in Singapore and Staff of the Japanese Embassy

Mr Alvin Lee, President of SSEAYP International Singapore

SSEAYP Members and Host Families

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good afternoon to all of you!

1. It is my pleasure to be here to join all of you in celebrating this joyous occasion - WE ARE 40! SSEAYP DAY Celebrations”. This special event commemorates SSEAYP’s first sailing on 7 October 1974, 40 years ago. The SSEAYP programme has a special place in my heart. I was involved in its coordination for the Singapore leg when I was working in People’s Association from 1983 to 1992.  Hence, I am happy to see many familiar faces this afternoon, people whom I had worked closely with during my time in People’s Association.

2. Since its inception in 1974, SSEAYP has played a pivotal role in strengthening friendships and promoting greater understanding of cultures and values amongst youths from Japan and the ASEAN countries. By taking youth participants through a series of activities on-board Nippon Maru and at each port of call in the ASEAN countries and Japan, SSEAYP provides a window for young people to broaden their international perspectives and deepen the mutual understanding between the peoples of ASEAN countries and Japan.  Such interactions help to strengthen the people-to-people contacts among ASEAN member states, and between ASEAN and Japan.

3. Singapore supports this objective wholeheartedly. This year, Singapore is proud to be one of the ports-of-call for Nippon Maru, along with Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Philippines. I understand that the National Youth Council (NYC) in Singapore is working with SSEAYP alumni to prepare a four-day local programme to celebrate SSEAYP’s 40th Anniversary and ASEAN-Japan relations.

4. The success of SSEAYP not only hinges on the strong administrative support of the various government agencies but also on the passion and commitment of SSEAYP alumni in the respective countries. It is heartening to know that those who have benefitted from the SSEAYP experience have gone on to make various contributions, such as helping to select new National Leaders and Participating Youths for each SSEAYP iteration, engaging fellow alumni for events like SSEAYP Day, coordinating SSEAYP’s Homestay Programme, and many more. Many alumni members have even made use of their strong network of friends to go beyond the scope of SSEAYP in impacting the wider community.

5. In Singapore, one such example is the collaboration between SSEAYP Alumni and students from Anderson Secondary School in making and selling krathongs (water lanterns) as part of this year’s President’s Challenge. Through their collective efforts, I am pleased to announce that over $11,000 had been raised for selected charities and beneficiaries. This is a commendable initiative to generate goodwill beyond the SSEAYP community.

6. Even as we continue to strive for excellence in an economically competitive global environment, it is important to instil in our young people the intrinsic values of volunteerism as we strive to build a more caring and inclusive society. Therefore, for our Singaporean participants, I encourage you to continue working with the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to engage our youths in meaningful activities, and help them achieve their aspirations.

7. Apart from the SSEAYP Alumni, a special mention must also be made to a group of non-SSEAYP participants whom, I know play a vital role as Singapore’s ambassadors. These are the host families providing homestay for the SSEAYP participants from other countries. Their generosity in opening their homes to foreign participating youths as part of SSEAYP’s 2-night homestay is highly commendable and admirable. These host families provide a unique experience for our overseas friends to gain first hand understanding of our local lifestyle, food and customs. Many of the home stay host families have been actively partnering SSEAYP for more than two decades, and we see their children being groomed to take over the next lap.

8. It is also heartening to note that over 40 years, we see family members embarking on the same SSEAYP voyage decades after. Intra- and inter-marriages even blossomed within and among the different batches, both locally and regionally. Some have also chosen to work here or have found their significant halves and set up home in Singapore. Love is many a splendid thing. We have certainly witnessed romance blossomed in the ship and borne fruits in some of the participating countries.

9. I understand that the SSEAYP Pre-Departure Concert  will be held later today, and I encourage all of you to share your invaluable experiences with the current National Leader and Participating Youths of the SSEAYP 2013 Singapore Contingent. With that, I wish each and every one of you here a fun and enjoyable day at SSEAYP Day Celebrations! And to the SSEAYP programme, Happy Birthday on your 40th Anniversary.

10. Thank you!

SSEAYP - Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme