INDIAN YOUTH DELEGATION LEAVES FOR JAPAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 18TH “SHIP FOR WORLD YOUTH PROGRAM”

NEW DELHI: 9 January 2006

To foster the spirit of international cooperation as well as to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the youth of Japan and those of various other countries, the Government of Japan has been organising the Ship for World Youth Program for the past several years. It was introduced in 1967 as one of the programs to commemorate the centennial of the Meiji Restoration, and was designated as the Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program. In 1988, the program was redesignated as the “Ship for World Youth Program”, and has, since then, been held every year.

This is the 18th program of its kind organised by the Government of Japan. In this program, 120 youths from Japan and nearly 150 youths from 12 other countries including India share life together on board the ship for 44 days (from 19th January to 2nd March 2006). This programme provides the youth an opportunity to study and discuss issues of common interest from a global viewpoint, through lectures, cultural exchanges, sports, seminars and club activities.

The Indian youth contingent will arrive in Japan on 10th January and stay there until 19th January, where they, along with participants from other countries, will have an audience with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Princess, courtesy call on the Prime Minister, excursions to different prefectures, short stay with Japanese host families, and pre-departure training course for sailing. On 19th January, in Tokyo Port, they will board the chartered ship “Nippon Maru”, specially designed for this purpose, and cruise around Singapore, Chennai, Mombassa and Port Louis, before returning to Tokyo on 2nd March, where all the participants would disembark. The Government of Japan bears all the expenses including air tickets and staying expenses on the ship, under this Program.

The selection of the Indian youth is conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India. This year, the Indian youth delegation comprises of 10 persons from different parts of India, who are connected with youth activities.