SWY programme bonds other countries with Japan

Nipuni Wimalapala

The Ship for World Youth (SWY) programme of the Japanese Cabinet Office provides an opportunity for youths from different countries to expand understanding and friendship among themselves. It is a bridge to exchange cultures and increase relationships with Japan, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry and Education Ministry Monitoring MP Mohan Lal Grero said.

He was addressing a press briefing at the National Youth Services Council to welcome the Japanese delegation of SWY visiting Sri Lanka. The SWY programme was held in Japan on the Fuji Maru ship where 11 countries participated. A group of Japanese youths visited other countries after the programme.

The Japanese group visiting Sri Lanka had a home stay with Sri Lankan families in Kandy. They will also visit several educational institutions related to international relations and foreign policy. Addressing the gathering, National Youth Services Council chairman and director general Lalith Pium Perera said Sri Lanka has been a member of the SWY programme during the recent past.

Her said it has strengthened the relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan while providing talented youths an international approach to contribute to the country's development.

Emphasising the importance of the programme's outcome, leader of the Japanese mission to Sri Lanka, Tetsuo Oshikiri said the aim of the programme is not immediate but long term and would contribute to the development of youths worldwide.

The final expectation is to make participating youths engaged in international work with a worldwide network, Oshikiri said.

Sharing the experience of SWY, Sri Lankan delegation national leader Didula Rajapaksha said : "We got a unique opportunity to move with a lot of youths from different countries and to build the image of the country among them via different cultural and educational activities. We were able to perform our talents on an international stage and improve ourselves while learning a lot about Japan. It was a once in a life-time experience and we are planning to carry out post programme projects to contribute our best to the society".

The Fuji Maru ship visited Sri Lanka four times earlier and offered 134 Sri Lankan youth delegates to be a part of this programme on nine occasions.

The number of youth participants for the 25th SWY was 160 Japanese youths and 110 overseas participants.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised 10 members.