Annual Report (Bahrain, 2002)

1. Introduction

We are pleased and honored to submit the Association�fs events and activities for the year 2002. During the year we were working on building the infrastructure of SWYAAB in terms of identifying a clear strategy and setting rules and procedures to establish clear management grounds for the former and future Board of Directors members. Moreover as we were established under the umbrella of the General Organization for Youth and Sports we are working to get permanent premises and yearly budget as per the rules and regulations of the organization.
Most important we have worked hard with officials in the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to facilitate the embarkation of the ship Nippon Maru in the Bahraini waters for SWY 16 program and we have successfully received their approval for a free of charge anchor.

2. A preview of SWYAAB 2002 Activities

a. SWYAAB Reception 2nd of March 2002
Under the patronage of his Excellency sheikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa the Head of the General Organization for Youth and Sports and his Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in the Kingdom of Bahrain and his wife the Ship for World Youth Alumni Association of Bahrain held an introductory gathering attended by the members of SWYAAB and other officials from different organizations. The aim of the gathering was to introduce SWYAAB to the community in Bahrain.
The Program started with a fascinating drums performance by two of the SWY14 ex-participants and then a preview of the goals and accomplishments of SWYAAB since 1998, and a video clip about SWY14 trip.
The event was a benchmark for SWYAAB to be well known in the youth community.

b. �gTerry Fox Run�h supporting Cancer patients
SWYAAB members participated in the Terry Fox Run in February 2002 supporting cancer patients sponsored by the General Organization for Youth and Sports. SWYAAB was one of many youth and other organizations supporting caner patients.

c. Bahrain 3rd Reunion March 23-27 2002
20 ex-participants from Japan, Australia, and Britain, visited Bahrain from the 23rd to the 27th of March 2002. A condensed program was set including official, touristy, and recreational activities and visits. The group visited the Bahrain Museum, the house of Qura�fan, the Tree of Life, the desert, a Dhow sea trip , Handicraft center, the Gold market, a lecture by the Economic Development Board of Bahrain, Al-Fateh Mosque, City Bank, The Gulf Petrochemical Company, a visit to the residence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan, a ladies night, and a youth gathering meeting Bahraini youth from schools of Bahrain and some officials from different organizations.

d. The General Board Meeting, 1st of April
The second general board biannual meeting took place in April 2002, in the presence of the Director of the Youth Activities at the General Organization for Youth and Sports and two of their senior staff. Majority of board members were reelected and the new board members took over their respective responsibilities.

e. Summer Activities June, August 2002
During the summer of 2002, sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa the President of the General Organization for Youth and sports delegated SWYAAB to take part in designing and implementing summer activities for Bahraini youth from June-August 2002. The program was divided into daily workshops and classes (1) Presentation skills (2) Handicrafts classes (3) Photography classes (4) Sports activities (5) First Aid classes (6) Arts Classes. The second part was organizing big youth events and invite youth to participate. Three Major events were conducted:

• The First Youth Conference 2002 ? Holiday Inn: 80 Bahraini youth from local and international universities gathered to set their �gNational Youth Strategy�h and discussed several issues related to Education, Health, Social Security, Tourism, Technology and Communication, Religion, Environment. A proposed �gNational Youth Strategy�h was submitted to His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al-Kahlifa the head of the General Organization for Youth and Sports. Recommendations raised by this conference were submitted to the UNDP representatives in Bahrain for the studies to be conducted on youth status in Bahrain.
• The First Youth Career�fs Day 2002 ? Holiday Inn: 70 Bahraini youth from local and international universities joined discussion gathering with professionals representing different disciplines such as: IT and Communication, Law, Accounting, Marketing, Medicine, Education, Media. Youth selected their interest and joined circled discussions headed by professionals from each of the discipline.
• Ladies night: 50 Ladies attended the night which included games, traditional dances, Henna, and recreational activities.
• Summer Activities Farewell party: The farewell party was held under the patronage of his Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa the President of the General Organization for Youth and Sports and other officials representing different organizations. The party included a general preview of all the activities and events, poetry, presentations, and distribution of gifts and certificates.

f. Meeting with HE the Japanese Ambassador and Journalist after the arrival form the Renaissance leaders program in October 2002
His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in the Kingdom of Bahrain invited the participating group in the Renaissance Youth Leaders Program 2002 (Wafa Al-Ammadi representing the leadership group, Elham Al-Kooheji representing the Development & Environment group, Hamsa Saeed representing the Education group, and Maysa Al-Ansari representing the Mass Media group). During the meeting, the program was discussed, what was gained from the participation, and what the post program plans were with the press and his Excellency.

g. Holy month of Ramadan Activities November 2002

• Lecture entitled (NLP ? Neuro-Lingusitic programming):
  Lecture held by Mr. Salah Al-Yafie about the Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which is the study of human excellence and the ability to do the best in life. It is a powerful and practical approach to personal change. It is the new technology of achievement and its effect on our lives in terms of living positively.
• Meeting with the Bahrain disabled sports Federation and Bahraini youth: A very intimate gathering with 3 disabled youth representing the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation who participated in the 22 Oita Wheelchair Marathon in Buppu, Oita ? Japan. Mr. Ryadh Al-Marzooq won the first place Golden medal in the half marathon class 2. Other members in the group were Mr. Adel Sultan AlMutawa , Abbass Saleh, and Sayed Noor Jawad. Two other youth attended the meeting, Mr. Mohamed Al-Swaidi who studied the Japanese language for nine months in Osaka in the International Co-Operation Center for Japanese Studies and Miss Shima Aqeel who workes for the Nihon Keizai Shimbun ? The Bahrain Office, and last Mr. Rashid Mohammed who puzzled Japan for 3 weeks in a Strategic Meeting regarding future prospects for Bahrain Market. He visited SEC plant - Kyoto, Torishima Pump Plant - Osaka, Nec Electronic Maker ? Nagoya and steel mill - Wakayama. He is still working for Sumimoto ? Bahrain branch. This sort of meetings brings us closer to those who share similar experiences.
• An Islamic Lecture �gThe practical meanings of some verses form the Holy Book �gQura�fan�h: As part of the spiritual Ramadan activities Mr. Ali Abdulla gave us a lecture about some practical meanings of some verses from the Qura�fan.
  iv. Presentations to SWYAAB members about the Renaissance Youth Leaders Program participation in September 2002: The participants in the Renaissance Youth Leaders Program 2002 conducted a presentation in the Holy monthly of Ramadan sharing their experience in the trip.

h. Participation in the Celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Japan
In December 2002 during the celebrations of the Kingdom of Bahrain National day (16th of December) the Japanese Embassy organized a national event celebrating 30 years of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The event was the YABUSAME performance and 6 of our male members participated as a support team in the game.

i. Others

• participating in the selection and preparation for other international programs: His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa the President of the General Organization for Youth and Sports delegated SWYAAB to participate in the selection and preparation for two international programs sponsored by the Organization: (1) The 37th International Youth Camp in Korea 14-22 of July 2002 and (2) The Building Bridges program between the west and the east 15-23 August 2002. The Association designed special selection and preparation criteria�fs for both programs. One of our ex-participants, Elham Al-Kooheji from SWY14, was chosen to lead the delegation to the International youth Camp in Korea.
• Creating a volunteers network: SWYAAB created an electronic volunteers network to create a communication line with the Bahraini youth representing different sectors of the local community; school youth, youth who participated in different programs, youth representing different youth organizations and associations. The aim of the network is to discuss different

3. Upcoming Activities and plans

a. Youth Research Project 2003
This project is targeting Bahraini youth and aims to measure their attitudes, values, and vision for the future. A committee was formed representing SWYAAB members and volunteers. The deadline for this project is December 2003 and subject to extension.

b. The National youth Volunteers Project 2003
The aim of this project is to create a national volunteers network or database to be linked to different private and governmental organization, Societies, Associations, and other entities to invest and utilize the power of the Bahraini volunteers by all means. A committee was formed representing SWYAAB members and volunteers. The deadline for this project is December 2003 and subject to extension.

c. Procedures Manual of SWYAAB
The Board of Directors are working on the procedures manual of SWYAAB which includes the management codes of practice and ethics in the Association, and highlight the duties and responsibilities of the board of directors. The procedures details some other rules regarding managing events and activities, selection and preparation for SWY programs, the ethics of nominating members to participate in other post programs activities etc.

4. To Conclude

Greetings form all the SWYAAB members. Hope we made a difference in our community �c and would be a unique experience to learn from other AA�fs. We are pleased to confirm our invitation to the Japanese government to sail in the Bahraini waters�c