What is the Ship for World Youth?

The Ship for World Youth (SWY) is a unique international cultural exchange program organised by the Government of Japan. The most prestigious program of its kind, SWY brings together over 250 youth from around the world to learn about international cooperation and understanding. Over a two-month period, participants are involved in a wide range of activities aimed at fostering cultural sensitivity, understanding and friendship. Most of the program is conducted onboard the cruise liner Nippon Maru, with some activities scheduled in Japan and a several ports of call that are visited during the program.

Aims and objectives
How does it work?
What is the schedule on the Ship?

What are the countries visited?

How much does it cost?

What languages are used?
What should I take?
What will I get from the program?
History of SWY

Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the Ship for World Youth are:
… To foster the spirit and practice of international cooperation
… To promote friendship and mutual understanding between the youth of Japan and the youth of other parts of the world
… To broaden the international awareness of participants
… To develop youth capable of playing leading roles in various sectors of their societies and in turn contribute to the sound development of youth in their respective countries

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How does it work?

The Government of Japan plans, organises, implements and finances the Ship for World Youth. Each year a number of countries are invited to send a delegation to join the program. The combination of countries participating changes each year, with countries from the Americas and Oceania more likely to participate in the East-bound program that sails around the Pacific Ocean. Invited countries then choose a delegation of around 10 participants to act as ambassadors for their country during the program. In Canada's case, we typically receive the official invitation in early summer if we are invited and the deadline for applications is in the summer.

A typical program commences with the arrival of overseas participants in Japan. Participants spend a few days in Tokyo partaking in a number of institutional visits and experiencing some of the culturally significant parts of the city. Participants then spend a few days on a homestay with a Japanese family in another prefecture or province of Japan. This opportunity to stay with a family and experience Japanese life first-hand is one of the highlights of the program. The homestay is a fantastic opportunity for participants to learn about Japanese family lifeand to share with their host family what life is like in their own country. Many strong bonds of friendship develop and it is not uncommon for participants and their host families to continue to correspond and visit each other after the conclusion of the program.

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What is the schedule on the Ship?

As representatives of their country, participants are expected to share the views that the youth of their nation hold on a variety of issues. Delegates will present their culture, history, customs and values and participate in a range of discussions and seminars.
Life on the ship is an amazing experience. With participants from a diverse range of countries eating, sleeping, working and living side-by-side, there are many opportunities for improving cultural understanding, learning the principles of international cooperation and indeed for individual personal growth.

The formal program encompasses a range of activities that contribute to one or more of the objectives of SWY. The specific activities and focus areas differ from year to year, however the following are indicative of the types of activities that participants engage in:

… Cultural exchanges
… Sports activities
… Lectures by international specialists
… Formal and informal discussions
… Social events
… National presentations

In recent years, the formal discussion program has included such topics as:

… Reform of the United Nations
… Globalisation
… Fishing and Oceans
… Environment
… Women and Gender issues
… Volunteerism

University professors are on board to lead the seminars for their subject and takes into account the knowledge brought by the individuals from 10-15 nations.

The informal program is just as important in achieving the SWY objectives. Barriers and misconceptions are overcome as participants talk over lunch, minds are widened during dinner conversations, and life-long friendships are cemented as participants sing and dance well into the night. Delegates are expected to contribute to the informal program by presenting the Solomon Islands through presentations, discussion groups or other events.
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What are the countries visited?

The Government of Japan decides the route and countries that will be visited each year. At each port a cultural exchange takes place, usually with a welcome from the host country, which is reciprocated by the delegations, Participants visit significant places such as schools, museums, art houses, and cultural centres. Local organizations often arrange a sport event with local youth and there is usually free time to admire the sites and go shopping.

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How much does it cost?

The Ship for World Youth program is organized and implemented by the Management and Coordination Agency of the Japanese Government in conjunction with the Cabinet Office. The Government of Japan covers the cost of airfares to and accommodation in Japan and during the cruise. Only a small amount of spending money is needed for free time during port of call visits and to purchase items from the bar, vending machines & souvenir shop on board the Ship.
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What languages are used?

English is the common languages in the program. Other languages are considered an asset.

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What should I take?

Past participants will prepare the new delegates on how to prepare, but a good sense of humour and flexibility to live comfortably with others in close quarters is essential. For example, you might admire culture in the pages of a book but are you prepared to cope with your room-mate carrying out devotions five times a day in the only available space in your room? Each participant faces their own challenge on board but learn more about themselves as a result. Other than your personal belongings needed for two months, delegates should bring information you can take to share about your country. You will be continually called upon to share in presentations and workshops about issues facing your country and how they are dealt with.

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What will I get from the program?

Are the problems of the world going to be solved on this two-month program? Possibly, but probably not. What the program does do however is encourage participants to challenge the filters through which they view the world and illustrate that people from different nations can live together peacefully, learn from each other and work together to overcome differences and misunderstandings. Not to mention an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience as you learn about yourself and those around you.

Delegates range from 18 years old to 30 (and up to 39 for National Leaders), so each person takes away completely different experiences. For those traveling for the first time, it is an amazing opportunity that opens your ideas to new ways of thinking as well as exposure to some of the most amazing individuals from around the world. Delegates with more cultural experience and understanding have a greater role in promoting personal growth among other delegates as well as their own leadership skills. Regardless of your background, each delegate is immersed in an environment with young leaders from around the world in the arts, business, politics, environment and the community.

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History of SWY

In 1967, the Japanese government celebrated the centenary of the Meiji Restoration by launching the Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program. This initiative provided many Japanese Youth with an opportunity to travel overseas – something that they would have found difficult to do on their own. With 300 Japanese participants and 50 overseas participants, the focus of this program was to help Japanese youth see the world.
In the late 1980s, as a response to the increased role Japan played in international affairs, the rapid increase in internationalisation in many fields, and the changing social environment within Japan, the Japanese Government recognised the need to refocus their international youth exchange programs. As a result, the Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Program was reorganised and emerged as the Ship for World Youth, with a focus on promoting exchange between the youth of Japan and other participating nations.

Approximately 120 Japanese youth and 150 overseas youth participate in SWY each year. The first SWY was in 1989 and since then over 3,500 youth from around the world have experienced the program.
In 1999 SWY went through another reorganisation. Up to and including SWY11 in early 1999, SWY had been organised in an East-bound, West-bound fashion. This meant that in odd numbered years only nations in the Western hemisphere would be invited to participate and be ports of call for SWY. Similarly, in even numbered years only nations in the Eastern hemisphere would be invited to participate and be ports of call. However, from SWY12 at the end of 1999, each year nations from both hemispheres are now invited to participate, making the program truly a ship for world youth.
Alumni

The SWY 7 program in 1995 established an alumni network for past SWY participants. Since that time, over 40 SWY Alumni Associations (SWYAA) have been established around the world. As part of the alumni association and individually, past participants promote youth and social development within their community.