What is the Ship for World Youth?

What is the Ship for World Youth?
A programme entirely funded by the Government of Japan to develop strong and continuing links with the youth of other nations. Beginning in the 60's, first for Japanese youth to visit other countries, it soon became a mixture of Japanese and overseas invited youth. The programme was reorganised in the 1980's to form the programme now known as the Ship for World Youth, held each year aboard the Nippon Maru.

Why is it run?
The Ship for World Youth (SWY) is one of several youth exchange programmes hosted by the Japanese government to foster international cooperation and promote friendship and mutual understanding between the youth of Japan and those of various countries of the world. Activities on board the ship, and encounters with local people in the countries to be visited, help the participants to broaden their international perspectives and understand common subjects from a global viewpoint. New Zealand has been represented at the 1st, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th , 13th 15th & 16th Ship for World Youth programs.

What is the purpose of the Programme?
The aims and objectives of the Ship for World Youth are:
· To foster the spirit of international cooperation and the competence to practice it
· 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

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 port of call visits and to purchase items from the bar, vending machines & souvenir shop on board the Ship.

Where do you go?
The Ship for World Youth program occurs annually, and the ship sails in the direction of east and west from Tokyo in alternate years. In odd-numbered years, the ship sails across the Pacific Ocean and visits the Americas, and in even-numbered years, the ship sails across the Indian Ocean.

In the last sailing, 2004, the ship visited India (Mumbai), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) and Seychelles (Port Victoria).

What is the ship like?
The Nippon Maru is an 8 level cruise ship where the participants share 3 to a cabin. Each cabin has 1 bathroom, with a shower and toilet. The Nippon Maru has full cruise ship facilities, such as catered dining, a small swimming pool, a gym room, shops, a study library, self service laundries, a bar, a sports deck and several indoor entertainment, relaxation and lecture areas.

Sounds pretty luxurious.
It is, there are also special facilities that operate on restricted hours, such as the Japanese bath's (single sex) and a Tatami tearoom, However it is not a professional cruise ship and the staff are not at the participants’ beck and call. Each participant is expected to play an active role in ship life, by respecting the Nippon Maru rules, and carrying out duties expected of a participant.

What languages are used?
English and Japanese are the common languages in the programme

What if you have special needs?
The food is a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine, and is buffet style. Halal food is offered, and other dietary requirements can also be met. The ship has a lift to each floor and is able to cater for people who find it difficult to walk, such as those with cerebral palsy. However the ship is not suitable for people who are confined to a wheelchair.

What are the rules?
The ship will require participants to stay out of many areas, especially operational areas. It also imposes time limits on the operation of some facilities. Meal hours are also strictly observed, and all food must stay in the dining room. These are examples of the rules that participants need to abide by, including of course being considerate to others around you. The ship is governed by the Japanese national law, and as such some policies common in New Zealand do not apply. For example, it is permitted to smoke within the ship in designated smoking areas.

What do you do?
Through the entire voyage seminars, club meetings, workshops, discussions and other activities are organised. Some are a lot of fun, such as sports day. Others are created by the participants to further their interest in a particular area-such as teaching first aid, indigenous dance, language lessons, and musical groups. Each voyage also has a group of specially invited lecturers who will give lectures in their fields of knowledge, which have all been chosen to represent the international flavour of the ship.

How many countries are represented?
Of the 15 countries selected there is generally a mix from North and South America, the Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Russia, and of course Japan. Each country has a delegation usually between 9-15 participants. This means there is a mix of languages on the ship, and although English is the official working language of the ship, in practice a number of languages will make communication happen. Often, the countries visited will have there own language so it is helpfully to learn from those onboard.

Does the ship go to Japan?
Yes, the program starts in Japan; participants will be flown to Tokyo first. There, they stay in a hotel as you receive an orientation and introduction to Tokyo and Japanese culture, then they will go on a short homestay in a different prefecture 'area' of Japan. After that participants will go back to Tokyo and board the Nippon Maru, usually the first night onboard the ship is spent at the dock for participants to settle into ship life, and then the ship will set sail. In some cases participants are flown to Singapore where the Nippon Maru will be waiting. The ship returns to Japan at the conclusion of the program.

What are the countries visited?
During the voyage the ship will dock at between 3-4 ports. They vary from ship to ship but are always represented by a delegation on that particular program. The Government of Japan decides the route and countries that will be visited in advance and you will be told of these when you apply for the program. At each port a cultural exchange takes place, usually with a welcome from the host country, which is reciprocated by the delegations, Then, there is sometimes an opportunity for a homestay, or to visit significant places, such as schools, museums, art houses, cultural centres, there is also free time made available to admire the sites and go shopping.

What should I take?
A good sense of humor, and flexibility to live comfortably with others in close quarters. 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 most are united in saying afterwards that they learnt more about themselves as a result. Naturally you will need to pack enough clothes etc to look after yourself for the time that you are away, and the more information you can take to share about your country, the better, as you will be continually called upon to share in presentations and workshops about issues facing your country and how they are dealt with, as well as sharing the culture.

How do I share culture and make presentations?
This will be discussed at interviews and in preparation for the program, but as there is no email, internet and only emergency phone access on the ship, most participants need to take stock of items that can be used in displays, drama, and so on.

What happens if there is an emergency?
You have to have full medical insurance to participate, but the ship travels with 2 nurses and a doctor. However, they can only provide short- term care. If you need hospitalisation the ship will have to dock at a nearby port and you will be treated there, and then flown home. The phone and fax on the ship operate via satellite and are there for very expensive to use and you will have to pay for this service yourself.

How do I apply?
Each year, the New Zealand Government waits to hear if it has been invited to participate. If so, it posts the invitation out to all youth organisations that have registered interest with the Ministry of Youth Affairs. It also puts the application form on the Ministry of Youth Affairs web site, and the New Zealand Ship for World Youth Alumni Association 'NZSWYAA' will also have the application and information available on this web site. After the invitation has been received, which will give the number of positions available, the dates for the program and the route, the Ministry then invites applications from young people involved in youth activity, you don't have to be member of a youth organisation, but you need to show that you are actively involved with youth. After that the Ministry and the NZSWYAA will short list the applicants, and members of the NZSWYAA will interview those on the short list. The successful applicants will be notified of their success, and will begin to prepare for the program. You can also email us at the NZSWYAA to find out more if you have specific queries.

What about when it's all over?
We have an active and growing alumni in New Zealand that we strongly encourage participants to join. There will be no one else who will listen to your tapes, watch your videos, or flick through your photos for hours on end with you. But seriously, we enjoy playing a role afterwards to contribute something back to the program that gave so much to us. Previous participants who are now aged between 30 and 35 may also be interested in applying to be a national leader on future voyages.

There is also the opportunity to participate in follow-up conferences in Japan. If the Japanese Government asks for representatives from New Zealand to attend, then the NZSWYAA directly nominate and endorse those representatives.