The Wellspring

The Japanese Embassy in Australia is seeking participants for the 22nd Ship for World Youth program.

The Japanese government has announced that Australia has been selected as one of the countries that will participate in the 22nd Ship for World Youth (SWY22) Program, a two-month international cultural exchange program that brings together over 250 young people from around the world to learn about international cooperation and understanding. They are now inviting applications from young Australians aged 18-30 for Australia’s 12-member delegation. Selections is based on the ability of applicants to contribute to youth development activities (including international exchange activities) and their interest in and understanding of Japan.

Over a two-month period, participants will be involved in a wide range of activities aimed at fostering cultural sensitivity, understanding and friendship. Most of the program is conducted on board the cruise liner Fuji Maru, with some activities scheduled in Japan, and others in a number of seaports that are visited in the course of the voyage.

The basic itinerary of SWY22 in 2010 will be:

• Jan. 12 Arrival of the non-Japanese participants in Tokyo
• Jan. 13-21 Activities in Japan
• Jan. 22 Departure from Japan
• Jan. 22-March 5, Official on-board activities of the SWY22 program
• March 5 Return to Japan, disembarkation (all participants).

The Participating countries for SWY22 will be:

• Australia
• Bahrain
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Greece
• India
• Japan
• Kenya
• Oman
• Sri Lanka
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen

The ship will stop in India and the UAE.

For further information, see http://www.swyaustralia.org/ and http://www.swyaa.org/. To download application forms, see http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/education/Ship.htm.

Applications close 24 August, 2009.