SSeayp Board takes oath before Japanese ambassador
IN a symbol of cultural exchange and stronger friendship between the Philippines and Japan, the 9th Term Board of Trustees of the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSeayp) International Philippines (SIP) were inducted by Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa last Monday, January 22.
SIP is a 36-year-old global youth organization consisting of SSeayp alumni organizations from Asean countries and Japan.
The organization serves as a connecting hub for promoting international youth exchange programs and sociocivic activities among its members. This is achieved through the participants’ living together on a ship, introducing their culture to one another, and participating in discussions and various exchange activities both on board and during ports of call.
“Today, we witness a celebration of leadership, friendship, service, and shared ideals that bring us across borders,” Kazuhiko said in his congratulatory message.
The ambassador shared that SIP projects have become a model program for training leaders and promoting cultural exchange between nations.
He also acknowledged the role of the National Youth Commission (NYC) in advocating for the causes of SIP.
“[Your] dedication to empowering the youth and your commitment to creating opportunity for the youth is a shining model for everyone,” Kazuhiko said.
In her acceptance speech, Michelle Uson Laurel shared the success stories of the youth leaders produced by SIP who are now in the academe, arts and media, foreign services, non-profit sector, business, and the government.
“Many of their traits and skills are due partly from their SSeayp experiences and networks they developed through the program,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Josette Biyo, director of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DoST-SEI) and former SSeayp participant, explained how her learnings from the program about 45 years ago contributed to her success.
“As the director of DoST-SEI, that collaboration, mutual respect, and understanding have helped me a lot in the work that I do. We are mandated to increase the number of science and technology human resources and one of our strongest partners is Japan. This year, we have over 60 scholars in various universities in Japan,” she said.
Also present during the oath-taking was NYC Chairman Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema, who lauded SIP as one of the best youth programs in the country.