BRUNEI participants of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) conducted a preview on the various performances that they will be presenting on board the ship during the two-month sea trip around Asia.
SSEAYP Brunei participants Muhammad Zulhardie Hj Hamdan (L) and Lamat Dubahar performing with the 'Memukun' during the Preview National Presentation held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Picture: Courtesy of Brunei Participating Youth 2011
Speaking during the Preview National Presentation event at Dewan Digadong of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports was Youth and Sports Acting Director Hj Mohd Zamri Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, who reminded the 28 Brunei Participating Youths (BPY) 2011 of the importance of understanding and respecting the way of life of other cultures.
"The attitude of tolerance and compromise, courtesy and concern, and helping fellow participants must always be among you," said the acting director.
Hj Mohd Zamri also reminded the participants that it is important for them to watch their behaviour as they will be the ambassadors for the Sultanate in front of the rest of the international participants in the programme.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, Youth Leader of the Brunei participants Mohd Nasroul Hizam Souyono said that they have prepared long and hard in preparation for this preview.
"Back in August, many of the participants didn't even know how to dance, and some had serious stage frights which we needed to overcome. A lot of groundwork had since been done to come to where we are today, ready to put on some great performances for the guest of honours at this preview," said the youth leader.
Aside from coming up with their own choreography for a mix modern and traditional dance to perform on board the ship, the BPYs also conducted training on research and presentation on topics such as health, education and international relations.
"The research skills are important as we will now be able to present concrete information for our fellow participants from other countries," added Mohd Nasroul.
The SSEAYP is an annual programme which began in 1974 to allow youths from Japan and Southeast Asian (SEA) countries to interact through living on the ship and participating in homestay programmes at the various SEA countries.
The participants will leave on October 25 for Yokohama, Japan, before commencing their journey on the ship to the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. They will return to Brunei on December 16.
Chua Guan Cheong
The Brunei Times
