Wednesday, October 26, 2011
TWENTY-EIGHT young ambassadors for the Sultanate left for Yokohama, Japan, to participate in the 38th Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP), yesterday.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah handed over the national flag to Hj Mohammad Noor Hj Hamid, leader of the Brunei youth participants (BPYs), at the Departure Hall of Brunei International Airport.
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| (Top) Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Hj Hazair (centre, wearing red tie), speaking to participants of SSEAYP 2011, prior to their departure for Japan at Brunei International Airport. Standing on the minister's left is Japanese Ambassador Noriki Hirose, and on the right 38th SSEAYP national leader Hj Mohammad Noor. (Above) Some of the female BPYs join in prayers to ask for Allah SWT's blessings and a safe trip. Pictures: BT/Rudolf Portillo |
The minister offered words of encouragement to the participants saying that the trip was an opportunity for them to display Brunei's culture to participants from Southeast Asian nations and Japan, and also enhance relations among the countries.
"The SSEAYP gathers the young people for networking where there is an exchange of ideas, promote understanding and cooperation," said the minister adding that the participants will return as individuals with fresh new ideas, knowledge and image.
Hj Mohammad Noor, a former youth participant in 1987, said that the BPYs hopes to showcase the best cultural performance.
"This year, we aim to try something new by showcasing the contemporary Bruneian culture, which displays that we are on par with the globalised digital world while still maintaining our rich values and traditions," said the leader adding that it is important for the contingent to carry their responsibilities with dedication and a heart for learning.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, participant Ireni Sufinah Ali Rahman explained that two months of hard discussion and preparation were made to ensure that they present a good performance to the other countries.
"As Brunei representatives, I feel very nervous but quite excited about the trip, we even had vocal training exercises and we are ready to put on some great performances," said the 27-year-old.
SSEAYP is an annual programme which began in 1974 to allow youths from Japan and Southeast Asian countries to interact and enhance bilateral ties through living on board the Fuji Maru ship and participating in homestay programmes. It is also hoped to establish understanding and cooperation among the Asean and Japan youths on various aspects such as lifestyle, culture and economic development.
This would be achieved through cultural performances and exhibitions as well as other activities like talks, safety training and lectures.
The BPYs will join the other 291 participants in Japan before embarking on a 53-day journey to various ports of call, namely the Philippines, Brunei (November 16-19), Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, before sailing back to Japan.
They will return to the country on December 16.
The Brunei Times
AZAMRI ZAINAL AND WARDI BUNTAR
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
