Saturday, October 22, 2011
On Thursday, the contingent paid a courtesy call on the Acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman. During the meeting, she urged the youths to make full use of the opportunity as it will hone their leadership and communications skills.
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| Some of Brunei's SSEAYP participants during a pre-departure ceremony hosted by Japanese Anbassador Noriki Hirose. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal |
Datin Hjh Adina said she believed that Brunei youth possess creativity, which resulted in many good reviews of their preview performance held on October 17.
She praised the efforts that the participants have put into their preparation and urged them to continue using their creativity in achieving greatness for the nation.
Dubbed the nation's mini ambassadors, they were reminded by the Acting Minister to always showcase the values of Brunei, to comply with the regulations and set an example to the others.
Speaking during yesterday's ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Noriki Hirose said the programme was not only a great opportunity for the youth to learn how to discipline themselves but to also trigger their minds on an international level through living together on board the ship and interacting with friends from diversified backgrounds.
"In this regard, I hope all participants of the 38th SSEAYP will fully enjoy all the activities, broaden your horizons and grow up to be a prominent leader in the respective areas that you are engaged in like many of your OG and OB once you are back in the country," he said.
He also urged the participants to maintain their friendships with the other participants they will be meeting from the other Asean countries and Japan once the programme ends as cultivating a life-long friendship is based on mutual understanding and trust.
"In Japan, we say, 'friends are those who share food out of the same pan'. I believe, (that) can nurture continuing peace and stability within the region in the due course of time when the flowers of friendship is brought into full bloom," said the ambassador.
A total of 330 youths from Brunei, Japan and Asean member countries who will be on board the Japanese cruise friendship ship will be in Brunei from November 16 to 19.
The scheduled 53-day-cruise from October 25 to December 16, 2011, will dock at various ports of calls in Japan and Asean countries.
Hirose also acknowledged the presence of the alumni association of the SSEAYP programme, Bersatu, yesterday which has developed its network with more than two hundred active members in line with providing strong support for not only SSEAYP but also other Japanese-related events.
Present as the guest of honour yesterday was deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Hj Ismail POKPS DP Hj Hashim, who was accompanied by Bersatu Association President Hj Jailani Hj Ibrahim.
Yesterday's ceremony was held at the Millenium Restaurant and was attended by all 29 Brunei participants as well as officers and staff from the Youth and Sports Department and the Embassy of Japan.
The Brunei delegation is expected to depart from the Sultanate this coming Tuesday.
The Brunei Times
AMIR NOOR AND RASIDAH HAB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
