Jakarta, 23 November 2011

More than 350 youth participants of the 38th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) visited the ASEAN Secretariat today. The SSEAYP is a joint programme between Japan and the ASEAN Member States that brings together youths from these 11 countries. The youths spend about two months sailing to various ASEAN countries and participating in various exchange activities, both onboard and in the countries visited.

They were welcomed by Director of Cross-Sectoral Cooperation, ASCC Department, Mr Larry Maramis. The participants learnt about ASEAN and its cooperation on youth, as well as ASEAN’s projects on youth with Japan. They also had the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan during their visit.

Spanning from October to December 2011, the participants will visit other ASEAN destinations before sailing back to Japan.