Young leaders assemble to represent NZ on world stage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release: SWY NZ Alumni
Association
Young leaders assemble to represent New Zealand on world stage
A diverse and passionate group of
young leaders have been chosen to form the New Zealand
delegation to the 32nd Ship for World Youth
programme.
The annual programme is organised and funded
by the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government and brings
more than 200 young leaders from 11 countries together for
several weeks on board the Nippon Maru next January
and February.
The aims of the programme include fostering
the spirit of international cooperation and the competence
to practice it, while developing leadership capabilities of
participating youth in various areas of international
society.
On board the ship, participants will be
involved in professional development courses delving into
topics such as cultural heritage preservation, health and
wellbeing, and ethical technology development.
The 12 New Zealand delegates hail from around the country, including Wanaka, Kapiti Coast, Hawkes Bay, Hamilton, and Auckland. Equally diverse professionally, they include public servants, youth workers, and university students studying subjects such as te reo Māori and marine science.
A
training camp hosted at Waipapa Marae in Auckland saw the
group build connections with each other and prepared them
for life on board a ship with youth from around the world.
During the programme, the ship will also make a port of call
in Mexico, where participants will visit dignitaries and
learn more about Mexican history and culture.
All the
participating youth will also spend two weeks in Japan,
experiencing the local environment, including homestaying
with Japanese host families.
The delegation’s National
Leader and Advisor at the Ministry of Youth Development,
Neill Ballantyne, said that the participants are dedicated
to being good ambassadors for New Zealand and are already
learning new waiata, haka, and stories to share with the
other young leaders from around the world on the
programme.
“New Zealand can be truly proud of the 11
rangatahi who will be representing them on the 32nd Ship for
World Youth Programme. They are a talented mix of young
people who are united in their commitment and passion for
their communities” Mr Ballantyne said.
The New Zealand
delegation leaves for Japan on January 10 to join others
from Bahrain, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Egypt,
France, UK, and Japan. Each country has 12 delegates, with
the exception of Japan, which has 120.
The programme has
an established pedigree of participants in its 32 years,
such as three-term New Zealand Prime Minister Helen
Clark.
You can keep up with the delegation on the facebook page www.facebook.com/swynz
ENDS