Outlines of the Program

SWY is one of several youth exchange programs hosted by the Japanese government to foster international cooperation and promote friendship and mutual understanding between the youth of Japan and those of various countries of the world. Activities on board the ship, and encounters with local people in the countries to be visited, help the participants to broaden their international perspectives and understand common subjects from a global viewpoint. Norway has been represented at the 8th, 12th and 16th Ship for World Youth programs.

Purpose of the program
The purpose of "The Ship for World Youth" program is to foster the spirit of international cooperation and the competence to practice it as well as to promote friendship and mutual understanding between youths of Japan and youths of other parts of the world. In addition, the program aims at broadening the international awareness of participants through partaking in various activities on board the ship and in the countries to be visited, including study and discussion of common subjects from global viewpoints.

Participating youths are expected not only to play leaning roles in various sectors of their societies but also to contribute to the sound development of the youths in their countries after the program.

Sponsorship
The Ship for World Youth program is organized and implemented by the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government. The Government of Japan covers the air fare and accomodation and food in Japan and during the cruise.

Countries to be Visited
The Ship for World Youth program is carried out annually, and the ship sails in the direction of east and west from Tokyo in alternate years. In odd-numbered years, the ship sails across the Pacific Ocean and visits the Americas, and in even-numbered years, the ship sails across the Indian Ocean. In 2004, the ship visited India (Mumbai), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) and Seychelles (Port Victoria).

Participating Countries
The participants of the 2004 program are young people from Bahrain, Egypt, India, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Russia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and USA.

Common Language
English and Japanese are the common languages in the program.