SWY16 - Diary 1 (Therese)

Now we are on the ship! It is a wonderful feeling, sitting on the top deck under a warming sun, with the winds of the Indian Ocean breezing past you. The horizon is clear no matter where I look; the whole world seems divided in two entities, the sea and the sky. But perhaps the most beautiful thing here is the mixture of nationalities.

The top deck is a realm of its own where sun-hungry Norwegians, Americans and Russians gather to get those serotonin-levels working. Only one example of how cultures come together.

Life is intense. I have never made so many friends in such a short period of time, I think we have all come to the point of realising that this trip will be exactly what we make of it. We have spent our time well so far, initiatives have ranged from songbook-making to requests for extraordinary and more intimate meeting with Dr. Rao, UN official.

The core of the program, what is it? Discussions and seminars, or friendships?

The seminars allow us to reach a higher academic level, and discussing gives us the chance to aspire in our own opinions that undoubtedly bear evidences of a newly acquired tolerance. This has its root in the fact that the other countries, that play a big role in our lives nowadays, are personified in new friends. More respect and tolerance is generated. We are becoming better listeners, perhaps the most important thing in our world today.

The program was kicked off at the United Nations University in Tokyo . The director was on the panel. He answered eloquently, but in the end writhed his way out of Finn's (Norwegian delegate) everlasting request to recognize the potential of youths in decision-making.

Here on the ship, cultural differences are constantly expressed, and on many levels to that. A Japanese girl came to me after a discussion on poverty with the realization that she knew nothing of the problem, nothing constructive, but she was enthusiastic to learn. When an American delegate asked me whether the Norwegian talking of immigrants in Norway was liberal or conservative, I saw the homogeneity of Norwegian politics; I could only reply that he was politically active. Other differences are harder. I felt an obvious case of discrimination, in this case of women, and the other took this as something natural. One cannot get impose one's own views, one cannot get angry or agitated, that is to no use. One learns to tolerate this as well, because if you do not, there will be more intolerance of the world, then it will move nowhere else but backwards.

The Japanese influence is ubiquitous. We are now mastering the art of chopsticks, and some have boldly gone to the extent of eating nato (sticky smelly soybeans) and tofu soup on a regular basis. We feel healthy when doing that, and realize that the Japanese have understood a thing or to when it comes to health. What is most characteristic of the Japanese is that they are all sympathetic! Without exception, so far, their behavior has always been friendly, very friendly.

I have watched national presentations, a 30 minute show performed by each delegation, and this has truly been a privilege. I saw New Zealanders show the intense and shocking face of Maori warriors, the meditative nature of Indians through their yoga, and Peruvians playing their original pan flute. What all cultures have in common is dancing. An Egyptian girl doing her veiled belly-dancing, the exotic dances of the Seychellois, Indians dancing to Punjabi MC is a high point, Peruvians with their salsa, and of course, Norwegians with ‘take on me', karaoke version. What strikes me is the authenticity, these are not polished pictures, these are my friends.

Tomorrow will be another structured day with seminars ranging from Brazilian cultures to empowerment of youth in the UN. We are moving along the west coast of India , and in two days time we will be in Mumbai. There, sessions on AIDS and women's education awaits us. We cannot wait. Although each moment onboard is precious.

Therese