ACSO: Cambodian Students To Attend 37th ASEAN Youth Program

Cambodian Students To Attend 37th ASEAN Youth Program

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has met with 29 Cambodian students who will join the 37th ship of Southeast Asian Youth Program in 2010 before departing their visits in ASEAN countries and Japan from October 25th to December 15th and it will last for 52 days.

“The important things, you all need to keep identity and dignity of Cambodian youth from a country that has territorial sovereignty, independence, and equality for cooperation in ASEAN region,” Mr. Eang Sophallet, personal assistant to the Prime Minister told reporters at the Council of Ministers after the meeting on October 12th.

You all have to promote the progressive development of tradition, civilization, culture of our country to other friends on board from region and Cambodian students who joined the program for this time need to share experience and knowledge to other Cambodians when you all are back, said Prime Minister was quoted as saying by Sophallet. Samdech highlighted the importance for participating Cambodia in the ASEAN association, and the future ASEAN community,” Sophallet added. Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen also provided $ 500 in pocket for each student who joined the program this year.

Cambodian delegation leaves for the 37th ship of ASEAN Youth Program, leading by Mr. Hut Seang Hay. He told The Southeast Asia Weekly that before we go on board, Cambodian students need to train about cultural performing for a few months. “The purpose of this program is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among the youth of Japan and Southeast Asian countries, to broaden their perspective on the world, as well as to strengthen their motivation and ability in international cooperation by participating in discussions, in on-board introductions to each country, and in various exchange activities both on-board and in the countries visited,” he said. He stressed that in addition, the participation youths are expected to progress to leadership positions in youth activities, and in various other sections, their own country after this program.

The ship for Southeast Asia program is based on the respective joint statements issues on January 1974 between Japanese government and Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. And Brunei joined in 1985, Vietnam in 1996, and Laos in 1998, and Cambodia in 2000. This program is carried out by the government of Japan with active participation and cooperation of these ten Southeast Asian countries.

He said this program is a great opportunity for all Cambodian youth to show their ability and represent their country in global stage. Usually, successive has given the chance to visit four countries in Southeast Asia and Japan by ship in order to show their
tradition, culture, and ability. Under the ship for the Southeast Asian youth program in 2010, the young crew will discuss the youth’s participation in social activities including culture, environment, international relations, education, health, and food and community development. The ship will pass through Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam before ending on December 16th and departure will start on October 25th.

He continued to say that this year, the theme for Japan-ASEAN youth program: “the youth participation in social activities–towards better society”. The participants will understand the significance of the youth participation in social activities by discussing
youth’s role and possibility as leader to create a society and they will recognize what the youth can do to promote a better society. Generally, the participants need to identify and appreciate the opportunities and responsibilities that are given to the youth of today, and realize the importance of the active involvement of youth to the social activities, and have clear image of the world that they want to create in the future together with fellow participants and be empowered and developed the perception, ability and aptitude as youth to take initiative in creating the better society.

He noted that the participants will divide into eight group and they will discuss on the corporate social contribution, cross-cultural understanding promotion, environment including climate change, food culture and food and nutrition education, health education (measures against HIV/ AIDS, international relations (Japan- ASEAN cooperation), school education and youth development in current context.

Mr. Moeng Norn, Chairman of the ASEAN Youth Association of Cambodia, said that Cambodia gets huge benefits for joining the programs and they have chance to meet other ASEAN youth on board. While on board we discuss various topics from environmental to economic issues and make friends through strengthening friendship and cooperation for the future of the ASEAN region and Japan.

need to perform our cultural shows for our identity of each country and through performing will help share experience and tradition for group that will contribute to strengthening cooperation for country, solidarity and understandings, responsibility for region. They are future leaders, and it is a great thing for them to know each other from now,” he told The Southeast Asia Weekly.(Source:SEAW/October 20, 2010)

Posted in: ASEAN Youth Program,Cambodia Students Online,News