Tongan youth to participate in Japan’s 2016 Ship for World Youth Program Featured
H.E Mr. Yukio Numata with Hon. Penisimani Fifita and the 12 successful elected participants to represent Tonga in the 2016 Ship for World Youth Program
12 December, 2016. His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga congratulated the 12 successful applicants to represent Tonga in Japan’s 2016 Ship for World Youth Program during a reception at his residence, on Tuesday 6 November.
Honorable Penisimani Fifita, Minister for Internal Affairs attended the occasion together with Mr. Lokuvalu Leha, President of Tonga’s Ship for World Youth Alumni Association, Members of the Tonga Ship for World Youth Alumni, Ms. ‘Eleni Fausitina Po’ese, Tonga’s National Leader for the 2016 Ship for World Youth Program, and the successful applicants.
In the welcoming remarks from His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata he encourage Tonga’s elected participants to widen their knowledge and deepen their friendship among participants from nine different countries and Japan’s young leaders, during their voyage.
“This is the embodiment of our dream to gather youth from all over the world to promote peace and harmony through mutual understanding and cultural interaction,” said the Ambassador.
Hon. Penisimani Fifita in his keynote address acknowledged the significant of the program which not only empower the youth of Tonga but directly relate to the vision of Tonga Strategic Development Framework 2015 – 2025, targeting a more progressive Tonga supporting higher quality of life for all, and supporting also the Sustainable Development Goals.
“To the successful participants who have been selected to represent Tonga, you are Good Ambassador for our Country, do your best at all time in whatever tasks assigned to you,” stated Hon. Fifita.
Japan’s Ship for World Youth was launched in 1988 with the objective to broaden the international perspectives, promote mutual understanding and friendship among the Japanese youth and the youth from around the world.
The selected participants for the 2016 Program will first stay in Japan for 10 days activities, which include an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan, courtesy call on the Prime Minister, homestay and onshore training.
After the training, they will depart from Yokohama port and will be engaged in programs onboard the ship from 30th January 2017 including country visits to Auckland, New Zealand and Suva, Fiji and are expected to return on 3rd March.
Youth from the Kingdom first participated in the program in 1991, and Tonga was absent from the program since 2008.
Japanese “sake” and Japanese delicacies were served and were enjoyed by the guests, during the reception.
- Embassy of Japan in Tonga
