Twelve Fijian youths have been accepted by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan as Fiji’s representatives on the 29th Ship for World Youth Leaders Program from January 17 to March 3 next year.
The Fiji delegation to the Ship of the World program consists of seven men, including its team leader, and five women.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou said the Government of Japan through its Cabinet Office and the Embassy of Japan invited Fiji.
“It came through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we gladly accepted as we recognised the benefits for our Fijian youths. We are also pleased at the balance of men and women in the delegation,” Minister Tuitubou said.
The 12-member Fiji youth delegation will join 240 youths from 10 countries in Japan from January 17 to 28 for orientation and pre-departure training before they board the ship at Yokohama port.
“The 33-day voyage will take the Ship for World Youth from Yokohama to Vanuatu for refueling and to Auckland in New Zealand. From New Zealand, the Ship is expected to arrive into Fiji on Friday 17 February for port of call activities before it departs again on 20 February.”
“We are delighted and appreciate the Government of Japan for the invitation extended to Fiji and the opportunity to host youth delegations from Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Tonga, Ukraine, and Japan,” he said.
“I call on the youth selected to take this opportunity with both hands and to learn about other cultures and traditions while sharing the wealth of the Fijian culture and tradition.
“This program provides motivation for our young people to immerse themselves in learning what it takes to be a leader in our global village and I look forward to hearing of their exploits on their return as they share them with their peers.”
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