28 Laotian youth leaders and young professionals are chosen across Laos as delegates to the 2007 Ship for SouthEast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

The 28 Lao participating youth are part of a 300-member delegation from within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan...more info >>

The SSEAYP, an annual youth diplomatic cultural exchange program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan, administered in the country by the National Youth Commission (NYC), and is participated in by delegations from Japan and the ASEAN countries, aims to “cultivate the spirit of Asian cooperation” through fostering and strengthening camaraderie and mutual understanding between and among the young people of Southeast Asia and Japan by providing 300 of them annually the opportunity to live together for around two months on board luxury sea vessel M/S Nippon Maru and visit the participating countries.

While on board the ship, the participants will have interactions through solid group activities, discussions, exhibits, cultural presentations and other activities. While on country visits, they will undertake various activities such as courtesy call, interaction with local youth, educational visits to relevant institutions, and home stay with local families.

The Lao delegation will join its counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan in Singapore on October 22 for the inauguration ceremony.

SSEAYP 2007 is scheduled to be held from 22 October to 12 December 2007. During this period, the ship will visit five of the ten ASEAN countries namely Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos (by air) and Japan

Members of the Lao Participating Youths (LPY) to this year’s SSEAYP include Tomm, member of Princess, famous group girl band.

SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Vietnam participated in the programme in 1996 while Laos and Myanmar participated in 1998. Cambodia joined the programme in 2000.

MORE PHOTOS OF LAO Participating youth this year at: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=13413226

http://samakomlao.blogspot.com

The Lao National Tourism Administration will host an Asean tourism forum next month, with the aim of promoting eco-tourism in Laos and in other Asean member countries.

The 2007 Lao Ecotourism Forum will bring together and display the highest quality and most innovative ecotourism products and services on offer in the Mekong Region.

Lao Ecotourism Forum, which comes alive from 26 to 29 July in Laos will be one of the biggest Ecotourism based travel Mart in Asia. ‘Laos is one of the leading Asian countries that practises Eco Tourism in to its true colours... more info>>

2007 Lao Ecotourism Forum will come alive under the theme 'Bridging the Mekong Region'. The main stake holders of the Forum would be tour operators, travel agents, accommodation providers, development agencies, government authorities and indigenous communities from throughout the Asia Region. They will gather under the same roof to network and expand ecotourism opportunities in their respective countries. This event is a must for anyone interested in shaping the course of ecotourism development.

Objectives of the Forum

*To promote high quality ecotourism-related products and services that showcase the natural and cultural heritage of Laos and the Mekong Region

*Increase business opportunities and networking between ecotourism providers and consumers, with an aim to increase knowledge of the Mekong Region around the world

*To facilitate discussions and an exchange of ideas about the successes and potential for developing ecotourism programs that support poverty alleviation and the protection of natural and cultural heritage in the Mekong Region

*To build the links with the Asian Eco Tourism operators and buyers.

If you are aged between 18-30,
If you are interested in raising cultural awareness
If you are interested in promoting international understanding
If you are interested in promoting Laos to ASEAN countries and Japan

Here is your chance ...

The 34th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP)2007

SSEAYP is an annual program sponsored by the Cabinet Office of Japan and participated by delegations from Japan and the ASEAN, seeks to promote and strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among the young people of the participating ASEAN countries and Japan by providing them the opportunity to live together on board the luxury vessel M/S Nippon Maru, visit the participating countries, and engage in various activities such as institutional visits and goodwill exchanges with local youth. The tentative ports of call this year will start from Japan, and then sail to Singapore, Indoenesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam before heading back to Japan, totally around 2 months.

Participants
1. 18-30 years of age, Lao citizen
2. Able to participate throughout the program
3. Having a command of English adequate to enable participation in the activities both on board and in the countries visited.
4. In good health, both physically and mentally.
5. Adaptable to an orderly group life in accordance with the program schedule
6. Having a good understanding of, and interest in, the countries visited

Payment of Expense:
1. The Government of Japan shall bear the following costs, as well as the costs required for the operation of the ship.

1.1 Airfare for participating youths from their countries to the starting point.
1.2 Airfare for participating youths from the finished point to their countries.
1.3 Meals and beverages served according to the designated schedule on board the ship
1.4 Transportation for study tours , etc. in the designated itinerary in countries visited
1.5 Transportation , admission fees , accommodation and meals required for study tours in the designated itinerary in Japan

Disqualification:
Anyone disqualified as National Leader or participating youth (including those who are unable to continue their participation due to any cause for which the Government of Japan is not responsible) must pay their own expenses for returning home. Japanese government will not respond for medical service in any case except service by doctor on board the ship.

2. Each country respond for:
2.1 Selection and training
2.2 Welcome all participant youths in country program
2.3 Airport tax
2.4 Accident insurance

3. Participating youth respond for:
3.1 Medical inspections for health
3.2 any suitable expense

For more info of how to apply, contact
Lao Youth Union
ສຳນັກງານ ( ສູນກາງ ຊປປລາວ )
ບ້ານ ໂພນທັນເໜືອ ເມືອງໄຊເສດຖາ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ
ໂທ:( 856-21)-417108-416, ແຟັກ: ( 856-21 )-416727
E-mail: info@laoyouth.org.la
http://www.saonoumlao.org.la/