The Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union will soon invite applications for the 35 th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme from students and government and NGO officials, according to a top official.

The programme aims to give young people with knowledge and talent the chance to demonstrate their traditions and culture to their Asean peers on the Asian stage.

The union's General Secretary, Mr Khamphanh Sitthidampha, made the announcement on Thursday at a meeting to evaluate the 34 th programme. He said the Youth Union and its provincial branches would advertise through the media and posters...more >>

The major objective of this programme is to promote friendship and understanding among youths from the Asean countries and Japan , he said.

Mr Khamphanh said the annual event was sponsored by the Japanese government and supported by Asean countries. Candidates should possess a track record of active youth, community or public service and be outstanding youths capable of assuming an ambassadorial role for Laos . They should be between 18 and 30 years old.

“All participants are required to undergo a two-month orientation programme, which includes weekend and two weekday evening training sessions each week. The orientation programme is tentatively scheduled from the middle of July to mid-September,” he said.

Mr Khamphanh said Laos had sent 29 youths to participate in last year's programme, which took place from October 22 to December 12.

He said participants had visited Japan , Singapore , Indonesia , Malaysia , Thailand , Laos and Vietnam to share their cultures and promote friendship.

“Participants are encouraged to raise funds of around 5 million kip or approach their nominating organisations to subsidise their contributions to the contingent fund,” he added.

A student from the Lao-American College , Ms Siriphone Thongbonh, who was one of 29 young people participating in the programme last year, told Vientiane Times that she and her friends ran various activities such as discussion groups on the environment, information, international relations, education, volunteer activities and youth development.

These involved representatives from six other countries during the 52-day programme.

“We learned how to live together, work as a group and how to help each other. This was one of the best experiences I've ever had,” she said.

Ms Siriphone advised anyone considering taking part in the programme to prepare themselves well before applying.

Another participant, Ms Phaipany Choummaly, said she had learned a great deal from the experience. One of the aspects she enjoyed the most was the chance to teach others about Lao culture and traditions.

“This programme enables young people from Laos to play a greater role on the Asian stage,” she said.

Laos became a member of the Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme in 1997 and first sent participants a year later. Since then some 300 young people have benefited from the programme.

By PHAISYTHONG CHANDARA
Vientianetimes

The 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane was officially announced to thousands of athletes and officials from Asean nations on Saturday night during the closing ceremony of the 24th SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand .

The closing ceremony took place in front of 20,000 spectators in the main stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima.

All Lao athletes and officials who attended the closing ceremony of this year's SEA Games were delighted to be present, as the occasion marked not only the medals they had won but also the day when Laos took possession of the SEA Games flag ahead of the 25 th SEA Games in Vientiane in 2009....more info

The Lao delegation receiving the SEA Games flag was led by Standing Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Executive Board of the 2009 SEA Games, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad; the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, President of the Lao National Sports Committee and Lao National Olympic Committee, Dr Phouthong Seng-akhom; the Vice President of the Lao National Sports Committee and National Olympic Committee, Mr Somphou Phongsa; and the Vice President and Secretary General of the Lao National Olympic Committee, Mr Souvannarath Sayavong.

After this year's SEA Games host Thailand presented the SEA Games flag to Laos , a performance by more than 400 Lao artists in five programmes followed.

The first item was a traditional dance and the song Sieng Khaen Lao , featuring the cultural traditions of Lao ethnic groups and the khaen – the country's traditional musical instrument.

The second item was the Sunrise Dance, a traditional dance modified from the Ramayana. This was first performed in Luang Prabang province and depicts the tradition of kindness, friendliness and hospitality of Lao women.

The third item portrayed the Hmong New Year, and by a dance to celebrate the harvest season.

The troupe then performed a song to welcome the 25 th SEA Games in 2009, which will take place in Vientiane .

The song told of the honour and pride the Lao people feel at hosting the SEA Games, and expressed a welcome to all Asean athletes, officials and distinguished guests.

The fifth item on the programme was a song expressing how the games will serve to strengthen relationships, friendship, solidarity and unity.

It is hoped the SEA Games will help to push Asean sports closer to world levels in the near future. In the meantime, Laos is delighted to be hosting the event and warmly welcomes all Asean members to the games in 2009.

Saturday night was an occasion not only for Lao athletes and people around the country to celebrate the passing of the SEA Games flag to Laos but also the fact that Laos had its first ever major victory at the SEA Games this year, winning 5 gold, 7 silver and 32 bronze medals.

By Sisay Vilaysack
Vientianetimes,

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