Six Jamaicans to Participate in Ship for World Youth Programme

Six Jamaicans will be participating in the 37th Ship for World Youth (SWY) Programme in Japan, from February 15 to March 13.

SWY is an international youth leadership and exchange initiative implemented by the Government of Japan.

The announcement was made by Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, during Wednesday’s (February 11) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House.

The delegation will be led by Senior Director, Youth and Adolescents Policy Division in the Ministry, Yanique Williams.

The participating youth leaders are University of the West Indies (UWI) student, Sheri-Lee Mills; Member of the National Youth Council of Jamaica (NYCJA), Chandre Powell; NYCJA General Secretary, Christine Salmon; President of the LEO Club of Mandeville, Danielle Brown; and Member of Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change, Davell O’Connor.

Dr. Morris Dixon noted that a key component of their programme is a project-based learning experience in Aichi, Japan.

“During that phase, they are going to be collaborating with local government bodies in Japan, academic institutions and community organisations to examine real-world development challenges and propose practical context-specific solutions. When you go to Japan and you learn what they’re doing there, you have an obligation to come back to Jamaica as leaders and to integrate that into the Jamaican setting,” she said.

Participants will engage in structured discussions across eight thematic areas, including climate change action and sustainable energy, risk management for natural disasters, social inclusion, start-ups and impact investment, education in local communities, community design, entertainment for well-being and the inheritance of traditional culture.

Dr. Morris Dixon extended gratitude to the Government of Japan for covering all programme-related expenses, including international airfare, accommodation, meals, insurance and activity costs.

“It’s a great opportunity for young people. It definitely is aligned with our Government’s focus on youth development. Please go forth and do well and represent us well,” she charged.

The Ship for World Youth Programme has been in operation since 1988.

It is designed to strengthen leadership capacity among young people through intercultural exchange, structured dialogue and applied problem solving.