Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) alumni hold 25th International General Assembly in Laos

The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the 25th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) International General Assembly (SIGA) was hosted by Laos from April 22 to 26. 

SSEAYP International (SI), which was established in 1987 and is comprised of the SSEAYP alumni associations in all ASEAN countries and Japan, has been meeting annually for a general assembly. This was the first time that Laos hosted the event. 

A total of 400 participants gathered for the assembly, including 226 foreign participants, 150 Lao participants and 24 youth representatives from Lao line ministries. Fourteen (14) participants from the Philippines were among those who joined the General Assembly, led by SI Philippines President Ma. Aurelia P. Florentino. Ms. Florentino was a participating youth (PY) of the SSEAYP in 1975. 

Other Filipino participants who joined the delegation were Mr. Baibon Sangid (1990), Mr. Pocholo Gonzales (2000), Mr. Feliciano Manuel Manlulu II (1991), Mr. Elmer Ronquillo (1991), Ms. Ma. Teresa Cuerdo (1985), Dr. Edwin Vallo Antonio (1997), Mr. Douglas Austria (1985) Mrs. Luisa Austria (1985), Ms. Sahlee Camposano (1991), Dr. Clement Camposano (1991), Ms. Zenaida Rico (1981) and Mr Arthur Rico (1981). 

The opening ceremony of the 25th SIGA was held on April 25. It was attended by Lao Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Sunthone Xayachak; Lao Youth Union Secretary General Vilayvong Bouddakham; Lao Information, Culture and Tourism Deputy Minister Savankhone Razmountry; Ambassadors and representatives of the ASEAN and Japan; officials from the diplomatic missions in Vientiane; Lao Youth Union officials; and other Lao government line ministries. 

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme started in 1974 and has produced an alumni registration of more than 100,000 from the 10 ASEAN countries and Japan.  

The SSEAYP International General Assembly brings together members of the various alumni associations in each of the participating countries to reestablish linkages and friendships and hold workshops and panel discussions to continue the learning process of each other’s country and the region. The respective alumni associations are also given time to report on the activities that it has undertaken in the past year, particularly its socio-civic undertakings. 

At the welcome reception held on April 25, various individuals and ex-PYs were recognized for their achievements in different fields. One of the awardees was Edwin V. Antonio, a PY of SSEAYP 1997 and currently the Executive Council Officer in the National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.-Philippine Information Agency (May 04, 2013)