His Majesty Meets Asean Youths
By Shafiyi Azahari

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam received 13 heads of delegation from the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme yesterday at the Istana Nurul Iman.

Dressed in dark blue batik, the Monarch also received souvenirs from delegation heads, led by the ship's administrative officer Tashiro Hiroaki of Japan.

His Majesty welcomed the young visitors and expressed hope that they will experience the Bruneian people's warm hospitality during their stay in the country.

On hand during the event was the Minister of Culture; Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (R) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Mohammad Daud, who introduced the youths to the Monarch.

The delegates were part of a total of 320 young people from Asean member countries and Japan, participating in the Japanese sponsored cultural exchange programme. The young delegates are here for a three-day visit and will continue their sea travel to Manila, the Philippines' capital tomorrow. The delegates last port of destination will be Japan, which they will reach on December 4.

While in Brunei, the young visitors will stay with local families to expose them to Bruneian culture and way of life.

The highly-sought after cultural and friendship programme is now on its 33rd year. The programme offers both the young people of Japan and Southeast Asian countries to interact as they travel on board the "friendship ship" the Nippon Maru.

One of the objectives of the programme is to promote mutual understanding and cultural appreciation among youths from Japan and Asean countries. There are three ships bearing the name Nippon Maru that have so far served the programme since its inception in 1974 and the current ship is known as Nippon Maru 'C'.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with