The 16th SWYAA Global Assembly (GA) was successfully held in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt, bringing together more than 300 alumni from 31 countries. The Assembly served as a powerful reaffirmation of the long-standing global impact of the Ship for World Youth (SWY), international youth development program, which has been implemented by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan since 1988.
For nearly 40 years, the SWY program has built one of the world’s most influential international youth networks. Its alumni have gone on to assume leadership roles across a wide range of sectors, including government, diplomacy, education, civil society, media, and business, forming strong and trust-based connections between Japan and countries around the world. The Global Assembly once again highlighted Japan’s sustained and significant role in promoting cross-border cooperation among young people worldwide.
The GA participants took part in a wide range of cultural and educational activities in Cairo and Alexandria, deepening their understanding of Egypt’s 5,000-year civilization, from the Pharaonic, Hellenistic, and Roman periods through the Coptic and Islamic eras.
In addition to visiting historical sites, participants also visited NGOs and other organizations, where they engaged in social contribution activities. Through these visits, participants had the opportunity to learn about Egypt’s innovation ecosystem, humanitarian work on the ground, and the vitality of its civil society.
Institutional visits:
- Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
- Red Crescent
- Ahl Masr Foundation
- Khair & Baraka Foundation
- Egyptian Food Bank
- Egyptian Clothing Bank
The GA served as an important platform for alumni from around the world to reconnect, build new friendships, and explore possibilities for future collaboration. Participants reaffirmed the importance of passing on the spirit of the SWY to the next generation and expressed a renewed sense of the revitalization of the international network.
