Appreciation and Thanksgiving Ceremony for Foster Families and Brunei Youth Participants SSEAYP 2008

After a lot of postponement due to unforeseen circumstances, Bersatu Association finally held an appreciation and thanksgiving ceremony for foster families and Brunei youth participants SSEAYP 2008 on Sunday 21 June 2009. It was held at the Digadong Hall in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Guest of Honor for the event was Awang Haji Mohamad Penglima Asgar Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah, Director of the Department of Youth and Sports.

The president of Bersatu, Haji Jailani Haji Ibrahim gave a welcoming speech followed by Haji Karim bin Haji Ahmad, a representative from the foster families. Youth leader of the Brunei Contingent for SSEAYP 2008, Haji Khairul Ariffin bin Haji Abd Aji also gave a speech sharing their experiences during the program. He mentioned that the experiences will be unforgettable and will be experienced only during the program. He also emphasized that one of the objectives in participating was to encourage mutual understanding of culture and way of life amongst the participants.

The ceremony also witnessed the handing over of certificates of appreciation to foster families who were present. A prize-giving ceremony was also held for the most creative booth during the Homestay Matching Ceremony SSEAYP last year. It then ended with a doa recital followed by high-tea.

Thanks to everyone for helping out in the organizing of the event. And of course the host families, whose generosity in welcoming PYs to their homes continues to be appreciated. Thank you.

And BPY08, welcome to the Bersatu family!

Noor Aini BPY01/03, Hajah Sita BPY92 and Haslinda BPY03

BPy08

Deen BPY06 and host families

President Haji Jailani welcoming guests

Haji Karim, representative from Host Family saying a few words

Ariffin, YL08 giving a speech

Guest of Honour presenting appreciation certificates to Host Families

Amier BPY07, Keedon BPY06, G-Raman BPY06, Hail BPY05 and Baim BPY01

BPY08 with Hajah Tom BPY05

Daphne and Kartini of BPY08

Moel, Hadizah (or is it Khadizah?) and Acai BPY08 with Hajah Tom

Our Ustaz for the day: Aduka BPY97 and MC for the day: Bulat BPY96

Amier BPY07 and Amal BPY02

Ali BPY04 and Jen BPY07

Thanks to Jen BPY for the great pictures!

21st SIGA Jogja Indonesia (1 May 2009-4 May 2009) report

Apologies for the belated update...

At the beginning of all the H1N1 madness, 29 participants from Brunei (16 ex-BPYs and 13 host family members) led by the Deputy President 1, flew to Yogyakarta, Indonesia and joined 300 other participants from all over ASEAN and Japan from the 1-4 May 2009. This was the biggest SIGA in terms of participants ever held and congratulations to SI Indonesia for hosting what was indeed different to many other previous SIGAs.

The participants mostly stayed at the Jogja Plaza Hotel. However, almost all the events were not held at the hotel itself. Instead of a ballroom, the Opening Ceremony was held in the open air at the Bantul cultural village with many activities held there afterwards. The participants even had the opportunity to watch an amazing cultural show with the Borobodur as the backdrop (which is only performed 4 times a year) in the evening.

Bruneian contingent at the Opening Ceremony

Some members of the Bruneian contingent at the Jogja Plaza Hotel


Bruneian contingent in front of the famous Borobodur

A good time was had by all! Well done SI Indonesia!

At the end of the proceedings, the hosting of the next SIGA was handed over to the ASSEAY Thailand. ASSEAY Thailand announced that the 22nd SIGA 2010 would be held in Ayutthaya, Thailand! Ayutthaya is a World Heritage City over an hour by car from Bangkok. Next year's SIGA is tentatively to be held from 30 April - 3 May 2010, so mark your diaries now!

For more information, check out the ASSEAY website here.

Royal Brunei Airlines flies to Bangkok daily from Brunei.

MAJLIS PENGHARGAAN BAGI KELUARGA ANGKAT KAPAL BELIA ASIA TENGGARA 2008 dan KESYUKURAN BAGI BEKAS PESERTA KAPAL BELIA ASIA TENGGARA 2008

Dengan penuh hormat dan takzim sukacita menjunjung dan mempersilakan Pengiran/Dato/Datin/Tuan/Puan hadir ke Majlis yang tersebut di atas:

Pada : Hari Ahad

Tarikh : 21hb Jun 2009

Jam : 3.45 petang

Tempat : Dewan Di Gadong,
Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan



Di atas kehadiran Pengiran/ Dato/ Datin/ Tuan/ Puan ke majlis tersebut, terlebih dahulu diucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih.

Aturcara:

3:30 : Kehadiran Ahlijawatankuasa
3:45 : Kehadiran Keluarga Angkat
4:15 : Kehadiran Tetamu Kehormat
: Bacaan Surah Al-Fatihah
: Ucapan alu-aluan dari Yang DiPertua Persatuan Bersatu selaku Pengerusi Majlis
: Ucapan dari Wakil Keluarga Angkat
: Ucapan dari Ketua Belia, Kontingen Negara Brunei Darussalam Program Kapal Belia Asia Tenggara 2008
: Penyampaian Sijil Penghargaan kepada Keluarga Angkat
: Doa Selamat
: Menikmati jamuan sambil menonton persembahan dari Kontingen Negara Brunei Darussalam 2008

BPY07 BBQ

BPY07 would like to invite all PYs to attend their BBQ at Muara beach on

Sunday 10th May

from 8 am onwards.

For more information, check out their blog here.

Application for 36th SSEAYP Discussion Facilitator 2009!

Not the Nippon Maru...

As with previous years, this year the Cabinet Office of Japan is looking for Facilitators to join in the Discussion Program for this year's SSEAYP.Please read the following regarding application.

Anyone interested should send their application from their Alumni Associations and the Alumni Association will forward their application to the Cabinet Office of Japan.

For any Bruneians out there interested, please submit your application to Bersatu by 15th May 2009. For the application form, please email fakhri@doctors.org.uk

Please refer to the following guidelines:

1. Outline of the Discussion Program and the Post-Program Session
The Discussion Program intends to encourage the Participating Youths (PYs) (1) to deepen their understanding of the current situation of the various fields in each country; as well as (2-a) to promote mutual understanding; (2-b) to improve the PYs’ skills in exchanging views with other participants; and, (2-c) to enhance their abilities in presenting their own ideas in public, through a free-flowing and active exchange of opinions.
Meanwhile, the Post-Program Session intends to utilize the results of the Discussion Program and encourage the PYs’ active participation in social activities after the SSEAYP.
The Facilitators, who are well-informed and competent for facilitating discussions, shall be appointed to provide support for PYs in the Discussion Program. They should have ample knowledge and experience in the respective group themes and the ability to facilitate discussions. As such, they are expected to provide the PYs with guidance and advice to carry out the Discussion Program.

2. Theme
The Discussion Program and the Post-Program Session shall follow a "common theme" and under it are eight (8) "group themes". Each discussion group shall comprise of more or less the same number of PYs from different contingents.

(1) Common Theme
The common theme for the Discussion Program and the Post-Program Session in SSEAYP 2009 shall be:

"Youth Participation in Social Activities"

The youth, as young leaders, are expected to play an important role in the revitalization and prosperity of their societies. This Discussion Program/ Post-Program Session will provide an opportunity for the PYs to reflect on the importance of their participation in social activities by understanding the current situation in each country and discussing possible activities in various fields. Their active participation in social activities after the SSEAYP is highly encouraged.

(2) Group Themes
The group themes shall be set as follows (One Facilitator for each group theme):
1. Cross-cultural Understanding
2. Environment
3. Food Culture / Food and Nutrition Education
4. International Relations
5. School Education
6. Traditional Culture
7. Volunteer Activities
8. Youth Development

3. Roles of Discussion Facilitators

􀂾 Determine and propose the group objectives for approval of the Administration
􀂾 Draft the basic information and pre-program assignments for approval of the Administration
􀂾 Provide the respective governments and PYs directly with further information as necessary, with the consent of the Administration
􀂾 Coordinate and manage the assigned discussion group
􀂾 Facilitate the group discussions
􀂾 Give support and advice to group members in charge
􀂾 Consolidate and summarize the activity records taken
􀂾 Coordinate and manage the Introductory Program and the Presentation of Discussion Results

4. Qualification of the Facilitators

The basic qualifications of the Facilitators shall be:
Good command of English to facilitate discussion (reference level: TOEIC860, UN Association’s Test of English A, or equal ability)
Holds basic knowledge and experience in the field of the group theme in charge
Able to work from October 30 to November 25, 2009
Able to attend the Facilitators Meeting held in Tokyo from August 5 to 8, 2009
Approximately over 25 and under 40 years of age
It is preferable to have a good command of Japanese for a daily conversation, in case of those whose mother tongue is not Japanese.

5. Expenses

Following expenses will be provided to the respective Facilitators from the designated organization as entrusted by the Cabinet Office, the Government of Japan.
The round-trip economy class airfare from the respective capital to Tokyo, Japan to attend the Facilitators Meeting
Expenses for accommodations, meals and transportations required in the designated itinerary during the Facilitators Meeting
The economy class airfare from the respective capitals to Tokyo, Japan and from Singapore back to those capitals to attend the Discussion Program onboard
Meals and beverages to be served according to the designated schedule onboard the ship
Stipend during the Facilitators Meeting and the Discussion Program (subject to the rules on remuneration)
Medical and accident insurance for the entire period of participation in the program excluding the Facilitators Meeting (subject to the rules)

6. Schedule

August 5-8, 2009 Facilitators Meeting in Tokyo, Japan
(The objectives of each discussion group shall be finalized.)

By mid-September Facilitators prepare basic information and pre-program assignments to PYs regarding their respective discussion group themes.

October 30, 2009 Arrival in Tokyo, Japan

Oct. 31-Nov. 24, 2009 Discussion Program onboard and Port-of-Call Activities in Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore

November 25, 2009 Disembarkation in Singapore