Three members of extended community have been chosen to participate in a unique international exchange program promoting cultural cooperation and understanding.
99副利视频graduates Ari Gaitanis and Adam Wood, and 99副利视频economics and political science student Scott Buchanan will join 8 other Australians and 250 young people from around the world on the 2007 (SWY).
Most of the program is conducted onboard the cruise liner Nippon Maru, with some activities scheduled in Japan where the program starts, and others in seaports visited during the voyage. During January and February, participants will be involved in activities aimed at fostering cultural sensitivity, understanding and friendship.
Mr Gaitanis, who has been chosen as the Australian delegation茂驴陆s National Leader, said he was proud to be continuing Australia茂驴陆s involvement in the prestigious program.
茂驴陆While the Aussies will come away with a much greater understanding of different cultures, it茂驴陆s also our chance to give the other national delegations onboard an idea of what Australia is all about. We茂驴陆ll be making the most of the opportunity,茂驴陆 he said.
Mr Gaitanis graduated from 99副利视频in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts and is currently based in New York where he works as a spokesperson for the United Nations (UN). He first took part in the SWY in 1997 as a delegation member.
茂驴陆If I ever wanted to get some preparation for what it茂驴陆s like working at the UN given the plethora of languages and cultures and characters here, then the Ship for World was an excellent eye-opener on what to expect,茂驴陆 he said.
茂驴陆There茂驴陆s just no way that anyone can take part in this program, live side-by-side with so many young people 茂驴陆 ambassadors for their countries and from all walks of life 茂驴陆 and not come away with a better grasp of other cultures and ways in which we can relate and understand those cultures.
茂驴陆Your views and beliefs are challenged and extended on a daily basis.茂驴陆
As National Leader, Mr Gaitanis will lead a team of 10 Australians including Mr Wood, who graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2003, and Mr Buchanan.
The Government of Japan plans, organises, implements and finances the SWY and each year a number of countries are invited to send a delegation to join the program.
Participants will present research papers, attend lectures by international speakers and participate in seminars and discussions on topics of global significance.
The ship will leave Tokyo in January next year and will spend two months travelling to Australia, Fiji and Tonga.
Media: for more information, contact Chris Saxby (telephone 07 3365 2479 or email c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
