Canadian Delegation for the SWY Leaders (Hybrid Program): Call for Applicants

9 Canadian youth (8 participants and one National Leader) will be selected to participate in this ‘once in a lifetime experience’ with 160+ young leaders from 11 countries

About the program

Experience Japan (14 days) with 160 international youth leaders by participating in this unique online and in-person cultural exchange program

The Ship for World Youth will bring together 160 youth leaders from around the globe for an online and 2-week in-person cultural immersion program in Japan. Through the generosity of the Government of Japan, 9 Canadian youth (8 Participating Youth and 1 National Leader) will be selected to participate.

The Ship for World Youth program serves as an opportunity for Participating Youth from various backgrounds to engage with different cultures and develop their communication, leadership, and management skills through discussions, cultural exchanges, and workshops. In addition, the program aims to establish a strong human network across national borders.

Since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, the face-to-face exchange program onboard a cruise ship has been cancelled and the program has been modified to a new hybrid format.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

  • Australia
  • Bahrain
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Oman
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • Japan

PROGRAM SCHEDULE (tentative)

Mandatory Online Programming - Nov 26th, Dec 3rd, Dec 10th, 2022 - 6 to 9pm EST
OPY’s arrive in Japan - Feb 7th, 2023
Online Training and Preparation - Feb 8th to Feb 10th, 2023
Face-to-face exchange in Japan - Feb 11th to Feb 20th, 2023 (including 3-day local program)
Departure Date - Feb 21st, 2023

 

COVID-19 MEASURES

  • Reduction of the number of participants (avoid being too close and dense)
  • Participants must be COVID-19 vaccinated (with the types of vaccines approved by Japanese government)
  • Participants should take regular and appropriate PCR tests to ensure COVID-19 negative proof when entering Japan for the  exchange program and before leaving for local programs, etc. Participants shall follow the requests to take preventative measures related to COVID-19 (wear a face mask, sanitize fingers and hands, take PCR tests when necessary)
  • Participants shall obtain travel insurance that covers COVID-19
  • Participants shall use the institutions and facilities that take appropriate measures in regards to COVID-19. In the event where a positive case was found, the Cabinet Office shall immediately consult with a healthcare center and take appropriate action.

 

 

BEFORE APPLYING

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Check out the Tentative Itinerary of the program and make sure you are available and meet all of the COVID-related health requirements.

Note that the application form requires some long-form responses. Please allow for at least 30-60 minutes to reflect on these questions and properly complete the application. Click here to download a list of questions for the Participating Youth and National Leader applications in PDF format.

You can also submit an optional short self-introductory video. For guidelines, see the box at right. If you choose to submit a video, please be sure to have it uploaded before starting the application process. You will not be able to upload a video directly to swycanada.org.

Once you have completed the application, you will be redirected to a page where you will be asked to pay the $25 application fee by credit card.

VIDEO GUIDELINES

Tells us what makes you unique and why you would be a strong candidate to represent Canada on the SWY program!

  • Ensure that the length of the video is a maximum of 2 minutes.
  • Shoot the video in one straight shot.
  • No fancy editing is required. You will be judged on the quality of your response; not the quality of your video.
  • The video component for the SWY application process is optional. Applicants will not be penalized if a video is not submitted.

If you choose to create a video, upload the video to a streaming video site such as YouTube or Vimeo and copy the URL link to the application form.

About the program

Note that the application fee is 25$ CDN. Until this payment has been made, the application cannot be considered as completed.

Criteria for Participating Youth

1. Must be 18 to 32 years of age (As of April 1st, 2022);
2. Must be a Canadian Citizen;
3. Must be in good physical and mental condition and able to act according to the program schedule, and live harmoniously in a large group;
4. Have an interest in Japan and in promoting friendship among Japan and participating countries, including Canada;
5. Possess considerable knowledge of the society and cultures of Canada;
6. Have interest in and understanding of the other participating countries;
7. Must have sufficient command (university-level) of English;
8.  Must be available for the entirety of the online and in-person dates of the program
9. Able to bear the expense of preparing the equipment required for online exchange (computers (not smartphones), internet access, etc.)
10. Must be COVID-19 vaccinated (with the number of doses that the Cabinet Office requires, and the vaccines must be the ones that are valid for entry into Japan in accordance with border measures) and able to follow measures against COVID-19 as requested by the Cabinet Office (wear face mask, sanitize hands and fingers, take PCR tests, etc.)
11. Must bring their own smartphone and install the COVID-19 app designated by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
12. Must have no prior experience in international youth exchange programs sponsored by the Cabinet Office in prior to 2019.

The deadline for applying to be a participating youth is September 15th, 2022 at midnight EST.

Want to preview the questions before applying?  Click here to download a list of questions in PDF format.

Criteria for National Leader

One National Leader (NL) shall be appointed per each participating country.
NLs should preferably have experience in / with youth organizations, facilitating youth groups or be ex-participating youth of the SWY program.

1. Must be a Canadian Citizen, preferably in their thirties;
2. Must be in good mental and physical health;
3. Be capable of carrying out the duties of the role, including taking a role as an advisor in each discussion group (a mixed group of PYs from respective participating countries.);
4. Must possess the ability to promote mutual understanding and friendship among PYs. Able to exercise leadership and discussion skills;
5. Must have sufficient command (university-level) of English;
6. Assume a role as a member of the National Leaders meeting in discussing and deciding the fundamental matters concerning life and activities regarding the program;
7. Must be able to participate in the entire duration of the program;
8. Shall bear the expense for preparing the equipment required for online exchange (i.e. computer (not a smartphone), internet access, etc.)
9. Must be COVID-19 vaccinated (with the number of doses that the Cabinet Office requires, and the vaccines must be the ones that are valid for entry into Japan in accordance with border measures) and able to follow measures against COVID-19 as requested by the Cabinet Office (wear face mask, sanitize hands and fingers, take PCR tests, etc.)
10. Must bring their own smartphone and install the COVID-19 app designated by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The deadline for applying to be a National Leader is September 1st, 2022 at midnight EST.

Want to preview the questions before applying?  Click here to download a list of questions in PDF format.