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SSEAYP INTERNATIONAL SINGAPORE (SIS) ANNUAL REPORT

APRIL 2016 – MARCH 2017

1. Executive Board

2. Board Meetings

3. SIS Activities – 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017 3.1. SIS Biennial General Meeting 2016 3.2. SSEAYP Day 2016 3.3. SJ50 Matsuri Parade 3.4. Reunion-On-Board Singapore 2016 3.5. Pre-SIGA 2017 Meeting 3.6. SIS Celebrates! 3.7. SSEAYP Sharing Session 2017 3.8. Heritage Fun Run 2017: The Origin

4. Social Contribution Activities

4.1. The Ripple Movement (PPA by 42nd Batch 2015 Singapore Contingent) 4.2. SCA at SWAMI Home (PPA by 43rd Batch 2016 Singapore Contingent) 4.3. Project Joy (PPA by 41st Batch 2014 Singapore Contingent) 4.4. The Amazing J-ASEAN Race (PPA by 43rd Batch 2016 Singapore Contingent)

5. 43rd SSEAYP 2016

5.1. Singapore Contingent 5.2. On-Board Ship Conference (OBSC) 5.3. 3 Host Family Representatives 5.4. Singapore Local Programme for SSEAYP 2016

6. SI Activities 6.1. SIGA 2016, Cambodia 6.2. Council of Presidents’ Meetings and “G-to-G” Conference on SSEAYP

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1. EXECUTIVE BOARD

1.1 As at 31 March 2016, the board members were as follows :- S/N Name Batch Designation

1 Alvin Lee Thiam Siew, PBM (2004/2011) President

2 Tang Kwok Hoong Gerald, PBM (2007) 1st

Deputy President

3 Yacob Hussain (1992/2003) 2nd

Deputy President

4 Lee Chew Yee Jenny (1993) Secretary General

5 Pereira Dawn Gerardine (2002) Deputy Secretary General

6 Tan Zhi Aun Zatan (2010) Director, Alumni Affairs

7 John Vijayan Vasavan,PBS,PB,PBM (1986/1996) Director, Alumni Development/Special Interest

8 Andy Iskandar Ajes (2005) Director, Computer Network / Director, Corporate Communications

9 Mohd Imhar bin Mohd Said (1984/1999) Director, International Affairs

10 Low Chai Siong Anthony (2011) Director Social Contribution Activities

11 Muhd Hafidz bin Zainal Abidin (1995) Director, Training & Development

12 Desmond Yew Zheng Chang (2008) Director, Homestay/Deputy Director, Alumni Affairs

13 Zuraimi bin Abdul Basheer (2015) Director

14 A Rahman Minhad (1994) Deputy Director, Homestay

15 Juliana Adam (1991/2002) Deputy Director, International Affairs / Social Contribution Activities

16 Chow Tai Wei David (1995) Deputy Director, Training & Development / Corporate Communications

17 Koh Shuxian Sean (2014) Deputy Director, Alumni Affairs

18 Jen Senthil (2010) Observer

19 Noormah Binte Azizi (2014) Observer

20 Isabelle Ang (2015) Observer

1.2 During the 2nd SIS Biennial General Meeting on 28 May 2016, 21 members were elected to the following appointments:-

S/N Name Batch Designation

1 Tang Kwok Hoong Gerald, PBM 2007 President

2 Yacob bin Hussain 1992 /2003 1st

Deputy President

3 Kelvin Lai Kok Heong, PBM 1996 2nd

Deputy President

4 Noormah Binte Azizi 2014 Secretary General

5 Wong Li Yee Melisa 2013 Deputy Secretary General

6 Zuraimi bin Abdul Basheer 2015 Honorary Treasurer

7 William Cheong Yip Kwong 1985 /2006 Deputy Honorary Treasurer

8 Muhammad Hafidz Zainal Abidin 1995 Director, Training & Development

9 Teo Eng Soon 2011

Deputy Director, Training & Development / Deputy Director, Grant Management

10 Pereira Dawn Gerardine * 2002 Director, Grant Management

11 Andy Iskandar Ajes 2005 Director, Corporate Communications & Computer Network

12 Mohamad Abdillah bin Zamzuri 2007

Deputy Director, Corporate Communications & Computer Network

13 Tan Zhi Aun Zatan 2010 Director, Alumni Affairs & Development

14 Jed Senthil 2010 Deputy Director, Alumni Affairs & Development

15 How Zi Hui Rachel 2014 Deputy Director, Alumni Affairs & Development

16 Muhammad Riduan bin Samad 2012 Director, Social Contribution Activities

17 Koh Lin Yen * 2012 Deputy Director, Social Contribution Activities

18 Mohd Imhar b Mohd Said, PBM 1984 / 2009 Director, International Affairs

19 Ronald Teo Cheng Huat 2000 Deputy Director, International Affairs

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S/N Name Batch Designation

20 Yew Zheng Chang Desmond 2008 Director, Homestay

21 Foo Shih Shun 2013 Deputy Director, Homestay

* On 23 September 2016, Pereira Dawn Gerardine, PY 2002 tendered her resignation. The Board accepted her resignation. Teo Eng Soon, PY 2011, took over as Director, Grant Management. On 7 November 2016, Koh Lin Yen, PY 2012, stepped down from the Board. ** On 19 February 2017, John Vijayan Vasavan, PBS, PB, PBM (1986/1996), Koh Mui Hiang, Jenny (1987/1998) and Abdul Halim Abdul Kader, BBM (1977) and were formally appointed as Advisers to the Board.

2. BOARD MEETINGS During the period May 2016 to March 2017, the Board held 10 meetings and 1 work plan session. Attendance averaged 71%. The following board members were granted leave of absence (LOA) due to the following reasons:

a) Andy Iskandar Ajes: overseas work commitment (July 2016 – November 2016). He carried on with Corporate Communications and Computer Network duties from his overseas posting and had subsequently resumed his duties officially.

b) Yacob bin Hussain: overseas work commitment (February 2017 – July 2017). He carried on with 1st Deputy President duties from his overseas posting.

c) Wong Li Yee Melisa: maternity leave (November 2016 - January 2017). She subsequently resumed her Deputy Secretary General duties in February 2017.

d) Tan Zhi Aun Zatan : work commitment (January 2017 – July 2017). On complimentary use of meeting rooms, the Board recorded a vote of thanks to President Gerald Tang for the use of Bukit Purmei Zone A RC Centre, Deputy Honorary Treasurer William Cheong for the use of Geylang East Grove RC Centre and Adviser Mr Halim Kader, BBM for the use of the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation Conference Room. The Board would like to thank 2nd Deputy President Kelvin Lai Kok Heong, PBM for the use of his address as the registered address of SIS.

3. SIS ACTIVITIES – 1 APRIL 2016 – 31 MARCH 2017 SSEAYP International Singapore (SIS) has had a very eventful term from April 2016 to March 2017. Efforts were made to engage the year representatives as they acted as the communications link between their batchmates and SIS. Host families, too, were encouraged to participate in SIS activities. 3.1 SIS Biennial General Meeting The SIS Biennial General Meeting was convened on 28 May 2016, Saturday at the Hall of Trust, OnePeople.sg. 120 members were present and the meeting was presided by Alvin Lee. During the meeting, the minutes of the last General Meeting, Biennial Report (April 2014 – March 2016), Audited Statement of Accounts (1 April 2014 – 31 March 2016) and amendments to the Constitution were approved. Following the BGM, the 1st Executive Board was officially dissolved and the election of the 2nd SIS Executive Board commenced. Mr Abdul Halim Abdul Kader (1977) was nominated as Presiding Chairman to conduct the elections of the 2nd SIS Executive Board. The 33 candidates were introduced followed by the elections by the 116 members present at the time of the voting.

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Following the count of votes by the 4 volunteer PYs, Presiding Chairman Dato’ Halim formally announced the 21 candidates into 2nd Executive Board of the ROS-registered SIS. He wished them well as they endeavour to fulfil their promise to the Alumni members.

3.2 SSEAYP Day 2016 SSEAYP Day Singapore 2016 was held on 8 October 2016, Saturday at *SCAPE to celebrate cross-country interactions and experiences to bring about regional unity and solidarity, which inspires action and enables partnerships for good. 2016 is especially significant as we witnessed the formation of the ASEAN Community as well as celebrate the 50th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations (SJ50). The theme “SJ50: Sowing Friendship, Seeding Growth” which aimed to show that we all have a journey and find that what we are looking for in the end is never about us but how as individuals and groupings in our own ways, each and every one of us can serve and contribute to others. It aimed to plant seeds of hope amongst our youth/alumni (Seeding) and celebrate by chronicling the fruits (Sowing) of the programme. In essence, it showcased how Singapore and Japan has contributed to the friendship and growth of ASEAN. A story-capturing initiative, the SIS Outstanding Members Exhibition, recorded and showcased 9 outstanding members on the (life-changing) impact that SSEAYP has on them and how they have been involved and/or making a difference, through their professional and/ or personal capacities, in ASEAN and/ or Japan. This aimed to rally members from various batches, especially from the early years to participate. As a form of alumni engagement, younger members interviewed older ones, which facilitated networking. Interviewers were present to share with GOH. As we move towards “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together” as well as more years of good ties between Singapore and Japan, we encouraged members, local youths and ASEAN and Japan citizens based in Singapore to write their

aspirations, in the form of a pledge tree - SISプレッジTree (Pureji Tree = Pledge Tree) of Hope. The Tree was also used at this year’s local programme for the 43rd SSEAYP PYs to write their aspirations as well. A total of about 142 pledges were collected. The Guest of Honour for SSEAYP Day 2016 was Dr Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Mayor, South East CDC.

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3.3 SJ50 Matsuri Parade On 29 October 2016, Saturday, SIS took part in the SJ50 Matsuri Parade organised by the Embassy of Japan in Singapore to celebrate SG50. A contingent made up of ex-PYs and Host Families were part of the parade performing the Matsuri dances.

3.4 Reunion on Board Singapore 2016 After a 3-year hiatus, Nippon Maru was back in Singapore as one of the Ports-of-Call for SSEAYP 2016 from 26 – 29 November 2016. A Reunion-on-Board was hosted with the theme “SJ50 – Celebrating 50 Years of Singapore-Japan Diplomatic Relations” on Sunday, 27 November 2017. A total of 339 paid SSEAYP Alumni were in attendance including 35 international guests from fellow AAs.

3.5 Pre-SIGA 2017 Meeting On 19 February 2017, Sunday, SIS hosted a Pre-SIGA 2017 Meeting at the D’Cuisines Restaurant, SIA Group Sports Club. The meeting was attended by five representatives including representatives from the Alumni Associations of Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. The representatives discussed on SIGA 2017 updates and queries from participants for SIP’s clarification and follow up. During the meeting, the idea of the SI-ASEAN SCA Day was mooted by SIS to commemorate the 30th and 50th anniversaries of SI and ASEAN. The representatives were receptive to the idea for the event on 6 August 2017 where each AA will organise their own SCA day involving both local and foreign PYs based in each country. This proposal was to be formally tabled during the COP meeting in conjunction with SIGA 2017 on 26 Apr 2017 in Ilo Ilo City.

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3.6 SIS Celebrates! 2017 On 26 November 2016, Saturday, SIS was conferred the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Commendation Award for promoting and creating bonds amongst the people of Singapore and Japan. This commendation award was initiated by the Japanese MFA to recognise individuals and organisations based in Singapore for their efforts in shaping and improving the landscape of two countries and enhancing the people to people relationship. This award has been in place since 1984 and SIS is the 18th recipient. This award was presented to SIS during the SSEAYP 2016 – Singapore Country Programme, Welcome Carnival by the Mr Naohiro Tsutsumi, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan to Singapore on behalf of the Japanese MFA. Ms Grace Fu, Minister of Culture, Community, Youth and Sports was the GOH at the event. SIS acknowledges that every member of SIS deserves to be recognized for paving the path and making it possible for SIS to receive this prestigious award and planned a High Tea Reception to commemorate the receiving of this award, celebrate SIS’s 3rd anniversary of incorporating as a society and garner capital support for SIS’s activities. SIS Celebrates! was held on 19 February 2017, Sunday at the SIA Group Sports Club Ballroom. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Transport. Mr Kenji Shinoda, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, also graced the event as Special Guest. The event attracted 180 guests and participants including representatives from fellow Alumni Organisations from Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Japan.

3.7 SSEAYP Sharing Session 2017 A SSEAYP sharing session, jointly organised by NYC and SIS, was held on 8 March 2017, Wednesday, at *SCAPE where youths who were interested in applying for SSEAYP could attend and find out more about the programme. About 70 youths attended the session, which was mainly hosted by 43rd SPYs. Alumni members, Ng Kok Ann (2016) and Koh Chin Chin (2000) each gave a presentation of their respective experiences in SSEAYP. About 35 alumni members from across different batches also came to volunteer their time and share their SSEAYP experiences with the potential applicants.

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3.8 The Heritage Fun Run 2017 : The Origins SIS, together with the NTU Heritage Club, jointly organised a heritage-themed event on 18 March 2017, Saturday called the Heritage Fun Run: The Origins. It was an Amazing Race-style event where participants (in teams of 5) competed with each other going from checkpoint to checkpoint located at different historical venues, solving different challenges at each checkpoint in order to be the first team to complete all the checkpoints and reach the finish line. 186 people took part in the event that started and finished at The URA Centre, and lasted from 8am to 5pm. Altogether, the participants raced around to 25 checkpoints located at different historical venues within Central Singapore. We would like to thank the 70 volunteers who helped in organising the event and also the National Heritage Board, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, National Youth Council, CompresSport and AOX Natural for supporting the event.

4. SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES 4.1 The Ripple Movement (PPA by 42nd Batch 2015 Singapore Contingent) On 4 and 11 June 2016, 42nd SPYs had their PPA in partnership with Naval Base Secondary School and Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH). In preparation for the PPA for with SAVH, SPYs conducted a day camp for students from Naval Base Secondary School on volunteering and working with the visually handicapped. SPYs were paired with the students to mentor and guide them and the session ended with a “Dining in the Dark” experience. On 11 June 2016, the mentor-mentee pairs of SPYs and students worked with and assisted the visually handicapped for the SAVH Flag Day. Following the experience, the students reflected on their volunteer journey and brainstormed on ideas on further volunteering opportunities.

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4.2 SCA at SWAMI Home (PPA by 43rd Batch 2015 Singapore Contingent) 43rd SPYs took time off from their Pre-Departure Concert preparations for their Social Contribution Activity at the Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI) Home on 1 October 2016, Saturday as their Pre-Post Programme Activity.

The SPYs and SIS members were at the SWAMI Home bright and early to run the programme for the elderly residents of the home. Some 50-60 elderly residents were engaged by over 30 SPYs and SIS alumni, who were geared up and ready to make their day.

The programme started off with a game called BINGO, where the volunteers helped the elderly to listen for the numbers as they are read out. This was followed by a handicrafts session where the elderly, together with the volunteers, made beautiful pop up flower cards which they could keep as a memento of the programme. Popular songs of various languages were belted out by the SPYs and they even showed some groovy moves!

The day ended off with a birthday celebration for October babies and everyone present, including the elderly residents as well as their caregivers, has a taste of the delicious cake bought specially for them. It was indeed a fulfilling event to mark the start of the weekend.

4.3 Project Joy (PPA by 41st Batch 2014 Singapore Contingent) In preparation for the Chinese New Year celebrations, the 41st SPYs had their PPA on 14 and 21 January 2017 to bring joy and smiles to their former beneficiaries from Project Scrubs. In partnership with the Society of St Vincent de Paul, SPYs gathered to assemble fans and deliver bed frames and mattresses to their Friends-in Need residing at North Bridge Road, French Road, Owen Road and Banda Street.

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4.4 The Amazing J-ASEAN Race (PPA by 43rd Batch 2016 Singapore Contingent) “The Amazing J-ASEAN Race” was held in February 2017 for children under foster care. The beneficiaries were exposed to the different cultures of Japan and ASEAN. These include Food, Language, Handicraft and other Cultural Activities. Children had to form team to visit the 11 different stations – each representing the 11 participating countries in SSEAYP. The teams had to complete a specific “mission” related to food, language, handicraft and other cultural activities of each countries at each station to earn points. Through this project, the 43rd batch hope to expand the children’s knowledge of the Japan-ASEAN countries and also, to inspire the children to find out more about foreign cultures. In addition, this project could raise awareness about SSEAYP and provide a possible long-term goal for this children to work towards.

5. 43RD SSEAYP 2016

SIS worked closely with the National Youth Council on the implementation of 43rd SSEAYP.

5.1 Singapore Contingent Ms Lee Chew Yee, Jenny (1993) was appointed National Leader to lead the youth delegation of 28 members from 25 October to 14 December 2016. Board members and NYC staff were at the Changi Airport on 25 October morning for a simple send-off ceremony of flag hand-over, pledge recitation and putting on Vanda Miss Joaquim collar pins for NL, PYs and host family representatives. About 50 SIS members, family members and friends welcomed them home as they touched down at Changi Airport on 15 December, on completion of programme. NYC hosted a 43rd SSEAYP Appreciation Reception for volunteers, homestay families as well as the SPYs of 43rd SSEAYP on 27 December 2016.

5.2 On-Board Ship Conference (OBSC) President, Gerald Tang Kwok Hoong was selected as OBSC representative. The role and responsibility of the OBSC Rep in addition to promoting Alumni Association and post-Programme activities, is to produce the annual newsletter, SSEAYP NEWS, which covers SI activities, Alumni activity reports and impressions from the current PYs. OBSC representatives are also to continue with facilitating the discussion segment when the facilitators disembarked at the last port-of-call.

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5.3 Host Family Representatives Mr David Liow and Ms Idayu Bte Kiamel, were selected as Host Family Representatives to Japan from 25 October – 29 October 2016.

5.4 Singapore Local Programme for SSEAYP 2016 Singapore hosted the SSEAYP 2016 from 26 to 29 November 2016. The delegates were welcomed at the Welcome Ceremony cum ASEAN-Japan Carnival at the Singapore Expo where the PYs were later matched to their homestay families for a 2-nights’ Singapore homestay experience. Upon their return from their respective homestays on 28 November 2016, the PYs went to 11 different NGOs and VWOs such as SportCares, 4PM and Fei Yue Senior Activity Centre, for their Social Contribution Activities.

On 29 November 2016, the PYs departed for an early morning heritage trail to Marina Bay and Dakota Crescent before returning to Nippon Maru for the Open Ship and subsequently the send-off ceremony. It ended with the meaningful tika tape throwing as Nippon Maru departs for the last Port-of-Call Jakarta.

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6. SI ACTIVITIES 6.1 SIGA 2016, Cambodia A total of 37 SIS members and host families led by 2nd Deputy President, Mr Yacob Hussain attended the 28th SIGA 2016 at Empress Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia from 29 April to 2 May 2016. With the theme “SSEAYP Cooperation for a Greener World”, participants attended the welcome reception by the poolside of the hotel. On the second day, the General Assembly was opened with an Opening Ceremony in the morning followed by presentation of country reports by the AAs and a discussion session. The highlight of the event on the third day was the tour on bicycle to the World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat followed by a tree planting session as a Social Contribution Activity by the delegates. Many were mesmerized by the magnificent site of Angkor Wat especially the view of the sunrise. The day ended with the farewell dinner at the hotel. This was a reunion for many and also where new friendships were forged. The 29th SIGA will be hosted by SI Philippines, at Ilo Ilo and Boracay Island from 26 April 2017 to 30 April 2017.

6.2 Council of Presidents’ (COP) Meetings and “G-to-G” Conference on SSEAYP Former 2nd Deputy President, Mr Yacob Hussain and current 1st Deputy President attended the 66th COP meeting in Siem Reap during SIGA Cambodia in April 2016. The June conference in Japan was attended by 1st Deputy President, Mr Yacob Hussain.

The past months had indeed been challenging yet fulfilling for the SIS 2nd Executive Board. Board members are ever ready to take up more challenging roles and strive to keep the communication channel with all members effective and current. The Board would like to take this opportunity to invite all members, their families and host families to actively participate in SIS forthcoming ASEAN 50 event on 6 August 2017, Sunday. We appreciated many who have come forward and contributed in different ways. As we move forward, we hope members will continue to support in any form towards SIS events.