The Ship for for Southeast Asia Youth Programme (SSEAYP) is an annual programme sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by ASEAN countries. The SSEAYP aims to promote friendship and understanding among youths from the ASEAN countries and Japan. Singapore will be sending a contingent of 28 youths to participate in this year's programme, which will be held from 22 Oct to 12 Dec 2007.

Pre-requisites
Nominees should possess a track record of active youth, community or public service and be outstanding youths capable of assuming an ambassadorial role for Singapore. They should be between 18 and 30 years old as of 1 Apr 2007.
Each selected participant is required to contribute a sum of at least $900.00 to the contingent fund. The fund will be used to cover individual and group expenses for the programme. Participants are encouraged to raise funds or approach their nominiating organisations to subsidise their contributions to the Contingent Fund.
Each participant must recommend three Singapore families who can host foreign youth for a homestay programme in Singapore. Each foster family must be able to host and accomodate two overseas participants.
All participants are required to undergo a two-month orientation programme, which includes weekend and two weekdays evening training sessions per week. The orientation programme is tentatively scheduled from mid Jul to mid Sep 2007.

Interested applicants are to submit their application by 27 Apr 2007. They may also contact Head Leadership & Community Services at 63146722 or email noraini_mohamed@moe.gov.sg for more details.

.............................................................

Mr Goh Liang Kwang
Deputy Commissioner of Police,

SAC Tan Puay Kern
Deputy Chairman, NPCC Council

School Principals

Distinguished Guests,

Officers and Cadets,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening

I am pleased to be here with you at the 48th National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) Annual Parade. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the NPCC for its 48 years of commitment in moulding our youth.


THE GROWTH OF NPCC

2 The NPCC was founded in 1959 as a youth group in schools to provide students with a better understanding of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and as a result, develop a closer bond to the Force. Over the last 48 years, the NPCC has grown to be one of the largest volunteer youth uniformed groups with over 20,000 members. Supported by the SPF and a strong base of volunteers, the NPCC provides a myriad of life skill training and outdoor activities for the cadets, guiding them towards the wholesome development of both body and mind.


THE NPCC EXPERIENCE

3 Through NPCC, youths during their formative years are imbued with qualities such as discipline, leadership skills and strong civic, social and moral values. The experiences and training that the cadets go through in NPCC are lessons that will stay with them for life. Training including lessons on Law Enforcement, National Education, General Law, Crime Prevention, Community, Home Front Security and Total Defence prepare the cadets to be caring and responsible citizens of the nation.

4 The Leadership and Resilience components of the NPCC training, through activities such as drills and outdoor adventure camps, help develop these important attributes in our young. In addition, courses in communication and management develop in our cadets the complementary life skills essential in helping them to meet the challenges that globalisation brings.


BROADENING THE NPCC EXPERIENCE – LEARNING BEYOND OUR SHORES

5 In an interconnected world, it is critical for our cadets to learn in a framework that is broad-based and contextually relevant for today’s society. As such, NPCC would also need to adapt and broaden its training strategies and activities for our cadets to better prepare them to learn in a global environment. The theme for this year’s NPCC Annual Parade – Learning Beyond Our Shores is indeed apt in capturing this new emphasis on viewing the world as our classroom.

6 I am pleased to learn that for last year, the NPCC organised over 80 overseas trips for its cadets in the form of education trips, community involvement programmes and adventure quests. NPCC has also established ties with the Junior Police Call of the Hong Kong Police Force, Police Cadet Corps of the Royal Malaysia Police and the Police Community Youth Club of the Western Australian Police for regular exchange programmes between our youths.

7 Such overseas exchange and immersion programmes are enriching experiences for our cadets to broaden their horizons and help them better appreciate Singapore, our success, our challenges and our vulnerabilities. As a multi-racial nation comprising people from different ethnicities, beliefs and backgrounds, the social fabric of our community needs to be strengthened and this can be so only if our youths do appreciate the significance of social cohesion for home security, and the necessity of self and group resilience in nation building.


48TH NPCC ANNUAL PARADE 2007

8 The NPCC Annual Parade has always been the highlight of the NPCC calendar. This is the day where NPCC members from different schools come together to pledge their loyalty to the nation and the Corps.

9 This evening is also a special moment for 18 schools that have displayed exemplary proficiency and tenacity in carrying out the NPCC programmes. These schools have won the Unit Overall Proficiency Gold Award for 2006. My warmest congratulations to the award winners. Well done! Your achievements have made your schools proud.

10 The success in Uniformed Group activities would not have been possible without the hard work and support of school principals, teachers, officers, parents and volunteers. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all for your commitment and sacrifice. I hope you have also gained much satisfaction in seeing your charges grow to become fine young men and women.


CONCLUSION

11 Finally, I would like to congratulate all officers and cadets involved in organising today’s parade for a job well done. Your hard work in preparing and training for this occasion is apparent from your smart turn out and impeccable standard of parade. As you prepare to take the NPCC pledge, may I urge you to reflect on its meaning, be mindful of its values and to carry out your responsibilities as good citizens of Singapore.

Thank you.

.............................................................

The finals of the NPCC Inter-Area .38 Revolver Shooting Competition 2006 was held on 4 Nov 2006 at the HTA Range. Click here for more details.

.............................................................

The finals of the 11th NPCC Inter-Area Project-Based Competition 2006 was held on 22 Sep 2006 at the Victoria School Auditorium. Click here for more details.

The photos of the competition can also be found here.

.............................................................