TWENTY-NINE Cambodian youngsters met Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday to receive his advice before leaving the Kingdom to participate in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme 2009.

The Cambodian delegates, 14 of whom are girls, are to spend 52 days on the youth ship as it docks in six countries – Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.

Prime Minister Hun Sen’s assistant, Ieng Sophalleth, said the premier advised delegates to “maintain their dignity” while participating in the programme, since they will be “representing Cambodia and its people” for the duration of the voyage.

“The aim of this programme is to strengthen relationships between Cambodia, Japan, Philippines and other countries in ASEAN,” said the chief of the programme’s Cambodian delegation, Nith Bunlay.

“It is also an opportunity for Cambodia to show its culture to other ASEAN countries,” he added.

The programme was organised by the Japanese government in 1974 to strengthen cooperation and understanding among neighbouring countries and to promote their visions to the international community.

This year’s programme is the 36th of its kind and will take place from October 27 to December 17.