SWY 2025 Official Media Release
Australia Announces Delegation for Ship for World Youth 2025
Media Release 11th November 2025
​
Ship for World Youth Australia is thrilled to announce its dynamic delegation for the 2025 Ship for World Youth (SWY) program, a distinguished international youth exchange and leadership initiative supported by the Government of Japan. This unique program brings together young leaders from around the world to engage in meaningful discussions on pressing global issues, participate in cultural exchanges, and enhance their leadership skills through workshops and seminars.
In its 36th iteration, the SWY program will host participants from 13 countries, each sending 8 Participating Youth and one National Leader, with Japan welcoming 80 Participating Youth. Australia’s delegation comprises a diverse group of nine outstanding young leaders, selected to represent the nation’s vibrant and multifaceted youth from various states and territories.
The delegation will engage in critical discussion groups, addressing key global challenges:
Community Design Utilising Local Resources - Karla Waterman (Queensland) will explore innovative ways to harness local resources and creativity for community development.
Inheritance of Traditional Culture- Keisha Edwards (Victoria) will delve into preserving and promoting cultural heritage in a rapidly changing world.
Quality Education - Jenny Cao (Victoria) will focus on ensuring accessible and equitable education for all, fostering lifelong learning opportunities.
Environmental Conservation- Latishamarie Francis (South Australia) will address the urgent need for sustainable practices to protect our planet.
Social Inclusion of Migrants in Local Community - Ashwath Mani (Victoria) will work on strategies to enhance the integration of migrants, promoting diversity and inclusivity.
Tourism Promotion Utilizing Local Resources- Tyler Kennedy (New South Wales) will examine methods to boost local economies through sustainable tourism.
Youth Empowerment in Rural Areas- Tahlya Doecke (Queensland) will focus on empowering young people in rural communities to drive local development.
Quality Welfare Services- Jane Miller (Queensland) and Arish Naresh (Tasmania) will explore ways to improve welfare services, ensuring support systems are robust and effective in developed and low to middle income countries to ensure there are less inequalities in society.
​
Leading this talented group is A/Prof Arish Naresh from Tasmania, bringing a wealth of experience and insight from his previous participation in SWY27 as a representative of New Zealand in 2015. His leadership is expected to guide the team through a transformative and impactful journey.
The Ship for World Youth program has a long-standing legacy of nurturing future global leaders, with notable alumni including former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. As one of the leading global development programs supported by the Japanese government, SWY continues to play a crucial role in fostering international understanding and collaboration among young people. The program includes sailing on a ship for a month making ports of calls to various cities, meeting respected dignitaries including courtesy visit to meet the Japanese Prime Minister and the Japanese Imperial family.
The Australian delegation is eager to contribute to the program's goals and bring back valuable insights and experiences to their communities. This opportunity not only enhances personal growth but also strengthens international bonds and cultural appreciation.
The delegates are busy preparing for the 2025 program and while the Japanese Government funds the cost of the program; the cost of training weekends, official gifts and other incidentals are funded by the delegates.
To assist with the delegation preparation, people wishing to support can donate whatever they can to support these young Australians represent Australia at a global stage through the Support the next Australian Delegation page.