Ship for World Youth · 37th edition · 2026
SWY37. A new generation on board.
In 2026, Spain returned to the Ship for World Youth. The 37th edition brought together thirteen countries on a journey through Asia and added a new Spanish delegation to the programme's history.
- Dates
- 15 February – 12 March 2026
- Ports of call
- Bangkok · Okinawa · Aichi
- Participating countries
- 13
- Spanish delegation
- 8 participants and 1 National Leader
How we got here
An invited country, a chosen delegation.
In February 2025, the Prime Minister's Office of Japan officially announced the countries invited to the next edition (2026) of the Ship for World Youth, and Spain was one of them.
We selected the participants together with the Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España), and the delegation that represented Spain in the programme's 37th edition was chosen. Our thanks go to the hundreds of people who showed interest and applied.
The voyage
Three ports, thirteen countries.
- Dates
- 15 February – 12 March 2026
- Route
- Bangkok Thailand
- Okinawa Japan
- Aichi Japan
- Participating countries
- Japan
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Chile
- Dominican Republic
- Greece
- India
- Jamaica
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Spain
People
Eight participants and one National Leader.
Introduction cards published by the association before the voyage (in Spanish).
Timeline
From the invitation to the return.
February 2025
Spain, an invited country
The Prime Minister's Office of Japan announces the countries invited to the 2026 edition. Spain is one of them.
2025
Selecting the delegation
SWYAA Spain runs the selection together with the Spanish Youth Council (Consejo de la Juventud de España), from among hundreds of applicants.
15 February 2026
The programme begins
The 37th Ship for World Youth sets off, with ports of call in Bangkok, Okinawa and Aichi.
12 March 2026
The programme ends
The edition comes to a close. The delegation returns home as part of the SWYAA community.
2026
Reception at the Embassy of Japan
The SWY37 delegation is received by the new Ambassador of Japan to Spain, Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi. Source (in Spanish)
Gallery
Records of the voyage.
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The sea through a porthole of the Nippon Maru. SWYAA Spain Archive -
2026 · Reception of the 37th delegation with the new Ambassador, Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi. SWYAA Spain Archive
The community afterwards
Coming home is part of the voyage too.
After the programme, the SWY37 delegation was received by the new Ambassador of Japan to Spain. Since returning, its members have been part of SWYAA Spain, which is preparing the 18th Global Assembly, to be held in Spain in 2027.
Resources
Further reading.
In just 17 slides, the Government of Japan explains what the programme involves. If you still have questions, see our frequently asked questions.