YOUNGSHIP SRI LANKA IFTAR & DINNER 2024
Run For Her – Inspiring Inclusion to Raise Awareness on Menstrual Hygiene and Period Poverty
In a tremendous display of youth activism, YoungShip Sri Lanka organized ‘YoungShip-WISTA Run For Her 2024’; an event in line with International Women’s Day, shining light on the pressing issues of inadequate menstrual hygiene and period poverty in Sri Lanka. The event took place on 03rd of March 2024 at Independence Square, bringing together over 250 participants who took part in the charity run as a call to address the fundamental rights of girls and women in rural parts of the country. The event comprised a 5km Run for Men and Women, a two-person 5km relay, and a kid’s run.
Period poverty, the inability to access sanitary products, and proper menstrual hygiene management due to financial constraints, is a pressing concern faced by millions of women worldwide. As a result of Sri Lanka’s socio-economic inequalities, many women and girls in the country still grapple with the stigma, shame, and practical challenges associated with menstruation and obtaining the right hygienic products.
‘Run For Her’ 2024 brought together several organisations that showcased their shared concern for this cause and fostered a sense of unity and purpose across several industries. The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka joined hands with YoungShip Sri Lanka as the Title Sponsor for the event.
Silver sponsors included Fairway Colombo and Meridian Maritime Services, while Advantis and Cargills Food City showcased their support as the event’s bronze sponsors.
Other partners for the event included;
- Product Sponsor – Femography by MAS
- Medical Partner – Melsta Hospitals
- Fitness Partner – TASS
- Hydration Partner - Redbull
- Radio Partner – Fox Radio
- Outdoor Media Partner – Emerging Media
- Waste Management Partner – Encare
- Online Shopping Partner – Daraz.lk
- Venue Partner - CR&FC
- Food Partners – Susiko, Maggi
- Gift Sponsors – 4Planet, VOSKOM, Thyaga, Serenity, PowerCrunch, AdamExpo
- Partner Associations – Old Thomians Swimming Club, Women in Management
- Other partners – Aquafine, pulse.lk
- Event Designer – G360
As participants crossed the finish line and reflected on the significance of their collective efforts, 'YoungShip-Wista Run For Her' left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of all involved. It served as a testament to the power of youth leadership in driving positive change in the country and empowering the future.
As a thank you for their endeavor, all participants received tokens of appreciation from the event’s gift sponsors; in addition to a finisher’s medal and certificate. The first 10 male and female runners, winners of the relays, and all participants of the kids events were commemorated, along with unique prizes for the event’s last finisher, oldest participant, 100th registrant, and many more. As a special gesture to all women participants, Femography by MAS donated samples of their latest menstruation product to hallmark the event.
In further commemoration of Women’s Day, YoungShip Sri Lanka also set up a Donation Booth for the collection of funds and sanitary products. Proceeds from the event will be used to organise workshops covering all aspects of menstrual education and carry out projects in distributing sanitary products to rural communitues in the country throughout the year ahead.
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YOUNGSHIP SRI LANKA PARTNERS AS A SUPPORT ASSOCIATION OF THE MARITIME STANDARD FOR YEAR 2024
YoungShip Sri Lanka is thrilled to announce their partnership as a Support Association of The Maritime Standard for 2024. The upcoming year is filled with many events covering a diverse range of topics pertaining to the maritime industry. As we collaborate on this journey together, we are committed to providing our members with awareness, knowledge and opportunities globally.
Amidst a host of events, there first event for the calendar is the The Maritime Standard Ship Finance and Trade Conference – 14th February 2024, Taj Exotica Resort, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai https://tms-shipfinanceandtrade.com/
YoungShip Sri Lanka Sets Sails for Another Impactful Year & Appoints Executive Committee for 2024
Eleven Years of YoungShip Sri Lanka: Setting Sail for Another Impactful Year
YoungShip Sri Lanka, part of a global movement established to empower young professionals in the maritime industry, marked its 11th anniversary with its Annual General Meeting held on the 24th of January 2024 at the Havelock City Clubhouse. The event saw the appointment of a new Executive Committee under the continued leadership of Ms. Maleena Awn, the organisation’s First Female Chair.
The Newly appointed Executive Committee is as follows:
- Chairperson – Maleena Awn (Meridian Maritime Services Ltd)
- Vice Chair – Nirmal Dissanayake (Eastern Maritime (Colombo) Ltd)
- Secretary – Aruni Wijepala (Hayleys Energy Services Lanka Pvt Ltd)
- Treasurer – Sunera Wijesekara (Eastern Maritime (Colombo) Ltd)
- Assistant Secretary – Shanga Jayawickreme (McLarens Group of Companies)
- Assistant Treasurer – Patali Karunarathne (Centrum Marine Consultancy Pvt Ltd)
- Immediate Past Chair - Rishantha Mendis (Prudential Shipping)
- Shane De Alwis (Hapag Lloyd Lanka (Pvt) Ltd)
- Prashan Fernando (Panama Shipping Pvt Ltd)
- Kasuni Ahangangoda (Pership Synergy Pvt Ltd)
- Aishwarya Palihawadana (Centrum Marine Consultancy Pvt Ltd)
- Adrian Jansz (Hayleys Energy Services Lanka Pvt Ltd)
Founded in Norway, YoungShip International is a non-profit establishment with a dynamic and diverse footprint of over 4000 members in 31 countries, dedicated to promoting the interests and values of the next generation of maritime leaders. YoungShip Sri Lanka being one of the global departments, hosts a series of projects, activities, and events to connect emerging professionals with industry stakeholders, mentors, and fellow peers to innovate, collaborate and promote growth & diversity within the sector.
Over the past year, YoungShip Sri Lanka organized a series of successful events and initiatives to promote knowledge sharing and camaraderie amongst its members. These included the YoungShip Avurudu Party in April, entertaining over 100 members; followed by an environmental initiative in June, where 400 trees were planted around the Bundala National Reserve buffer zone. July saw the YoungShip Patrons Forum, while August featured hosting a session on “Digitalisation in the Maritime Industry and the Potential Impact of the Port Community System for Sri Lanka” featuring a panels of esteemed industry veterans. The month of July concluded with a fun filled Quiz Night hosted by the energetic personality of Dominic Kellar.
In September, the organization supported the CASA Maritime Conference by conducting a session on the theme ‘Unlocking the Potential of the Blue Economy. A family room for seafarers was established with the help of the Mission to Seafarers with continual efforts from November, and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in January. The year concluded with the Annual Christmas Party and the launch of the YoungShip Caring Hands program, providing resources to underprivileged children followed by two projects completed within the year in providing Stationary and dry rations to children in need.
YoungShip Sri Lanka continuously engaged with its international counterparts from Turkey, Rotterdam, India, and Cyprus, for potential collaboration opportunities in 2023. Leveraging on these global connections, Ms. Awn conveys that the organisation’s focus will be on four main pillars – Knowledge and Skills Amplification, Building Strong Maritime Communities, Championing Sustainability, Environmental Responsibility, and Community Outreach, and Operational Excellence and Innovation. Collectively, YoungShip Sri Lanka acknowledges the immense support received from all its support associations, sponsors, industry affiliates, and members as the community sets its sails for yet another eventful year lifting the maritime industry of Sri Lanka.
YoungShip Sri Lanka endorses 1st Female Cadet Program in Sri Lanka
YoungShip Sri Lanka was proud to be an endorsement partner for a historic milestone in Sri Lanka's Seafaring Landscape on the 1st of December 2023. The 1st ever cohort of Female cadet intake as a collaborative effort between Centrum Marine Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd and CINEC under the initiative of “She Can Sail the Seas” The batch consisted of 8 Navigation Cadets and 7 Engine Cadets. The event was attended by YoungShip Sri Lanka’s Asst Treasurer. YoungShip wishes these brave souls prosper in their pursuit of conquering the Seven Seas.
YoungShip Launch "YoungShip Challenge Trophy"
The YoungShip Sri Lanka Chairperson donated a trophy to the Maritime Golf Community (MGC) to be retained and awarded by succeeding chairpersons of YoungShip every year to support promoting future youth joining the maritime golf fraternity and hope for this to grow in the years ahead. The Trophy was launched on the 4th of November 2023.
YoungShip Caring Hands Project 2
YoungShip Sri Lanka conducted the second project of their Caring Hands Programme on the 16th of January 2024. The Executive committee visited the Shilpa Children’s Development Centre in Nawala and donated stationary items and dry ration supplies for a one month period to support 23 girls in foster care placed by the government’s child probation authority. The Shilpa Children’s Trust was established in 1988.
YoungShip Caring Hands Project 1
YoungShip Sri Lanka conducted the first project of their Caring Hands Programme on the 19th of December 2023. The committee Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer visited the Hermann Gmeiner School in Kesbewa and handed over 50 stationary packs to students from under privileged backgrounds along with extra packs of stationary supplies for distribution that was handed over to the Principal of the school. The school houses many students from under privileged homes and the SOS village in need of support (school supplies including food programs). We wish these kids all the best in their studies for the forthcoming year and hope that our support can ease the resource burden borne by them.
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YoungShip Sri Lanka Christmas Party 2023
YoungShip Sri Lanka successfully concluded their Christmas Party 2023 to call the year to a close in an evening of fellowship, food, fun, carols and act of giving at the Nondescripts Cricket club, Colombo on the 14th of December 2023.
With over 110 participants present the evening was no doubt an eventful and memorable one. YoungShip Sri Lanka also launched their Caring Hands Programme during this event that aims to support and provide underprivileged children with the necessary resources, training and awareness to build their future. Another shout out to Mayura & the band who kept everyone swaying to their tunes into the night.
YoungShip Sri Lanka Establish the MTS Family Room - Declared open by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in January 2024
YoungShip Sri Lanka embarked on a project to refurbish a family room at The Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Centre in Colombo.
The Mission to Seafarers is a global charity that provides support to seafarers and their families. The Centre in Colombo provides a much-needed safe-haven for seafarers who are often away from their homes and loved ones for long periods of time. The family room is a particularly important space, as it allows seafarers to connect with their families especially with children and infants who travel long distances to reach Colombo and to spend valuable time together with their family in a relaxed and comfortable setting at the Mission.
A space was identified at The Mission to Seafarers Centre in Colombo which was converted into a new family room that is bright, welcoming, and functional. The project commenced in September 2023.
It was an honor to have the Global Head of the Mission to Seafarers Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne ceremoniously declare the room open in the presence of Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Rev. Perry Brohier (Archdeacon of Colombo/ Port Chaplain Mission To Seafarers Sri Lanka), Rev. John Attenborough (Regional Director Middle East & South Asia and Port Chaplain Cyprus of the Mission to Seafarers), Mrs. Maleena Awn (Chairperson YoungShip Sri Lanka), distinguished members of the British High Commission Sri Lanka, the staff of the Mission to Seafarer Colombo, amongst others.
