Sri Lanka Unites partnered with the Weeramantry Centre for
Peace Education and Research (WICPER) to send a Sri Lankan delegation on the
international Peace Boat. SLU was represented by national committee member and
School relations co-ordinator Sanura Gunawardena and Trinity College SLU
chapter representative Johann Rattwatte. Peace Boat is a Japan-based
international non-governmental and non-profit organization that works to
promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for
the environment.
Peace Boat aims to implement positive social and political
change in the world through global educational programs, cooperative projects
and advocacy activities. These activities are carried out in partnership with
civil society organizations throughout the world. Peace Boat carries out its
main activities through a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on
peace voyages.
Sri Lanka Unites was honored to be invited to be part of the
Sri Lankan delegation along with the Weeramantry Centre for Peace Education and
Research (WICPER) on the 76th Global Peace Voyage which sailed from
Yokohama, Japan on May 8th, 2012. Each Peace Boat voyage is a
fascinating mix of people from different cultures, ages, professions and
countries. The wide range of experiences, outlooks and viewpoints on building a
culture of peace combine to create an eclectic onboard environment that mirrors
the diversity of the world and its peoples.
Our delegation boarded the ship in Singapore and traveled to
Phuket, Thailand to visit an orphanage and an area devastated by the 2004
Tsunami. From Thailand the Peace Boat traveled to Sri Lanka where the Peace
Boat travelers met with other Sri Lanka Unites team members. SLU delegate
Sanura Gunawardana described his experience on the Peace Boat as a remarkable one
where he was able to meet a diverse group of people from different cultures and
backgrounds and learn and broaden his perspectives on reconciliation and other
pertinent issues. He described the lectures, cultural events, sports activities
and other events on board as a unique environment for building friendships and
learning to make effective positive change in society. Specifically, he and the
other delegates were able to learn about other nations’ efforts in working
through similar issues as Sri Lanka.
They hosted forums with OnePeople.sg, an organized dedicated to
reconciling ethnic divisions in Singapore and a team from Northern Ireland
working towards reconciliation in their nation.
Throughout the
voyage, the Sri Lankan delegation facilitated discussions and hosted events to
share their experiences growing up in a nation torn by war and their volunteer
efforts to bring reconciliation to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan delegation introduced Sri Lankan culture to the Peace
Boat participants by hosting a cultural night prior to the day the ship docked
in Colombo. Karen Hallows had the following to say regarding the Sri Lanka
Unites representatives “Sanura and Johann did an excellent job onboard Peace
Boat. It was a real pleasure to have them with us. Thanks to them, the
participants of Peace Boat were able to see how youth are building a new future
in Sri Lanka- truly inspiring! Thank you!”
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