tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39464163052757125062024-03-05T22:44:42.205-08:00Sri Lanka UnitesYouth Movement for Hope and ReconciliationChris Xavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11070383566316663536noreply@blogger.comBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-39607512731013827752019-09-09T02:32:00.000-07:002019-09-09T22:32:54.054-07:00No to Hate and Violence #NeverAgain<span style="text-align: justify;">Marking 10 years since the end of the war and 6 months since
the Easter Attacks Sri Lanka Unites would like to host a national
memorialization and collective pledge titled #NeverAgain. This event will bring
together youth from all 25 districts embodying the aspirations of a new
generation of Sri Lankans.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sri Lanka Unites is a grassroots movement that has been in
operation since 2007, engaging with over one million youth and active in 25
districts of the country, with over 25,000 members, over 1000 volunteers and 9 reconciliation
centers. The event will promote an inclusive Sri Lankan identity and break the
cycles of violence and circles of hate. We will also collectively mourn the
loss of lives and aspire to inculcate a collective identity and resolve as a
new generation of Sri Lankans for an inclusive Sri Lankan identity and a
non-violent, peaceful, prosperous future. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP3e84JRT0WnDwaZZavzdU4w4fc6Nva0VAyEMUbnL7SJJyNB6StmrAPCXSOhnEKgFqA_-p9RcOb-OgXUvrD80ihSEtKsi5nT5C_GNsLawWDyRx7zZ3omNJib9witQbPnObwvYan30SzIn/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1482" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVP3e84JRT0WnDwaZZavzdU4w4fc6Nva0VAyEMUbnL7SJJyNB6StmrAPCXSOhnEKgFqA_-p9RcOb-OgXUvrD80ihSEtKsi5nT5C_GNsLawWDyRx7zZ3omNJib9witQbPnObwvYan30SzIn/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Why? </u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Purpose of The Event<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Awareness about the country’s conflict and
cycles of violence<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Collective Memorialization and Healing<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Platform to express our commitment to say No to
Hate and Violence, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">#</b>NeverAgain<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Promoting an inclusive Sri Lankan Identity and our
Path Forward<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>How? </u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Strategy of the Event<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->National Gathering of Youth and Allies<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Use of arts - Introducing memorialization and
creating awareness on cycles of violence<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pledge and Commitment as a new generation of Sri
Lankans<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->3 simple proactive steps communities and
individuals can take <o:p></o:p></div>
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promote an inclusive identity<o:p></o:p></div>
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intentionally integrating with other
communities<o:p></o:p></div>
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counter hate speech and violence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>What? </u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Components of the Event</i><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pre-Event<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Opening the memorial<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Workshops for young budding artists from across
Sri Lanka interested in memorialization and promoting unity through their art<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Truth Circles (all 3 languages) for sharing
grievances and pain<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Various artistic expressions to create
awareness, memorialization and affirm our pledge<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Key Performance Indicators
</u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How do we gage our success at this
event?</i><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Numbers attended both physically and online
(livestream, use of hashtag, pledge)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Media Coverage<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Viral Content<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Surveys/ Testimonials <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A viral documentary of the entire event and a
new generations pledge and actions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Documentary to be featured at film
festivals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sustained Impact<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Regional Memorials that value the dignity of all
Sri Lankan lives lost<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->More Numbers of Youth making the pledge and
living by it<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A new culture of a collective countering hate
speech and violence and promote civility, respect and reconciliation <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-34288125636195785282019-06-18T02:46:00.000-07:002019-07-19T01:19:26.708-07:00Easter Attack Response Updates<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Social Media Volunteer Training - 15th of June, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">With the increasing number of hate speech
posts on all social media platforms we soon found the need to conduct a
training for our best volunteers. On the 15th of June at Hatch Works we brought
together 30 volunteers representing all parts of the country for a training. We
had participants from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Matara, Puttalam, Badulla and
Colombo. With the help of our Easter response partners SLASSCOM, we were able
to conduct the training successfully.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiNW603eh4LWXeuNHVInbz9reJBxUH4VleHWSQmptcyt1yPndl4Wkcu1TVhVqeUTkb96kfhV92pyEXWtZDDN19L0f8DhC1lfD7Cucc3CZMNx6GOqzrSRctPmu03dI9q6KWPwFK52BwMs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiNW603eh4LWXeuNHVInbz9reJBxUH4VleHWSQmptcyt1yPndl4Wkcu1TVhVqeUTkb96kfhV92pyEXWtZDDN19L0f8DhC1lfD7Cucc3CZMNx6GOqzrSRctPmu03dI9q6KWPwFK52BwMs/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">We looked at the history of violence in our
country and the daunting statistics, followed by one of our own who was trained
by Facebook itself sharing her learnings and finally a representative from
SLASSCOM sharing about the new Artificial Intelligence software they are
launching to help combat hate speech. We had a very interactive session with
all the participants contributing with their ideas and questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLkWDSr4zH_ALDM37LcjxW8yUepiLodIuY21ERLkcaHbhdfyJBw6cBAMjUI47QZUrUCQLWLkl6Wg-ys5YGPCIduvtgdZAzB6uLHXXeicVrokerd-uALdMHGvJt0g-V7wrpR0rld-42NfK/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLkWDSr4zH_ALDM37LcjxW8yUepiLodIuY21ERLkcaHbhdfyJBw6cBAMjUI47QZUrUCQLWLkl6Wg-ys5YGPCIduvtgdZAzB6uLHXXeicVrokerd-uALdMHGvJt0g-V7wrpR0rld-42NfK/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">An introduction to Sri Lanka Unites and the
work we do was given by our founder/ president which was then followed by a
conversation on the Conflict history of Sri Lanka since independence. Following
this discussion another discussion was conducted on the grievances faced by
each ethnicity to make the crowd understand that walking in another's shoe is
very important for us to understand the pain and grief of another ethnicity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRdcoTnwAHZhFk3y18tsPA_aoC63woeoNifNyhRJpPeHi6eTjzi-27cNsUlmx_S3fhDxNoeqZss5JJv4Sp_aV-nHWqI7vU9jh_xlZCOadXYpGWLovF_CpheBn01QwuQ8pn7q9Q3pPw7i6/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRdcoTnwAHZhFk3y18tsPA_aoC63woeoNifNyhRJpPeHi6eTjzi-27cNsUlmx_S3fhDxNoeqZss5JJv4Sp_aV-nHWqI7vU9jh_xlZCOadXYpGWLovF_CpheBn01QwuQ8pn7q9Q3pPw7i6/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Following the introduction to conflict
timeline of Sri Lanka and the grievances the next session was conducted on Fake
News and Hate speech - definitions and examples were shared with volunteers to
give an understanding on fake news and hate speech which has been fast
spreading on Social Media in Sri Lanka. Also strategies and ideas were shared
on identifying fake news, misinformation and hate speech, steps of reporting
hate speech and getting the correct URLs of the posts on Facebook were all part
of this session. It was concluded with a series of questions and answers between
the volunteers and the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsr_Dj_KRShEKMfvtX5ORSpRI7e5o53S0nwZPr52WtLhWP5hX-kOWFuBK7GccYZI8GIPcRIDLfNFBXAPq-7CdWCL2o0UUtSbgnAmltHAxNDrhacIaKW8FLNnUcdGhqMiDwrZs2j-J7mSx/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1186" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsr_Dj_KRShEKMfvtX5ORSpRI7e5o53S0nwZPr52WtLhWP5hX-kOWFuBK7GccYZI8GIPcRIDLfNFBXAPq-7CdWCL2o0UUtSbgnAmltHAxNDrhacIaKW8FLNnUcdGhqMiDwrZs2j-J7mSx/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As the final session we had a
representative from SLASSCOM Sri Lanka who spoke about his experience and what
more we can do as a collective - while reporting bad content we need to make
sure that there is more good content out there and he also urged the volunteers
to continue the good work without stopping. The training concluded with
distribution of refreshments and a discussion on our next steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-51045237530738530862019-05-29T05:41:00.003-07:002019-09-29T22:43:48.290-07:00Sri Lanka Unites - Easter Attack Response Updates <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">The 21<sup>st</sup> of April 2019 will go
down in our history as one of the most inhumane acts of terrorism inflicted on
our people. Taking the lives of almost 250 people and an unaccountable number
of families affected it still haunts us up to date. It is safe to say that the
whole country was left in disbelief and shock. We as an organization
immediately responded with an action plan to help those affected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Our
10 step Response Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">COUNSELLING SEMINARS FOR ALL
THREE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">PERSONAL TRAUMA THERAPY FOR
SURVIVORS OF THE ATTACK<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">MEMORIALIZING AND TOMBSTONES FOR VICTIMS</span><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">SPECIALIZED THERAPY SESSIONS FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED BY THESE ATTACKS</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED BY THE ATTACKS.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">WEBINAR SERIES TO DISCUSS PRESSING CONCERNS OF MODERATES – FEATURING
MUSLIM AND CATHOLIC + CHRISTIAN YOUTH LEADERS LIVE ON FACEBOOK</span><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">#togetherwewillovercome ONLINE POSTER CAMPAIGN</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ENGAGING WITH MUSLIM SCHOOLS AND MOSQUES TO COUNTER FURTHER
RADICALIZATION</span><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ENGAGING WITH MULTI-RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS TO COUNTER BULLYING</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ISLAND WIDE SCHOOL TOUR / CREATE INTER-RELIGIOUS YOUTH COALITIONS</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"> Responding to our calls for donations we had generous people and organizations believe in the work we do making donations for this cause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Partner
Organizations Meeting – 15<sup>th</sup> May 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn29N5L4eKxpc-IXcPNgykQOdMqT4Sxcv4Gf_u1MqNiqzh6og9cO1OFTDfUDy8IJfijp4ikaHdt_sclpRHOhY19B_jy2Huf7EXGo29LYVqqcmu0rSBzOTvFve14ZSM-Vd6fJ-wA4cYfLFY/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.05+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn29N5L4eKxpc-IXcPNgykQOdMqT4Sxcv4Gf_u1MqNiqzh6og9cO1OFTDfUDy8IJfijp4ikaHdt_sclpRHOhY19B_jy2Huf7EXGo29LYVqqcmu0rSBzOTvFve14ZSM-Vd6fJ-wA4cYfLFY/s320/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.05+PM.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With lots of organizations reaching out to
us to help or partner with us we were encouraged to know that there are good
people who are willing to reach out to those who are hurting. So we organized
for a platform where all of them can come to one table to discuss the best way
forward. This way we made sure that it was a joint effort and no one was
replicating the work the other was doing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">We had representation from Leads, the World
Bank, Gudppl, Sumithrayo and a church from the Negombo area. After a successful
round of discussion we agreed on a combined response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">21st May - Vigil to remember all lives lost, as close to the
venue as possible<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">15th of June - Training conducted by experts for the social
media volunteers on how to counter hate speech better<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">By the 21st of June - Seminar organized informing the community
of the trauma/ counselling for adults and children. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">21st of June/ 21st of July - To have the memorial and
individual tombstones in place. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">21st of June - Have the information needed in place for the
Savings accounts to be opened for the children (or of existing ones).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Last two weeks of June - SLU will go to mosques and schools to
conduct sessions countering radicalization<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Training our team to continue to engage with the communities
and build long term friendships. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A survey done by volunteers to put together a comprehensive
needs assessment document</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudRVY6O8OEOWaqMjkSkvHOsNaJ-iWmEq-K9IJ3wpDXemyAls4JLbwk_jfu6Tqimw7rPalTKQsdJrZMdZTLRN3zY8poHKZZ6ztP6eZAnbcwSFQ1dPtF0oSmzMngWJH9AUBBbdXvWRsn7TW/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.06+PM+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudRVY6O8OEOWaqMjkSkvHOsNaJ-iWmEq-K9IJ3wpDXemyAls4JLbwk_jfu6Tqimw7rPalTKQsdJrZMdZTLRN3zY8poHKZZ6ztP6eZAnbcwSFQ1dPtF0oSmzMngWJH9AUBBbdXvWRsn7TW/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.06+PM+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ0pM1_H-pmXrzpzCjEhZAlt7EHM0cTNdPrWqJGpO5MQsaGU0eTGy5SOf9Q3Wz7WvLcT9zpSaNwM8W0ck113RqNGUc03M0S_gBzY34-yPmIURkt3CMlAw-vtryryandTcK2BJCyjruhPd/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.06+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ0pM1_H-pmXrzpzCjEhZAlt7EHM0cTNdPrWqJGpO5MQsaGU0eTGy5SOf9Q3Wz7WvLcT9zpSaNwM8W0ck113RqNGUc03M0S_gBzY34-yPmIURkt3CMlAw-vtryryandTcK2BJCyjruhPd/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+5.56.06+PM.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Call
for Social Media Volunteers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">With us finding repeating posts inciting
hate we found ourselves amidst a lot of hate speech proposing violence. As a
response to this we called for 1000 volunteers to donate their time in order
for us to find more and report the pages and people sharing these posts. We
have managed to gather close to 430 volunteers as of now for this cause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">We are also very happy and proud to share
that Facebook made us one of their official partners for this cause. Whatever
data we gather, when we share it with them and they in return respond to it
within 48 hours. We have managed to report multiple pages and people whom they
have blocked off their site. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Videos
contradicting the hate posts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">As it is also important to share positive
posts to negate the hate, we have asked the same volunteers to share our
content built around conversations exploring topics related to togetherness,
reconciliation, refusing violence and many more. We conducted two sessions which included video recordings and facebook live sessions.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglELbzHSfjz6mUm65c74EbAo9UMew7rcbNFezpFCmGpNrwmtvH1ccG_AmjPbwLwYTFcvVikk-JFNnCIpEmdN6OaE0GHJI9gwLkodZeChutfiM9uzpo1oUEfHKgZbJR8jmvZmuZqvZkd1j9/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+3.50.18+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglELbzHSfjz6mUm65c74EbAo9UMew7rcbNFezpFCmGpNrwmtvH1ccG_AmjPbwLwYTFcvVikk-JFNnCIpEmdN6OaE0GHJI9gwLkodZeChutfiM9uzpo1oUEfHKgZbJR8jmvZmuZqvZkd1j9/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+3.50.18+PM.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5B8GCuxXmcvqaE49ov4K3UK3wd0UcJCUtIkkhZhJha9i6gLBTEVLGFs_TKordgaHHTxEiltnroEO0jx1TkLIxR-To_302reAP4osZGfwn6gCGkcHWbx6_vrr_ZWVXVLKnZo98W4a4ZtS/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+3.50.18+PM+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5B8GCuxXmcvqaE49ov4K3UK3wd0UcJCUtIkkhZhJha9i6gLBTEVLGFs_TKordgaHHTxEiltnroEO0jx1TkLIxR-To_302reAP4osZGfwn6gCGkcHWbx6_vrr_ZWVXVLKnZo98W4a4ZtS/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-29+at+3.50.18+PM+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">One
month Memorial – 21<sup>st</sup> of May <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLtihtu2u4kYZwWNkz7EY_77zK-Jle1BrkYYcgIQomW9jqT5n6cAzSufI-iu-IbtIwWVzOR3N79v7kbsMx3lfoViO_RPjIaKSdsR8zuF20rHXPA4LXlfx9hxJ4qria-iETO0kyUHgUh5t/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+9.34.39+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLtihtu2u4kYZwWNkz7EY_77zK-Jle1BrkYYcgIQomW9jqT5n6cAzSufI-iu-IbtIwWVzOR3N79v7kbsMx3lfoViO_RPjIaKSdsR8zuF20rHXPA4LXlfx9hxJ4qria-iETO0kyUHgUh5t/s320/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+9.34.39+PM.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">We were successfully able to complete the
first step of our plan with organizing 3 memorials in the 3 cities that were
attacked. If there is one thing in which our nation has failed it is to
remember and honour those who lost their lives. So we made sure it was part of
our initiative to organize for a vigil where people from all faiths and
ethnicities are able to come and pay their respects with candles and flowers.
We wanted to show case our solidarity and mostly to show the families that they
are not forgotten nor alone. And that their loved ones will always be in our
hearts and memorialised in a </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">way they deserve. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHbqGSErZUIk2BtQCWplLaln_AR1VB4BuqPvNcxgFga9VPvbMvlHiQX8A1BVbW32rpz80kRfrkCn1WKw6r1uDoKj9DCpPcB7WO_Tl4YCA1dJ3rMcB7nq2H_wNWseBlgBdsjFG1-GCPWJ8/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+6.21.19+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHbqGSErZUIk2BtQCWplLaln_AR1VB4BuqPvNcxgFga9VPvbMvlHiQX8A1BVbW32rpz80kRfrkCn1WKw6r1uDoKj9DCpPcB7WO_Tl4YCA1dJ3rMcB7nq2H_wNWseBlgBdsjFG1-GCPWJ8/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+6.21.19+PM.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bMWIGM5s70d2kovBgHx7hgoljzsj4NbYKXYDjY5gRdqEZ6CmsbDshzNPmBLq0zCNJoynC5dmReXhnXfZgSAaN-7SKN2eieBBt6UiQR2mkfGDJjVYBmYxpq2mUTCYWEdCJQKbBI0Ht4rs/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+6.21.26+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bMWIGM5s70d2kovBgHx7hgoljzsj4NbYKXYDjY5gRdqEZ6CmsbDshzNPmBLq0zCNJoynC5dmReXhnXfZgSAaN-7SKN2eieBBt6UiQR2mkfGDJjVYBmYxpq2mUTCYWEdCJQKbBI0Ht4rs/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2019-05-21+at+6.21.26+PM.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: inherit;">Donation from the Businesses at the Dutch Hospital Precinct – 21<sup>st</sup>
of May<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9tgl_k6ef5eXK1EuA9OMvOYGwk4KJ1RYfQhcKaIy3BB5pcFMvt5L0LSgw0-nmimCpCGZsC7sLNuehzrKq0EohXlN7E042XRYdWI6frLrotFcsr40TMKBIcxVPPIw8nqrLpnrlaAK_pTB/s1600/SLU2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9tgl_k6ef5eXK1EuA9OMvOYGwk4KJ1RYfQhcKaIy3BB5pcFMvt5L0LSgw0-nmimCpCGZsC7sLNuehzrKq0EohXlN7E042XRYdWI6frLrotFcsr40TMKBIcxVPPIw8nqrLpnrlaAK_pTB/s320/SLU2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">We as a nation are blessed with
a business community that refuses to get down and be defeated during trying
times. They are not the type to lay off their workers and turn their backs
on those who are hurting during the time of a national crisis due to their own
financial challenges as businesses.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">In fact they dig deeper and support a new
generation of leader pursue healing and reconciliation an</span><span class="textexposedshow">d build a nation that is stronger , more united ,
peaceful and prosperous for all Sri Lankans.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="textexposedshow" style="font-family: inherit;">We at Sri Lanka Unites want to thank these
inspiring business leaders for investing in us to inspire the youth of our
nation and serve to heal our land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Meeting with Leads - 30</b><b style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><sup>th</sup> of May</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">During our meeting with Leads, they helped us to connect with an organization that will in turn lead us to all the 78 families from the Katuwapitiya church. They shared with us that the families have shown great interest in having tombstones in place for all the loved ones they lost.</span><span class="im" style="background-color: white; color: #500050;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This proves that partnering and joining with great organizations truly is the right way to approach the relief efforts, as oppose to our teams also speaking to the same families who are in distraught and going through a painful period in their lives. </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social Media Volunteer Training - 15th of June, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">With the increasing number of hate speech posts on all social media platforms we soon found the need to conduct a training for our best volunteers. On the 15th of June at Hatch Works we brought together 30 volunteers representing all parts of the country for a training. We had participants from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Matara, Puttalam, Badulla and Colombo. With the help of our Easter response partners SLASSCOM, we were able to conduct the training successfully.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiNW603eh4LWXeuNHVInbz9reJBxUH4VleHWSQmptcyt1yPndl4Wkcu1TVhVqeUTkb96kfhV92pyEXWtZDDN19L0f8DhC1lfD7Cucc3CZMNx6GOqzrSRctPmu03dI9q6KWPwFK52BwMs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoiNW603eh4LWXeuNHVInbz9reJBxUH4VleHWSQmptcyt1yPndl4Wkcu1TVhVqeUTkb96kfhV92pyEXWtZDDN19L0f8DhC1lfD7Cucc3CZMNx6GOqzrSRctPmu03dI9q6KWPwFK52BwMs/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">We looked at the history of violence in our country and the daunting statistics, followed by one of our own who was trained by Facebook itself sharing her learnings and finally a representative from SLASSCOM sharing about the new Artificial Intelligence software they are launching to help combat hate speech. We had a very interactive session with all the participants contributing with their ideas and questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">An introduction to Sri Lanka Unites and the work we do was given by our founder/ president which was then followed by a conversation on the Conflict history of Sri Lanka since independence. Following this discussion another discussion was conducted on the grievances faced by each ethnicity to make the crowd understand that walking in another's shoe is very important for us to understand the pain and grief of another ethnicity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Following the introduction to conflict timeline of Sri Lanka and the grievances the next session was conducted on Fake News and Hate speech - definitions and examples were shared with volunteers to give an understanding on fake news and hate speech which has been fast spreading on Social Media in Sri Lanka. Also strategies and ideas were shared on identifying fake news, misinformation and hate speech, steps of reporting hate speech and getting the correct URLs of the posts on Facebook were all part of this session. It was concluded with a series of questions and answers between the volunteers and the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">As the final session we had a representative from SLASSCOM Sri Lanka who spoke about his experience and what more we can do as a collective - while reporting bad content we need to make sure that there is more good content out there and he also urged the volunteers to continue the good work without stopping. The training concluded with distribution of refreshments and a discussion on our next steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donation made to children affected by the Easter Attacks –
3rd of July 2019<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We made our first donation
to 50 children who were either injured or lost a parent during the unfortunate
Easter Attacks in April. We partnered with the social service wing of the
Catholic churches, Seth Sarana and the Zion Church in Batticaloa in order to
select children who need it the most. We asked them to select 25 children each
as they have the better understanding of the congregation in need. Each child
will receive Rs. 25,000 which will be deposited to their bank accounts. They
can withdraw the fund on their 18<sup>th</sup> birthday. Both churches are also
assisting us with opening bank accounts for children that don’t have one. We
are also working towards raising funds to make the same donation to all the
children. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Polonnaruwa workshop – 4<sup>th</sup> July 2019<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Training and Reconciliation was successfully held at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa.
There were 150 students from 7 schools from all parts of Polonnaruwa. Kapila
Ramayake, Lakmal Sandeepa and Hirushi Wedage <span style="font-family: inherit;">went as the facilitators for the
program from Sri Lanka Unites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The workshop was based on
leadership, countering hate speech and reconciliation. We first conducted a
lecture accompanied with team activities in order to give a better
understanding of these topics. The program started with leadership
training and then we divided the students into 3 groups and did some activities
like Reach the Globe. Followed by an introduction to peacebuilding we continued
the next session with learning activities like identity game, human knot. The
students engaged well when taking part in those activities. With the debrief
twe started the lecture on peacebuilding and reconciliation. By doing another
activity on how fake news spreads, we started the next session about countering
hate speech. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd857u5oUwrjJpsZWHjL72kERaTC_RgP0sJ5OhstAYrgnpOy9po18kDkni7oWJW48PYBzJlCeLOvYdZx7TSjIy6_Nlgl9wA68jsoCwyLVKQ9U-pwBACFgwm_s26PFj0rzj4AOb_GCpEHPy/s1600/66410720_2299499673469006_4215903923107528704_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1152" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd857u5oUwrjJpsZWHjL72kERaTC_RgP0sJ5OhstAYrgnpOy9po18kDkni7oWJW48PYBzJlCeLOvYdZx7TSjIy6_Nlgl9wA68jsoCwyLVKQ9U-pwBACFgwm_s26PFj0rzj4AOb_GCpEHPy/s320/66410720_2299499673469006_4215903923107528704_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We concluded the program by
speaking about Sri Lanka Unites chapters in schools, what we do and gave the
students membership forms and the survey to fill out. The Students were truly excited
about the program and they all engaged well throughout the day. In the end, the
Principal or the school Mr. W. Ravilal talked about the workshop and thanked us
for doing this work free of charge in schools. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brainstorming Session
on countering misinformation and hate speech – 10<sup>th</sup> July 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUEN-P7zpmMpPSl2uqBbhDsJqqdCq3ytb_bWzLmRI1SCwdDEweRJzE6mvR0hPeT420qZTFKc_92kVc7ByPbhWLmeGQm0SKFeIYoiNAzc4QcN1yCfNrMt38C4J1hpU5alReyMm_CJhmjlj/s1600/66417338_2298513716900935_7229977985640562688_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1080" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUEN-P7zpmMpPSl2uqBbhDsJqqdCq3ytb_bWzLmRI1SCwdDEweRJzE6mvR0hPeT420qZTFKc_92kVc7ByPbhWLmeGQm0SKFeIYoiNAzc4QcN1yCfNrMt38C4J1hpU5alReyMm_CJhmjlj/s320/66417338_2298513716900935_7229977985640562688_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Around 20
volunteers and intellectuals participated in the session conducted by the Sri
Lanka Unites team. The session started with an introduction to Sri Lanka
Unites and the work we do. Then the team members and the participants
introduced themselves. Following the introduction the main themes used by
the Buddhist National Extremists and National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ)/ ISIS were analysed
and discussed within the group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 4 themes
used by the Buddhist National Extremists to spread hate and misinformation
included Infertility – Population Increase, Islamic Boycott, Sharia Law and Halaal
Certification. 4 themes used by the National Thowheed Jamath/ISIS to spread
hate and misinformation included, Allah is the only God/ Sri Lanka was a Muslim
state, Muslims in Sri Lanka are not holy/religious enough, Violence is
endorsed – Jihadist and being part of global movement against terror. A general
discussion was held on why people believe and tend to support the extremists
ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBpWYjJfi5bbtuiPwFoPGnETqcSm8RB4GsFFEPpADAH16zy5_w-JYDQ5qKMSjqK1iwNS8GFB2jQRWlfOIbA6Ij4Pcj__hwco1IeYd5lGWKA2dwTT_vwczYunFloPtNmF6EeKdMgi-fGFM/s1600/66437847_2298513616900945_5984600326370492416_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1080" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBpWYjJfi5bbtuiPwFoPGnETqcSm8RB4GsFFEPpADAH16zy5_w-JYDQ5qKMSjqK1iwNS8GFB2jQRWlfOIbA6Ij4Pcj__hwco1IeYd5lGWKA2dwTT_vwczYunFloPtNmF6EeKdMgi-fGFM/s320/66437847_2298513616900945_5984600326370492416_o.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Through the
discussions and analysis everyone came to a conclusion that there are
half-truth in certain themes and the extremists use these and misguide others.
So the team discussed the half-truths and came up with counter narratives for
the relevant half-truth. The Sri Lanka Unites team also </span>wanted to create
Introspection groups within the communities to answer and sort out their own
issues within the communities so that we come up with constructive ways to deal with the existing situation. Some suggestions included; doing a content series explaining the theology, exposing that
the extremists have used a small loophole for terror and building a broader
awareness on collective Sri Lankan Identity.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The session
was concluded by making note of the particular skills and areas of expertise
within the group, agreeing on the content to be created and setting specific
goals with a timeline. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="text-align: center;">Anuradhapura School
Workshop – 12<sup>th</sup> July 2019</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMyjmv_MU67Tpbuh7O5eOol0W2_zeR-LlQOrH-LsWJS1C1J1uvoYSvV5hkCQFl6ggOc2QBUckFC34pfV_SXpvxGVPDtbngzhSuJlP1bk-vvfp_ABRFo6hF4hSgDhvPUihv3bFUeXBfHXi/s1600/66600271_2306477022771271_1491543172969398272_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 2nd workshop done for schools as a responses to Easter Attack
was held at Central College- Anuradhapura. The workshop was conducted under the
topic of leadership training and reconciliation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were 138 students representing 4 schools from the Anuradhapura
district. Kapila Rathnayake, Lakmal Sandeepa and Hirushi Wedage went from the
Sri Lanka unites team to facilitate the training program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The workshop started with the session focused on leadership
and team building. We first did a lecture and some activities to make sure that
the students engaged well with the workshop. Following which we focused on the
topic reconciliation and peacebuilding, we started the session with
experiential learning activities so that the students get a better
understanding of the content.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMyjmv_MU67Tpbuh7O5eOol0W2_zeR-LlQOrH-LsWJS1C1J1uvoYSvV5hkCQFl6ggOc2QBUckFC34pfV_SXpvxGVPDtbngzhSuJlP1bk-vvfp_ABRFo6hF4hSgDhvPUihv3bFUeXBfHXi/s1600/66600271_2306477022771271_1491543172969398272_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMyjmv_MU67Tpbuh7O5eOol0W2_zeR-LlQOrH-LsWJS1C1J1uvoYSvV5hkCQFl6ggOc2QBUckFC34pfV_SXpvxGVPDtbngzhSuJlP1bk-vvfp_ABRFo6hF4hSgDhvPUihv3bFUeXBfHXi/s320/66600271_2306477022771271_1491543172969398272_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">All the students and the teachers engaged well throughout
the program and the principal gave us a very positive review. At the end, we
gave all the students a survey and the registration forms to fill out while
educating them about SLU and the work we do. Many left wanting to be members of
the Sri Lanka Unites School club.<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Memorial
and Individual Tombstones in place for the victims July 21st 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sunday the 21st of July 2019 marked the third
month remembrance of the Easter attacks which shook the Nation. The loss of
lives remains unforgettable and a scar which would be left in the hearts of all
Sri Lankans. In response to the Easter attacks Sri Lanka Unites initiated a
plan where, among other things, tombstones would be set in place to remember
the victims of these attacks, and this was formally opened on the 21st of July.
Prior to this the graves were marked merely by piled up soil and a wooden cross.
This effort by Sri Lanka Unites afforded an element of dignity to the lost
lives. The teams helped design and get the tombstones ready for the families. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Members of SLU were in Negombo, where 72 of
these tombstones were unveiled by the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. It was an
emotional event, where we saw many family members of victims paying respects to
their loved ones. We were thankful that we had this opportunity, which enabled
the families to be able to have a place to grieve the loss of their sons, daughters,
parents etc. We walked away with some comfort that our efforts in having these
tombstones allowed many to remember their own, to cherish their lives and to
let down their heartache with soulful tears.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Training
on counter radicalization for University Students<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
From the 18<sup>th</sup> to the 21<sup>st</sup>
of August we conducted our second university conference at Che Adventure Park
in Hanwella. The discussion was around the topic of National Unity or National
Security. We had close to 100 students representing 28 universities both
government and private. Alongside we also had the training for our 25 District
Coordinators that we hope to recruit as full-time staff in the near future.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_v_8ftIVUe8ogKaaoMfCyE7iDMG__tsgjOB0Cku8BTVmjAbNlv0dIbGheRU7EOModfkfZai4XcUgytbc5Ari-JW2pq8y-i4TNmXUkWynrnqcDH6m28CAVf5BDvoGB7mOztzruKXaEH7U/s1600/68794231_2368220423263597_487955181573505024_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_v_8ftIVUe8ogKaaoMfCyE7iDMG__tsgjOB0Cku8BTVmjAbNlv0dIbGheRU7EOModfkfZai4XcUgytbc5Ari-JW2pq8y-i4TNmXUkWynrnqcDH6m28CAVf5BDvoGB7mOztzruKXaEH7U/s320/68794231_2368220423263597_487955181573505024_o.jpg" width="256" /></a>We had discussions around Career path and
personality development through a reconciliation lens, History of Sri Lankan
conflicts, understanding what it means to be a Sri Lankan, Governance and
transparency from a national security perspective, reconciliation from a
business perspective and achieving national security through democracy and human
rights.<br />
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Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-15953114933763281682019-05-02T04:55:00.003-07:002019-05-02T05:01:12.658-07:00SRI LANKA UNITES RESPONSE TO EASTER ATTACKS AND COMMUNAL TENSIONS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Join us as we respond to the Easter Attacks and the communal tensions in Sri Lanka .</span></div>
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<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eastersundayattacks?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCpCjwKNpibGOm5HiE_YxOer-TUlHnI43lKiDRUlHcBi3XAABp323iMyO4fjMxOEjHEri1G5xQImtU00_f_XrKINu20tEhWnlrJCJN2JWR0DBAH_x1RHSqeOkXJvD2e8Bq0s11eS_DkItbO59_rR7EGgs4M4-JX4XdZBCdCzD0LE356kacSE2PSY6zIz-vX8P8aoBoGTQ9Ij5OZ3L_z0kvFuDLkshapxUQepI4U8De8o_PiKJGVCP3dn-a41ieqgBhUohDY3uXno2u5ejMGl_SQ9fd4tyGaV6jk_Qa1xIH62NiQnHtSR8xzRpL0usrR-c6CjkZSP2omAU8oBtXElN3f8Q&__tn__=%2ANK-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">EasterSundayAttacks</span></span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/unite?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCpCjwKNpibGOm5HiE_YxOer-TUlHnI43lKiDRUlHcBi3XAABp323iMyO4fjMxOEjHEri1G5xQImtU00_f_XrKINu20tEhWnlrJCJN2JWR0DBAH_x1RHSqeOkXJvD2e8Bq0s11eS_DkItbO59_rR7EGgs4M4-JX4XdZBCdCzD0LE356kacSE2PSY6zIz-vX8P8aoBoGTQ9Ij5OZ3L_z0kvFuDLkshapxUQepI4U8De8o_PiKJGVCP3dn-a41ieqgBhUohDY3uXno2u5ejMGl_SQ9fd4tyGaV6jk_Qa1xIH62NiQnHtSR8xzRpL0usrR-c6CjkZSP2omAU8oBtXElN3f8Q&__tn__=%2ANK-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">Unite</span></span></a> <span class="_5afx" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; direction: ltr;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/defeatterror?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCpCjwKNpibGOm5HiE_YxOer-TUlHnI43lKiDRUlHcBi3XAABp323iMyO4fjMxOEjHEri1G5xQImtU00_f_XrKINu20tEhWnlrJCJN2JWR0DBAH_x1RHSqeOkXJvD2e8Bq0s11eS_DkItbO59_rR7EGgs4M4-JX4XdZBCdCzD0LE356kacSE2PSY6zIz-vX8P8aoBoGTQ9Ij5OZ3L_z0kvFuDLkshapxUQepI4U8De8o_PiKJGVCP3dn-a41ieqgBhUohDY3uXno2u5ejMGl_SQ9fd4tyGaV6jk_Qa1xIH62NiQnHtSR8xzRpL0usrR-c6CjkZSP2omAU8oBtXElN3f8Q&__tn__=%2ANK-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer;">DefeatTerror</span></a> </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/srilanka?source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCpCjwKNpibGOm5HiE_YxOer-TUlHnI43lKiDRUlHcBi3XAABp323iMyO4fjMxOEjHEri1G5xQImtU00_f_XrKINu20tEhWnlrJCJN2JWR0DBAH_x1RHSqeOkXJvD2e8Bq0s11eS_DkItbO59_rR7EGgs4M4-JX4XdZBCdCzD0LE356kacSE2PSY6zIz-vX8P8aoBoGTQ9Ij5OZ3L_z0kvFuDLkshapxUQepI4U8De8o_PiKJGVCP3dn-a41ieqgBhUohDY3uXno2u5ejMGl_SQ9fd4tyGaV6jk_Qa1xIH62NiQnHtSR8xzRpL0usrR-c6CjkZSP2omAU8oBtXElN3f8Q&__tn__=%2ANK-R" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm">SriLanka</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Volunteer :</b> <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2FgaZ6dReh66j5DNfX9%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR17CP8caCtkeur7Vi1QnIyLTirvcn8CxWhzkr4f_nLCQWxCkiu_wRsTNYk&h=AT03xMRJ2hsrZMfwG15wHwBkvXi1heeFPryAZOJHGe47TJ0m-_7nnTXEwov6OdQUFJDpvVMRUMA8bt15fzoTCiwdoRVlo-13a9lfDMc8jGIEZhLGVdKLrPjSD-HahmOl2yga2Kg7FA8kH2RkPiIo_qCjKYBZVfOnvF8daNeYR5K_WSqSsC56QcV_eRrUmOobzRgE39O23afcxYj4rrZzywihvsb4_4I29paP5QyNPsd5eUYoekMmiDvaXM8TG-vDMBoY6_G3cBhH2ZK4lm9Ed46Zqkatyaj8fRF0-KRZZ7nQIrWeF3GgbIEsC30xrIGV6C4lj9Aae1p83n4O1xoe3y54whUHzYFcCYkZpR2hfDn7jo60oiRzh84DVu67Ph8jyR62FYf1MztWXBb-jdo2i9E4ZSPt4hpJ3xytOtgFC_NwoOpq6Xx7lzkW65wj--nXHsulTzUMFUVsXKVwYss0FZMWk1jJ4WVjS8R3jOhzgGKEMyyWR218hU-NHR3fuX5kxN_UFo7auk20ecA7A8grp59-8KaXgQbEmulIh70GTTnK8C9yUk638BMjG3J3A9anrWyw-Hc72OoCkoFBGEIkRggILP4RzPlQ1k8L30P4fe7xwOYiaiBrD-cucuqJUpbnwg" original_target="https://forms.gle/gaz6dreh66j5dnfx9?fbclid=iwar17cp8cactkeur7vi1qniyltirvcn8cxwhzkr4f_nlcqwxckiu_wrstnyk" rel="noopener nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/gaZ6dReh66j5DNfX9</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Donate :</b> <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fglobalunites.org%2Fshaken-but-not-broken%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3xZOO7AkhIJk6ZUk9AIQmmmR_pxbfLivWSK_JPMcfEbs0ii_DDNd54a5M&h=AT1GdNSOF2fH581xxRnVvlUSCxdwltJUMaIopcOnNpUXhhWQXBlO4zbvdvmZoY-_SW1i9rDLDojDzwsVhD3LC7eSRy-PIf73XJ8_v5WZ7TLwihB58mXm8FjV0CQbktwMk1MN8nNxLCmIZzeNpmVxwjCcX-sH6WR7mwcFIaHfUUIiUnpjZiCaf7VJvbeSxn4lQDNqR_qzNEkhbJqAJvKbM0g2Com6lmfE7ep7oQk4Ne9bQV47kJN_3RD0vrIlkdVM-BU1Iuu1qJaDjP2Axyvx9XdC46YSjvgfUx_sX27n3u-DkzzoP4o4qx4fT9O8drDZrISkb3rjaUiqwt7HJyqpsMXvO2m0-hsOVi_oroo_zR2AyxfBLmNKY8QTo1mLKC8rTd4Zxf-2KAAqSGlcn6j4f82ISG8VlEaJiWLPk_utBVlB-1fMOmJVvOrFPylJng-3bKdE1sBnML3_lRJ5Ag9Mth1cfRmL5UBQ0dPmh7UAMKfmsWV6Z1hyGlGpDKy4T0p7hubtjtWa5KDNniA-TFfp6bkYcQvaVSC5-JSDjzopzC5z-2668CwgkUs9x7nzqaZgqCUGrZmyc7mQASlyUC1Buw-8aAHbZee0cLs-Z7Q4AgR_VmyYSUXO_-I_L0D-oQXFRQ" href="http://globalunites.org/shaken-but-not-broken?fbclid=IwAR3xZOO7AkhIJk6ZUk9AIQmmmR_pxbfLivWSK_JPMcfEbs0ii_DDNd54a5M" original_target="http://globalunites.org/shaken-but-not-broken?fbclid=iwar3xzoo7akhijk6zuk9aiqmmmr_pxbflivwsk_jpmcfebs0ii_ddnd54a5m" rel="noopener nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://globalunites.org/shaken-but-not-broken</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>You can also donate via </b><br />Cheque written out to <span style="color: mediumblue;">“Lanka Unites”</span> posted to<br />or dropped off at<br /><br /><span style="color: mediumblue;">41 Ridgeway Place<br />Colombo 4</span><br /><br />Or wire a donation directly to our account<br /><br /><span style="color: mediumblue;">Account Name : Lanka Unites<br />Account Number : 1580032700<br />Bank : Commercial Bank<br />Branch : Ward Place</span> </span></div>
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<br />Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-81897229451803044292019-02-05T05:02:00.003-08:002019-02-07T00:12:39.033-08:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reflections on Sri Lanka’s first “Labor Demand Survey of 2017”</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and its relation to Sri Lanka Unites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 2017, the Department of Census and Statistics in Sri Lanka surveyed 3500 companies across the country and its `employers to conduct the first “Labour Demands Survey” in Sri Lanka.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The objectives of the study were</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->To examine the current employment pattern and recent recruitments and difficulties faced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->To Identify the constraints of recruiting employees in filling the vacancies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>To quantify the labour demand of the country by estimating the vacancies at present</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. To quantify the expected recruitments in the next twelve months by major occupation category</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">As SLU enters the 12<sup>th</sup> year of operation we are reviewing ways in which we may have contributed to Sri Lanka's economy over time. The 2<sup>nd</sup> objective was of specific interest to SLU because of our ability to directly influence these statistics. We took a closer look at Chapter 5 of the report titled “Future Hiring and Required Skills”, specifically on the section where t</span>he skills and labour needed for the private sector, was also assessed through the survey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Teamwork, oral communication and taking initiative were recognized as the top 3 skills which needed the most improvement.</span> According to the figure above, more than one-third of the firms mentioned that the ability of teamwork in is needed for the employees, who were not performing up to standard. Oral communication, taking initiative were the next highly important skills highlighted by the management of the firms which have to be improved among poorly performing employees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">SKILLS NEEDING MOST IMPROVEMENT<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="713" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKF2FbY69rX79jcQ0BngEvos3luD_oND7SB5wsCEIAdq39IfRpRPGGU8ZP-JpSWAGzdt4Q-e5aM47fO9y92lcPo_kBYyioJBxVBywTwSCbKUf-mO7qB-Tj_SuVp_XnagkJGp480dVm5hR/s640/Pic+2.JPG" width="640" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The relevance of the Labour Demand Survey to </span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sri Lanka Unites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sri Lanka Unites has been training young people to be leaders in the country for over a decade. SLU is happy to note that these three skills happen to be the very core of SLU leadership training. Thousands of youth have been trained over the last 11 years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">SLU believes that young people must unite along ethnic and religious lines to bring true transformational change. However, despite the heart to create change, SLU believes young people lack the very basic skills to be the change makers they long to be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7_S3wSxw8VpCfWtlEQjNT5pLUCJRSTgNc8r66YIhfncI74cWpOf7qzE53Lc5r36Q37nY-wIPMcXt_hDWSXA9cWAQTMhXJbpJ9P6Yu5XDdZgjFo-em4QjeJ1EM_FImq4vtPNPeyfpGlEQ/s1600/Pic3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="281" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7_S3wSxw8VpCfWtlEQjNT5pLUCJRSTgNc8r66YIhfncI74cWpOf7qzE53Lc5r36Q37nY-wIPMcXt_hDWSXA9cWAQTMhXJbpJ9P6Yu5XDdZgjFo-em4QjeJ1EM_FImq4vtPNPeyfpGlEQ/s200/Pic3.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Therefore, with nation-building as the ultimate focus of bringing young people together, “leadership training”, which includes the very skills in demand, is essential. Leadership training also happens to be a core pillar of the organization and it is a mandatory part of training for each and every student/volunteer who walks through the doors of SLU. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";color:#1D2129'>Leadership training, which includes
teamwork, oral communication and the ability to take initiative, is a
mandatory part of training for each and every student/volunteer who walks
through the doors of SLU.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following is a quick summary of how it is done. Activities are conducted at leadership training sessions by SLU staff and senior volunteers, who act as facilitators. These facilitators have all received ample training. Once an activity is conducted, the facilitators de-brief the trainee on the intentions of the activity. <span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 16pt;">Teamwork</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A number of activities are conducted to teach the following aspects of teamwork<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Defining a <b>team</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Working along <b>gender/ethnic lines/religious lines</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Understanding the different<b> strengths of each team member</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ability to work towards a <b>common goal</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Seeing the possibilities which could be achieved only by working together<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Importance of <b>team discussions </b>vs only taking orders<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b>Respecting opinions </b>of all<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oral communication<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">The importance of each <b>individual voice</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Importance of seeing the other person’s side of the story</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Active listening<b> “seek to listen then respond”</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">The ability to <b>create conversations </b>with strangers by finding common ground with strangers,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Icebreakers” when <b>meeting new people</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">The manner in which you communicate as a collective when working towards a common goal<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">The importance of <b>understanding the other's language</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">The use of <b>oral communication </b>(speaking out against justice, self-expression)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Learn to speak and communicate with different parties/seniors/ people in authority <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Taking initiative<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sri Lanka Unites offers school students with multiple opportunities to take their own initiatives and test the possibilities of being pro-active in the face of a problem instead of reactive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The “Champions of Change” program partners two schools across different ethnic/religious backgrounds, and encourages them to conduct a social action project together. This is a learning curve for many students who have never held a leadership role where all decisions related to the project are made by them. SLU facilitates the process, but we watch as they learn from their mistakes! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">They learn how to;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #1d2129;">Analyze pro’s and con’s before taking independent decisions<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Have confidence in their analysis <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Be brave enough to put ideas and thoughts into action<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have many stories which verify that the education system does not provide adequate leadership training and so we are not surprised that the above three factors are required to the intensity reflected through the survey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Were the results of the LDS a result of a larger issue?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The lack of priority given to harnessing soft-skills through the education system is one possible root cause of this issue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Inability to work as a team, which in essence means to work towards a common goal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The learning environment in most schools focuses on preparing children <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">competitive exams, starting at from age 10 (grade 5 scholarship exams), to age 18 (university entrance). </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The notorious “Grade 5 scholarship exam” is when most children start competing fiercely with their peers to get scholarships into better schools at the tender age of 10 years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Students don’t see themselves as part of a collective</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;">, but as individuals who are destined to run a race by themselves. They are taught that achievement comes by surpassing others in every sphere possible; to be “the best”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The sense of competition consumes a student right throughout their formative years until they sit for the Advanced level exams. The final fierce competition, gets unhealthily competitive, as students fight to get access to the limited seating in a local university. Every year we have cases of suicide once A-level results are released, where students who fail to get into university see no other options left in life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Similarly, oral communication is a skill rarely harnessed in school students. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">In most schools, the vast majority of students do not take part in extracurricular activities. The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">general definition of learning is to memorize school textbooks and re-write the very same text in an exam paper</b>. While acknowledging the importance of examining the extent to which young people have grasped an understanding of the subject matter, the Sri Lankan education system is essentially built along a model which fundamentally tests the ability of a child to memorize. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The textbooks have been designed in such a way that teachers take notes and students listen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">Most individuals spend a lot of time either at home or classes and hence <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">does not communicate with or know how to communicate with new people.</b> They are shy and backwards, without an ability to create conversations. The lack of such skills would most certainly impact their quality as individuals in the labour force. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Consequently, “taking initiative” is barely a skill that is acknowledged, let alone practised</span></b><span style="color: #1d2129;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The syllabus is a frame into which young students are forcefully directed. There are no opportunities which allow young people to take independent decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The strict hierarchical structured of authority in schools and homes produce <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sri Lankan youth who cannot take a decision let alone take initiative without “asking someone”,</b> most often a teacher/parent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;">The conservative norms which govern Sri Lankan upbringing thus produce youth who feel disempowered in the presence of authority. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Taking initiative in the workplace would make a young person feel” disobedient”,</b> as they would have been trained to think at both home and school. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We sincerely hope the education system changes to include training on the missing skills needed in the country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is exhilarating to know that our work contributes to the quality of Sri Lankan Labour! We believe that through our training, we ultimately contribute to our economy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are motivated to do more!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10.5pt;">Read more here: "Labour Demand Survey 2017" <a href="http://www.statistics.gov.lk/industry/Labour_Demand_Survey_2017_Report.pdf">http://www.statistics.gov.lk/industry/Labour_Demand_Survey_2017_Report.pdf</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Written by <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Neluni Tilllekeratne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Co-National Director<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sri Lanka Unites<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-33670710752469442512018-12-11T00:55:00.000-08:002018-12-11T00:59:50.461-08:00FLC was the life changing turning point in my social life.<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a great privilege for me to share my experience with Sri Lanka Unites. I would like to state, participation as a student in Future Leaders' Conference was the life changing turning point in my social life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HinnMB2KEnJ7lo6WqqbPTKayH7VxhgL3eLv9-bXjs9Yt2M9_bvrvzeAVvbP0blhHHudaxo46MuXxM_5Vy6iXSryzJiJlpmm-vcLxWO8TWjJwqrRjS-ay_ejgd26MKdmqbqeMafi24g54/s1600/Sajath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="960" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HinnMB2KEnJ7lo6WqqbPTKayH7VxhgL3eLv9-bXjs9Yt2M9_bvrvzeAVvbP0blhHHudaxo46MuXxM_5Vy6iXSryzJiJlpmm-vcLxWO8TWjJwqrRjS-ay_ejgd26MKdmqbqeMafi24g54/s200/Sajath1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Hailed from typical Sri Lankan family from East coast and brought up during civil war, I have inherited prejudice, mistrust and suspicion of other , along with a profound ignorance about each other. </div>
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Therefore I invariably saw the ethnic issues in a ordinary view where the environment I belonged to made me wear different shades. </div>
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I could often feel the clash and conflict between so called majority and minority the terms created for vote banks and political existence. It's obvious that the brutality of war, inter religious and inter ethnic contestation,never surpassed in the lamentable catalogue of human crime and turmoil, beneath the superficially and transiently harmonious state even in the aftermath of a conflict or a crisis and Sri Lanka is being ruined beyond restoration and development. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrw2pm5rQJrXBFECKJ8zAGUnz9YmvV-huRFh_v0k5mG0qEmhP_-eCvOZr-GSykY56b1BpjVEzxJQZIevRheaBapBmGSUdCfYHYF2NSuPFryoLWWQA-lZmGb98cFgCuGZ2kYTi7B_QhAhX/s1600/Galle+Gladi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrw2pm5rQJrXBFECKJ8zAGUnz9YmvV-huRFh_v0k5mG0qEmhP_-eCvOZr-GSykY56b1BpjVEzxJQZIevRheaBapBmGSUdCfYHYF2NSuPFryoLWWQA-lZmGb98cFgCuGZ2kYTi7B_QhAhX/s320/Galle+Gladi.jpg" width="320" /></a>I never ever imagined that one day, my attitude and imaginary concept of others who are not from my own community would change upside down, till the first day of Future Leaders Conference - Season 4 in 2012., where I knowing not what actually the event was about. </div>
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I should mention, a student who refused the offer of a home made sweet from fellow student from different community on the first day, had shared his lunch with the same plate on the final day of the conference and it's none other than me. </div>
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I'm glad that I've got brothers and sisters from another mothers across the island. SLU Future Leaders' Conference had paved the way for me to find new families and friends no matter what communal language, religion,race,cast, socioeconomic status they belong to. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbilJ-905bGNb4_EROSDFQZDzFqRnK67qr2rB9uaaWoV522vtOpmdDP8lbqoMaeyaWWFAQiaOOEkNsDZN3CnysJ_FdrMt4fILGzLLPNG-jbp0lCNgUvWdwEuD_57FeTPvCIlAqyTyOie5/s1600/Sajath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbilJ-905bGNb4_EROSDFQZDzFqRnK67qr2rB9uaaWoV522vtOpmdDP8lbqoMaeyaWWFAQiaOOEkNsDZN3CnysJ_FdrMt4fILGzLLPNG-jbp0lCNgUvWdwEuD_57FeTPvCIlAqyTyOie5/s320/Sajath.jpg" width="320" /></a>I acknowledge that Sri Lanka Unites family has been being the one of the mirrors for me to see and identify the hidden skills and talents in me. I owe to everyone who helped,guided and mentored me in every aspects , to be who I am now.</div>
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Now I've extended the radius of my circles from millimetres to kilometres. I've come across tons of stories and journeys of people from different backgrounds. Everything seems to be unique and new. I strongly believe that experiences are the best way of learning and improve everyone for the betterment of tomorrow. </div>
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In a nutshell, what SLU taught me are, Everyone born for greatness and are destined to leave your mark on this generation, for in you, lies a potential history maker,a world changer and a trial blazer who could help write the brand new golden chapter in Sri Lankan era. </div>
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Best is yet to come!!!</div>
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- Sajath Sabry -</div>
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Team SLU member</div>
Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-75988841820618524642018-08-28T22:15:00.000-07:002018-08-28T22:15:30.998-07:00Getting the young ones involved in fostering peace<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 15px !important; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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By Tarini Pilapitiya - The Sunday Times<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">We have just got started, says founder of Sri Lanka Unites, Prashan De Visser who was recently awarded the Commonwealth Point of Light in recognition of his work</span></div>
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How can I help? – The catchphrase made famous by customer service assistants has been put into practice by Prashan De Visser for most of his life. Prashan is the founder of Sri Lanka Unites (SLU), a youth movement which has in the past 11 years grown to around 20,000 young people from different ethnicities and religious backgrounds from 25 districts, all working to foster peace and reconciliation in the country.</div>
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<br />On Monday, August 13, Prashan was recognized by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth, as a Commonwealth Point of Light. This prestigious award honours inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the differences they made to their communities and beyond. Prashan is Sri Lanka’s 2nd Commonwealth Point of Light and the 65th globally to receive the award.At present SLU has six reconciliation centres in Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, Kalmunai, Mullaitivu, Puttalam and Matara for young leaders to engage each other and have discussions on promoting peace. The organization also helps youth find employment and higher education opportunities bringing growth and prosperity to their communities.</div>
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Humbled and honoured to receive the award Prashan chuckles, “I was the one who took the picture when Kushil Gunasekera received the first Point of Light award.”</div>
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But he adds, “ none of us in the movement are doing our line of work to get recognized.”</div>
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Hailing from Gampaha, Prashan is a past pupil of Wesley College and credits his family and school for fuelling the flames of his passionate work. “My parents from a very young age always opened our home to anybody,” he shares. When he was young, his parents opened an orphanage so he had “many brothers and sisters” growing up. “They always made sure I didn’t ever look down on a person based on ethnicity, religion, financial status, their ability to speak English or not,” he says.</div>
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Receiving a scholarship to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in international affairs at Gordon College, Boston, Prashan was able to study urban communities and the indicators of what creates cycles of poverty and violence.</div>
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“When you go to a foreign university you sometimes feel like the outsider,” he states. Proactive by nature, Prashan counteracted the loneliness by thinking of those who suffered more than him. “How can I help them out?”he repeatedly states throughout our conversation.</div>
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Bridging barriers wasn’t easy. Not being invited to others’ homes, he invited friends into his dorm through his newly acquired skill of – cooking! “I hadn’t cooked a day in my life in Sri Lanka,” he chuckles “but I started by skyping my mother and watching her.” People got to know him better over a meal and during his four year stint at college “I felt like I had cooked for 500 people,” he laughs.</div>
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But Prashan has also been on the other side of discrimination. After the death of his friend’s father in the World Trade Centre bombing in ’97 he honestly proclaims “I remember feeling so frustrated.” Sixteen years old at the time, he recalls going through radical assumptions that everyone in the North was a terrorist.</div>
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However his new neighbour, a boy from Vavuniya changed his perspective. “He was a year older than I and was interested in joining the LTTE so his parents sent him to school in Colombo.” “I was very hostile to him as he was to me,” he states laughing“but we still played cricket together. I changed my thinking to, ‘everyone else is bad but this one is ok’.” Joining his new friend on a leadership training mission in the North, Prashan recalls seeing children as young as 13 being recruited in the war – some willingly, some forced.</div>
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His emotional experience coupled with the research he did for his final year bachelor’s thesis ‘reconciliation in a world of conflict’ made Prashan “really think”. Coming back to the country in 2008 he organized groups from the North and South to say 10 things about each other. “Nine out of the 10 were always negative although they had never met. At that time we found that 70% of Sri Lankan youth didn’t have a friend outside their ethnicity or religion but they had many opinions about them.”</div>
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Prashan comments that roughly 96% of students today study in their own medium of language making them unable to speak with a person from another ethnicity.</div>
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SLU emerged as a means to start a conversation. Conferences took place in Jaffna, Galle, Kalmunai, Kurunegala etc. Advertised as the Future Leaders Conference where the best and brightest in Sri Lanka come together, Prashan happily recalls the positive response to the programme.</div>
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SLU was able to strategically divide the young participants by ethnicity, race and religion engaging them in sports, discussion etc. By cheering for the same team and sharing grievances the young learnt quickly that “everyone suffered in the war” Prashan comments.</div>
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Back home, SLU picked a leader to represent their school urging others to join his/her club and partnering them with another school from a different ethnicity. The students stayed in touch, visiting each other and even staying at each other’s homes some even going on to change their parents prejudices.</div>
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But why young people? To this Prashan responds, “It’s very difficult to teach someone who has lived and breathed something for 20 to 30 years. Young people learn and absorb change better. They have built their opinions based on inherited opinions so you can give them a positive experience,” he feels. “If you want reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka you need a generation to work at it.”</div>
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Women leaders were a big emphasis for Prashan. “Women need to be part of the negotiating table,” he states adding that they add more advantages to peace building.</div>
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Prashan has four indicators for success. Firstly breaking the cycle of violence which has dogged this country for over 30 years, resulting in a needless loss of life.</div>
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The second is creating a better understanding among communities. “At the moment we can’t even imagine a president, prime minister or parliamentarian getting voted by people predominantly outside their ethnicity or religion,” he states, “people will vote for their crook but we want people voting for the good.”</div>
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“I want my son to grow up in a country he can be proud of” Prashan smiles counting a success if conflict could be spoken about in the past tense. And lastly Prashan hopes that every Sri Lankan one day sees themselves as a “first class citizen regardless of their differences.”</div>
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With SLU “we’re building a proactive, independently thinking, engaging generation,” he shares. “Violence has been seen as a sign of manhood, as a sign or protection,” he explains adding that SLU projects “that violence is a lack of intelligence, a lack of capacity to think independently and a lack of maturity.” Steps taken towards reconciliation will also further benefit Sri Lanka to be seen as a country good for foreign investments.</div>
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SLU has been expanded to become Global Unites, including several countries from all around the world aimed at building peace and reconciliation among nations. The movement will also be hosting an investor ‘shark tank’ of sorts in Sri Lanka in the coming months where students from all over the country will be able to present their business proposals to investors who will help finance and mentor them.</div>
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Citing the case of a girl who has opened her own bicycle repair shop in Monaragala as one of the many bi-products of SLU, he says, “We make them employable and give them opportunities to let them know that they are supported.”</div>
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“We’ve done maybe 5% of what we’re supposed to do,” he shares hoping that his story will encourage others to help their community. “Community service isn’t about taking a selfie and posting it on social media saying ‘oh look at me I’m a nice person’, community service has to be strategic and have a long term effect. You don’t need to know my name. You don’t need to know who I am. But you need to know what we can do for this country.”</div>
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What continues to motivate his work? “The job’s not done,” he affirms, smiling “we’re just getting started.”</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;">For more information check www.srilankaunites.org and www.globalunites.org</span></em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><a href="http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180826/magazine/getting-the-young-ones-involved-in-fostering-peace-307605.html">http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180826/magazine/getting-the-young-ones-involved-in-fostering-peace-307605.html</a></i></b></span></span></div>
</div>
Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-83997466124102332292018-07-22T11:31:00.001-07:002018-07-22T11:32:14.169-07:00Learnings for SLU from WUSC Sri Lanka_Women Friendly Cities Challenge<br />
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On the 17th of July, Sri Lanka Unites took part in a workshop
hosted by the National Chamber of Commerce and WUSC Sri Lanka<o:p></o:p></div>
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This was a great learning for the two female participants who
represented SLU at the event. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Key messages <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The discussions at the event were centered around women
employment and engaged in industrial occupations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The key message of the panel was encouraging women participation
in sectors such as local government, hospitality, engineering, and other
industries that may significantly low numbers of women employees, based on
their observations. The panel also shared that industries such as education and
health women show relatively better rates of participation unlike their
contribution to sectors the political sectors, noting that Sri Lanka is ranked
at 109 out of 144 countries in the Global Gender Gap, compiled by the World
Economic Forum in 2017. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While introducing the status of women engagement in employment,
the forum discussed the principles of women friendly cities. A woman friendly
city should ideally consist of elements such as <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->safe transport for women, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->education, <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->health care, <o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->high quality and comprehensive urban services.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Women must also have access mechanisms to guarantee the
fulfillment of their right, if <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>subjected
to violence. A key recommendation in terms of increasing new channels of
political engagement on the issue is to encourage local governments woman’s
issues and perspectives into account when planning and decision making.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Learning for Sri Lanka
Unites<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The session was an interesting learning point for Sri Lanka Unites.
We currently conduct Diploma courses for upto 500 youth per year, at 5
educational hubs in 5 provinces. The diploma courses are provided
free-of-charge to young people who cannot afford expenses of any other means of
education after their alevels. The courses are in English Language , ICT and
Entrepreneurship. The centers are named “Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation
Centers”, which provide peace-building education while students study their
courses, producing well rounded, productive citizens who advocate for peace and
harmony in their communities while contributing to uplift its economy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Since introducing the courses in 2012 in Mullaitivu, followed by
hubs in Matara, Kalmunai, Moneragala and Nuwara-eliya, many students have
secured white-collar jobs or started their own businesses. Sri Lanka Unites is
keen to use the learnings from this session to encourage our female students at
each center to enter the sectors which lack women participation. We strive to
introduce mentorship on these particular sectors to our students as part of
their training, so they would pick-up additional skills and be ready to
contribute to specific sectors of the workforce when they graduate from the SLU
Reconciliation Centers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i><br /></i></b></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i><br /></i></b></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i><br /></i></b></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Students
attending lectures on </i></b></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>English Language, ICT and </i></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>Entrepreneurship studies </i></b></b><b><b><i>(above)</i></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>and sitting for exams at the</i></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>end of 6 months (left) to</i></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>obtain a diploma
certificate </i></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b><i>(below).</i></b></b></div>
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<br />Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-72871161226249327682018-07-03T04:43:00.000-07:002018-07-03T04:43:23.108-07:00"Counter-radicalization; conversations that work- observations by Sri Lanka Unites"<br />
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> SLU at the “International
Conference on Trends in Youth Radicalization in South Asia” </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In June this year, Sri Lanka Unites was honored to be given an
opportunity to share lessons learnt from our work with youth peace building at
the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“ International Conference
on Trends in Youth Radicalization in South Asia”</span></b><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>organized by the Regional Center for Strategic
Studies (RCSS) and Global partnership for the prevention of Armed Conflict
(GPPAC). We thank RCSS, GPPAC and especially UNOY (United Network for Young
Peace-builders) for giving us a platform to share our learnings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Since the conference was on tends in youth radicalization, the
following points were presented by Neluni Tillekeratne, Co-National Director of
Sri Lanka Unites at this event as comments to support the conversation. The
points which were raised on behalf of SLU at the event are elaborated in this
blogpost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></h2>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Upon understanding
reasons for youth radicalization, SLU tried and tested three catalysts for reconciliation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The transformative process of a racist student is one which we
have been studying for a while now, and we have invested a lot of time
understanding what it really takes for a young person to reconcile along ethnic
and religious lines. In Sri Lanka where the war ravaged across the country for
three decades, it is not surprising that Reconciliation does not happen
overnight. Based on our experience, there are numerous factors that we must be
cautious about when designing modules on peace building for young people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The following
are three factors that facilitate counter-radicalization. Young people are less
prone to be radicalized when the following three factors are experienced and
understood<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Closure through
forgiving and being forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is extremely important for SLU to share this belief of ours
with everyone because we do believe that forgiveness should be mainstreamed as
a crucial pillar of youth reconciliation. SLU has been practicing this approach
since 2007 and it is by far one of the most powerful turning points in a young
person’s journey towards healing and reconciliation. In our experience, we see
that forgiving another community for what they have done to your community,
while simultaneously asking forgiveness for what your community has done to
theirs in the past gives young people new hope and a blank slate to start with.
Its easier said that done, requiring hours of very deep, reflective, emotional
conversations, but it is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SLU
facilitates these conversations at events throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In the context of
Sinhalese and Tamil youth, after the war, we observed observed that the act of
forgiveness becomes some sort of a “truce”, that the older generation failed to
come to. However, the inclusion of forgiveness in as an approach to reconciliation
does not by any means undervalue or ignore the need for conversations on
justice, unanswered questions or addressing on-going grievances. Forgiveness is
observed as a means of merging two groups of young people into agreement,
giving them a platform off which they could launch to take up each others
causes and do what they can to correct the faults and mistakes of the previous
generation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The next most important factor is for young people <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is to understand the manner in which
identity politics fuels conflict<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We have observed that a vast majority of young people urgently
need to learn how to read politics better and to understand for themselves, of
the spill over of politics into religious and ethnic conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We explain to young people how many atrocities
and injustices in the past are rooted in the power struggles of politicians and
not in the genuine hate of one community towards, another. This is also where
we bring in an element if inter-generational dialogue where the older community
explains the history of our conflict, by analyzing the role of politicians in
brewing it. When young people come to understand the role of political
influence in politics, it allows them to breakdown stereo types and prejudices
that they hold against an entire group of people just because they mistrust
politicians who represent this group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Original cartoonist unknown)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The third factor <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is when
they envision a future together and see the possibilities of shared economic prosperity<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Reconciliation
among youth is extremely different to how older people reconcile, based on our
observations in Sri Lanka. We believe, the older generations looks at
memorialization and the need for justice as a core-requirement for
reconciliation while youth, especially the vast majority in rural areas, seek
the assurance of security as they move into the future They question if their
counter parts of the same age, of other ethnic/religious groups, could ensure
and promise to never allow Sri Lanka to go back into a dark era of conflict We
do believe that young people want to trust other young people, and this trust
is where hope stems from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Racist young people of all religious and ethnic groups share
their believes with us. Racist students fear that they are in competition with
other racial/religious groups for economic success. They find reason to block
the economic prosperity of others given their own insecurities for the future.
The rising cost of living in Sri Lanka fuels young people, who in many
instances are bread winners for their families, to find someone to blame.
Politicians allow the blame to be transferred to other groups instead of to the
government.</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When SLU was faced with this question, we tested out envisioning
activities. After many years, we confirm that when young people envision a
future where all proper and thrive, they are far less prone to radicalization.
Once we show them the possibilities of a future with shared prosperity and
encourage different groups to prosper by working together instead of against
each other, their hope is renewed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#353535'>Quick overview of SLU outreach since 2007<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>
<span style='font-size:
10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#353535'>Since 2007, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>
<![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:#353535'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#353535'>SLU has engaged
with over 100,000 young people from absolute grassroots communities of all
25 districts of the country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>
<![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:#353535'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#353535'>We are present
in 6 provinces, 1 head office in Colombo and 5 provincial centers called
“Reconciliation Centers”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;
mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>
<![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:#353535'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#353535'>SLU currently
engages with over 1000 young people to discuss the cause of peace-building,
every month.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast align=center style='margin-left:.25in;
mso-add-space:auto;text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:
none;text-autospace:none'>
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text-autospace:none'>
<span style='font-size:10.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#353535'>Through all our
activities, we bring young people between he ages of 16 and 29 from all
diverse backgrounds, especially from all ethnic and religious groups
together, and take them through a transformative process of reconciling
with other groups, based on the hate they carry in their hearts when they
first meet us. </span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#353535'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Written by<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Neluni Tillekeratne<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Co-National Director<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">June 2018<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-76016489414021640652018-05-02T04:29:00.003-07:002018-05-03T22:30:41.639-07:00SLU's take on a Youth & Peace Policy - shared at NYS 2018<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixE5tE04HVFBTloSGK1Zj-ffvWTgupRVct1YG2UrIWS4zFUwCq0EnygjU8M5ky1FnB5j9EqyT-K9grdWyzxSrbz31d-xoy7mqEJABFDmmWcz6dy-pE86vprd1u7ffGa89VO8IZFjSFMgc/s1600/nel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="640" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixE5tE04HVFBTloSGK1Zj-ffvWTgupRVct1YG2UrIWS4zFUwCq0EnygjU8M5ky1FnB5j9EqyT-K9grdWyzxSrbz31d-xoy7mqEJABFDmmWcz6dy-pE86vprd1u7ffGa89VO8IZFjSFMgc/s320/nel2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">SLU
at NYS2018</span></b></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">On the 21st of April 2018. Sri Lanka Unites was happy to be part of a </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">panel
discussion during the 2nd National Youth Summit organized by Sri Lanka
Development Journalists Forum.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The theme of the forum was to be a Dialogue for
Peace and Sustainable Development.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">
</span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">Supporting the
dialogue on a policy for youth and peacebuilding<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">SLU believes that this discussion and
forum is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>timely initiative for a
platform of this nature to be set up and we are also excited about the
possibility of the push for a youth and peace-building policy. SLU
believes youth and peace building does deserve attention through a
policy We are convinced that the investment is worth it, for national
security, for economic development, environmental sustainability and many other
factors. Sri Lanka sees a cycle of violence every 18 years, where young people
are radicalized, blood is shed, and just as we feel feel we have taken one step
forward, we take 10 steps back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">We need young people to pledge that
mistakes of the past, where violent conflict was resorted to as an approach to
solving communal issues, won’t be repeated again, as we all work towards shared
prosperity. In our experience, youth who are trained to see life through a
peacebuilding lens, automatically start seeing injustices in the economic
system /political system/ social structures in day to day life. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">Since there are many groups addressing the topic now with a
favorable political climate, we believe this policy really is an important
investment of time and effort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">Sri Lanka Unites is an Implementing organization and we have
worked under the radar for a long time because of political uncertainty. We
feel a policy would ensure that neither SLU or any other peacebuilding
community would have to function under the radar again, so we do endorse and
support this idea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">The following points were recommendations shared by SLU at the
panel discussion. We hope these recommendations would be utilized when drafting
the details of the policy. The recommendations stem from 11 years of challenges
faced by SLU in the youth and peace-building space. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We hope the challenges we have faced with our
work would also be used to justify the need for a policy on youth and peace
building.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">Three challenges faced
by SLU which should be addressed through the policy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 14px;">T</span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">he first key challenge is </span><b style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">understanding
exactly what it takes for a young person to reconcile</b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> and acknowledging
that peace-building requires consistent, tough conversations</span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">We believe that that reconciliation
does not happen overnight. Each year we host a 5 day long residential conference,
and we know for a fact that this is only the beginning of a young persons journey
into reconciliation. We have observed that it takes a very long time for
someone to truly and fully be accepting of another ethnic group, given the
reality of our past and present . We also however genuinely believe that it
is possible for a young person to reconcile despite the time it
takes. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">In the process of transforming a young
person, we are challenged to always be mindful of the complexities
of human emotions. We were challenged to understand how young people questions
the ethnic and religious conflict over time</span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">As they grow older, new questions keep
coming up, making young people reconsider their stance on reconciliation. For
11 years, SLU has been studying the transformational process of young people
and what we feel is there is a need to have young people engaged in tough, open
conversations, systematically throughout their years as young adults, where
they solidify how they view the world and other ethnic groups.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">If we are to see young people truly
transform we challenge ourselves to strategically plan out how we engage our
students, without letting them go after just one program. So they continuously
engage with us in deeper conversations as they get older. SLU has tested this
out and designed programs that engage young people consistently for over a
period of a year or two with guide-books, school relation tours and social
action projects. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">So in terms of the policy</span></b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">, we hope it will consider looking at
youth transformation strategically, starting from the time they are in school,
preferably even though technically they aren’t youth, right unto age
29 where they are constantly and systematically engaged with the topic. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"> The second
challenge is that youth peace-building <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">cannot
not be achieved by just investing in youth.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX3OBN09HNjdv33w4kdJd-hvWR-nIuwIlgGV_tggNVYn53c6-73rz1uUEDY_kXqwfZzdZ0andvAa5arY-zW9MQfuswLQtKJy3UnkZrbFvMipopde0KEFFt-ELX-qfwB_0ofgXv68TfGFW/s1600/nel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1125" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX3OBN09HNjdv33w4kdJd-hvWR-nIuwIlgGV_tggNVYn53c6-73rz1uUEDY_kXqwfZzdZ0andvAa5arY-zW9MQfuswLQtKJy3UnkZrbFvMipopde0KEFFt-ELX-qfwB_0ofgXv68TfGFW/s320/nel4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">SLU has engaged with over 300 schools and over 20 universities
in the country, but we know that investing in just the young person is not
enough. Teachers/principals/parents are all a part of it. Young people are
energized at our conference's, but are demotivated from engaging with the
conversation once they go back to their schools with principals and teachers
who do not understand the value of reconciliation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">SLU countered this barrier by setting up a vibrant <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SLU Teacher’s Department</b> for teachers
in-charge of SLU clubs at schools. The teachers act as middle men between the
students and the principal, and also the parents. This investment was critical
to ensure engagement with schools. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We
hope the policy would carefully address these barriers. </b>We hope the policy
could cover the need to invest in these stakeholders as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><b>3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;"> The third challenge is the need for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">youth mentors</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 10.5pt;">SLU has observed that once a young person accepts the message of
peace building and chooses to reconcile, they are less prone to relapsing when
they have a youth mentor, preferably a few years older than them, to look upto.
Young people in Sri Lanka don’t have mentors to discus their grievances
anywhere in the education system. Through SLU, students who engaged with us
have access to trained mentors who were taught to stay in touch with students
after conferences and just be their friend. We have seen incredible results. Ex
when there is communal tension, the students first instinct is to ask the SLU
mentor to explain why tensions take place. The mentors take time to explain to
the student of how not to generalize an ethnic group or religious groups based on
the actions of a few. This has been an effective buffer because their is
constant reinforcement by someone they look unto. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We hope the policy in discussion would consider addressing this
challenge as well. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-77088845831294756702018-01-18T23:56:00.001-08:002018-01-19T00:43:09.323-08:00SLU FLC 9 - A Powerful Reflection from Akkaraipattu<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 9<sup>th</sup> Future
Leaders Conference of Sri Lanka Unites was held in December 2017. Youth Engagement in Governance, Breaking the
cycle of violence, Transitional Justice and Reconciliation were the themes of
this conference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Over the last 10 years of SLU,
the greatest motivation for staff and volunteers of the organization to keep
committing our efforts for the cause has been the powerful <b>post-conference
feedback</b>. We would like to share an excerpt of a note sent to us from a
participant, after the conference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following is a reflection from Fawaz Ameer from Akkaraipattu<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before this conference I have heard about SLU but not what they
are about. So I had no idea what is going to happen at the Future Leaders’
Conference before I got there. I decided to join SLU after the workshop done by
the Kalmunai Reconcilation Center of SLU.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINlwp9Uuhi_PqitjPh9oYO5WP-H000rVhkhZ2yevbG2X2RJobYkAYxgaXZBTo66PQ9yAsUGYGaqd67PiPEIlvlPp2ekvdO4B5nXYdt4U692L0a-ihlZMfcOeMCY70CVpaGeIZVl1I53GU/s1600/1st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="815" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINlwp9Uuhi_PqitjPh9oYO5WP-H000rVhkhZ2yevbG2X2RJobYkAYxgaXZBTo66PQ9yAsUGYGaqd67PiPEIlvlPp2ekvdO4B5nXYdt4U692L0a-ihlZMfcOeMCY70CVpaGeIZVl1I53GU/s320/1st.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was very nervous when I got registered at the conference
and entered my assigned room. Im bit shy to move around with new people, but I
always wanted to be a good friend to everyone and wanted to meet new people.</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I entered my room a Sinhala friend welcomed me and gave me
some sweet snacks. I was little afraid to receive it because I had a mindset
that Sinhala people look at us as enemies. He again told me to take it. So I
took some.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqEPsvsfyWEU29B0TEgmaFHbnC7AEBvt5BfpunDyZDDZPo2jul8hnnf9H6KcLtqHOEiKnVrhNM8WNGZIY8IICXH4CEgqqUEp_Qsj5mm9uxS1OShnYse4XEk3-oZ8Cn_Vjc7bcpDnwKQCK/s1600/Quest+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="679" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqEPsvsfyWEU29B0TEgmaFHbnC7AEBvt5BfpunDyZDDZPo2jul8hnnf9H6KcLtqHOEiKnVrhNM8WNGZIY8IICXH4CEgqqUEp_Qsj5mm9uxS1OShnYse4XEk3-oZ8Cn_Vjc7bcpDnwKQCK/s320/Quest+web.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After that I went to opening ceremony with my </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">f</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">riends,</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">we were divided into teams and I met my new team members.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I stood alone behind the team
members because I </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">was very shy at that moment. Our team mentors were introduced
to us and they taught us a simple cheer- we started to cheer for our new formed
team. Still I was little shy to shout in front of strangers, so I kept quiet.
After that we played the train game and the rope game so we all got introduced
to each other. Only few of them remembered the names of all team mates. Me and
some other guys couldn’t remember all the names. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After that we went to have dinner and went to bed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day we had our breakfast and went for the morning
session.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Most of the participants </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">didnt </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">talk to each other but this change when we started </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">playing games.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">We started to talk with each other. Cheered for
them by shouting their names. We wished everyone even when they failed at a
game. The best thing of that evening game session was, everyone tried beyond
their abilities to get points for the team by winning our matches. I thought to
myself “each and every team mate is supporting and believing in me, so I should
get them some points.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> I should not disappoint them". When the mentors
asked for our thoughts after the games everyone replied the same. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLaGNzZsjOgnqN0Ze60ilMPBwqg3XXNbZrWiKXLuWCUAVUPP47YlVcfdsWmp9Xznqj_xmfQZ7QLKacdYdAA_4kBxsoI-zu9VshIiBLy5KV8bTvbrPIRcVvgxR5rYLv81DFisuuSe4v4VC/s1600/Team+per.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="680" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLaGNzZsjOgnqN0Ze60ilMPBwqg3XXNbZrWiKXLuWCUAVUPP47YlVcfdsWmp9Xznqj_xmfQZ7QLKacdYdAA_4kBxsoI-zu9VshIiBLy5KV8bTvbrPIRcVvgxR5rYLv81DFisuuSe4v4VC/s320/Team+per.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had a team challenge for *SLU TV* where we had to
prepare a drama at the end of each day about what we learnt that day. It was
like adrenaline to us for those 3 days. It brought the best out of us in a
critical situation because we had only a small amount of time after our games
to perform about what we learned throughout the day. This was a special
experience for me. When we discussed about SLU TV on the first day, I was
amazed seeing that people coming with different and amazing ideas. For the
first time, we all discussed with each other about what we are going to
perform. It made us more closer and that was the day I shared my thoughts and
ideas with others.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The unbelievable thing is, they appreciated my idea. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For the
first time in my life, my idea was appreciated by the people who I have never
met before. Because sometimes if I get a new idea and tell it to my friends or
parents, only few of them will support me and others will make fun of me.</span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLaGNzZsjOgnqN0Ze60ilMPBwqg3XXNbZrWiKXLuWCUAVUPP47YlVcfdsWmp9Xznqj_xmfQZ7QLKacdYdAA_4kBxsoI-zu9VshIiBLy5KV8bTvbrPIRcVvgxR5rYLv81DFisuuSe4v4VC/s1600/Team+per.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No
one ever tried to make my ideas and thoughts better by helping me and no one
ever helped me to execute my ideas. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But in *FLC* my team mates made my ideas
better with the help of all the team members. They came front to execute each
and everyone’s ideas and thought. That moment touched my heart. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I decided at
that moment, hereafter I should appreciate others thoughts in my life and
support them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I should come up speak about my thought in the society and
friends circle because someone will be there to join with me and give ideas to
make my thoughts useful and successful.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to SLU for giving me a family beyond religion and
language. We are not a team now but we are a family. *Pirate Family</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZT8Sld5CC6oNfG1wlem83adv7B5O0cIQJk-bgbyA1nrqELIga4gMPYCTgUv0FM6Xs3Yg_fLbMraEniFtBjSNIIe-K51rnGccTK3ElEdjb4_qhNO0JnCkfqZiCKcu5YZaIYG8Fzo1Pdqj/s1600/Pirate+Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="823" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZT8Sld5CC6oNfG1wlem83adv7B5O0cIQJk-bgbyA1nrqELIga4gMPYCTgUv0FM6Xs3Yg_fLbMraEniFtBjSNIIe-K51rnGccTK3ElEdjb4_qhNO0JnCkfqZiCKcu5YZaIYG8Fzo1Pdqj/s320/Pirate+Team.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the conference, I had a chat
with my close family about Sri Lankan communities. He argued against other ethnic
groups, about the *Re-emergence function* in the north, and the *Sinhala -
Muslim clash* , *1983 clash* and much more. He had wrong opinion about these
clashes. As a person who participated in the *FLC* I applied what I was taught
in there. The thing I applied is *<b>breaking
the cycle</b> <b>of hate</b>*. You know
what?, it really worked. And I was so happy even I can build some peace and
understanding in my family. If a single person can do this, what if we all get
together?. So I have decided to work till the end with *SLU* to change my
country.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white;">I always wanted to say *IM a
SRILANKAN * .</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvEviKvNv6H2TItJ2sJ0hGMLoShwiTycRDs3dATU8vkPuWhgUzuk0I8JQpvHWgp9lXrjsI3WCXi35YzBmrbhHaowGrAbSgPgLGI37lvw-wFBCvaekH4CAiytVOVLOdZdQiBN2iBXiiAlk/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2018-01-17+at+7.40.52+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="612" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvEviKvNv6H2TItJ2sJ0hGMLoShwiTycRDs3dATU8vkPuWhgUzuk0I8JQpvHWgp9lXrjsI3WCXi35YzBmrbhHaowGrAbSgPgLGI37lvw-wFBCvaekH4CAiytVOVLOdZdQiBN2iBXiiAlk/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2018-01-17+at+7.40.52+PM.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I was little afraid to say
these days because some people say Muslims are outsiders. They don’t belong
here. But I realized not everyone is like that. The family I got in this
conference had Sinhala and Hindu friends. But not even one person hated because
of our religion or our language. They just looked and took care of us like
their own brothers and sisters. And we realized that youth is the only way to
change our country. We had a discussion about these things in our rooms in
conference days. A big thanks to *SLU* for giving us this opportunity to
move around with the people beyond religion and language and gave us a mindset
that <b>*Change is on its way*</b></span> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Sri Lanka Uniteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954665680861140597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-86690992382017725942017-08-23T05:23:00.001-07:002017-08-23T05:23:22.588-07:00My Journey with Sri Lanka Unites…<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWMmUCc0xbBDhb57uc-tRVtNwwINjCuy4VRMpLwls3AaMxZxrkSKsvXItW4YOXLPSdatw9BJ2D5CfQO7IXj1aN0igWqzzmjW6mP9mL9hFNwWEPJmFsDhDl_Iyu-02s6p_VQjCA0D_2MVE/s1600/jenojitha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWMmUCc0xbBDhb57uc-tRVtNwwINjCuy4VRMpLwls3AaMxZxrkSKsvXItW4YOXLPSdatw9BJ2D5CfQO7IXj1aN0igWqzzmjW6mP9mL9hFNwWEPJmFsDhDl_Iyu-02s6p_VQjCA0D_2MVE/s1600/jenojitha.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m Jeyaseelan Jenogitha from
Mulliyawalai, Mullaitivu. I’m in the final year of my studies at the University
of Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce. Upon
completion, I had planned to get some experience and knowledge somewhere. But
suddenly I got to know about the Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Center
Mulliyawalai, Mullaitivu through my friends, so I thought joining this center would
enhance my skills and experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were the first batch of students from
the Reconciliation Center Mulliyawalai. My first involvement with SLU started
in 2013 and it was a life changing experience for me. I’m very much thankful to
HSBC for providing me the sponsorship to get a free education through SLU. I
had already completed my Diploma in Professional English Programme-2013 and
Diploma in Information Technology with E-Commerce by Esoft Metro Campus. At
that stage these courses were very much helpful to improve my English Knowledge
and IT skills. We have a lack of resources to get this knowledge in our region so
I hope this knowledge will improve my career and my University studies as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During that time, some of us got the
opportunity to participate in the Sri Lanka Unites’ Future Leaders Conference-5
that took place in Galle. This was the best opportunity of my life because it
was the first opportunity that I had to work with people from different
backgrounds in Sri Lanka. This helped me to have a better understanding of how
people are in the real world apart from my imagination. My previous thoughts
changed as a result of my experience at the FLC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I learned
about reconciliation, leadership, and how to respect and to accept the values
and traditions of different people in Sri Lanka which is important for a person
from a diverse country. The leadership qualities that I learned from SLU are
helping me in my day to day activities. I’m so thankful to SLU for providing me
this opportunity. In addition to that, some of us got another chance to follow
the Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy- Certificate level program in Colombo. This
was a different experience to improve our Personality skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the more than one and a half years of
my journey with SLU, I have met so many different people with different
characteristics, who are still role models in my life. Through them I have
obtained a wealth of good advice, technical skills, communication skills,
languages skills and so much more. These benefits have led me to make better
decisions in my life and career and I believe that will continue. I even had
the opportunity to work for SLU for 6 months as a kid’s program trainer. This
was a very nice experience to have with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SLU gave me a platform to start my University
Studies in Colombo, and now I feel very thankful to SLU because if I had not
joined the Reconciliation Center, I would have lost many amazing opportunities
and experiences. I hope in the future to contribute in various ways to the
success of this Reconciliation Center in Mulliyawalai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to thank the management of the SLU for
establishing this Reconciliation Center in our region, because they provide
opportunities for youth in our community to improve their English, IT and entrepreneurship
skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to express my gratitude to the
management of SLU and to all who have engaged with SLU. I’m proudly saying that
you are the people who have helped us achieve our goals and have helped us to
stay in a good position in society.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-4733673886742403182017-07-13T08:02:00.003-07:002017-07-21T01:51:50.271-07:00Public Campaign Against Racism and Social Experiment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://srilankaunites.org/assets/eka-men-samadena.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_08nE-fh2hGfSgFkqtBsZwh5CfipDcqbTvIw2xCwVDBP960-nmjaXDSpif3dJzIvPv6mrS08wjsjQ5CB5bo6JYa3jH5LN50W8Z54Ea3P3fmzDyUnzFLFvIFF3ZpEh5ggBzqd6YsAj_g-/s400/ema.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Eka men samadena' a public campaign against racism was held in the central province on the 27th of March in 2016. The campaign was organized by Sri Lanka Unites school chapters of Republican International School Nuwara-Eliya and Zahira College Matale. The project was supported and directed by the 'Champions of Change' department of the organization.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The students used the campaign as an opportunity to engage with the general public and have conversations with them on their views of racism in Sri Lanka. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was encouraging to see young and old, Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim Sri Lankans support the cause.A signature board for pledges by the public to stand against racism in Sri Lanka filled up within just an hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The campaign, however, was not meant to be just an event but a social experiment to understand the impact of such campaigns in countering racism. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://bit.ly/2vHtW8m" target="_blank">Watch the Video Here!</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://srilankaunites.org/assets/eka-men-samadena.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here to Read the full Article!</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-57563941201222758982015-11-09T12:15:00.001-08:002015-11-09T12:17:08.425-08:00Heroes to Remember<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is a picture of a student leader who resides in Mulaithivu,
who has been a part of Sri Lanka Unites for over 2 years as a volunteer and now
as a staff member. He comes from an ordinary family with enough resources to
survive. His life was directly affected by the brutality of war having to live
in refugee camps half of his life, with minimum facilities. Family means
everything to him, having to be his mom’s favourite son is a privilege
according to him. Even though life has settled down with minimum chaos comparing
to what it was back then during the war, bitter memories still haunt him every
now and then. Beneath this handsome smile in his face there is a glimpse of
hurt that cannot be settled overnight. Family that he lost during the war
cannot be brought back to life. However, given these challenging circumstances,
he strongly believes in his vision of being an agent for change has helped him to realize how
important peace is for the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nitharshan has been a key member of the Dream team 5, having
the background of personal experience to share about war has been an important
learning journey for everyone in the team. His energy and his outgoing personality
was an important inclusion for the team to reach out to many communities. As
the team went across the island found many leaders like Nitharshan, who were directly
affected by war, now having the ability to live a normal-peaceful life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbko2dvVIVOqbbJgWMMOqPqk0i3rtvogZ7HPxVFpWpvrF0YUXqK7BsKINAfCWGvbGfqJ4FZy3U_T0MGX-ZtuIaJciJYEg0tAZi-jjkfKMnUHRGp0OBaqeDFlfaagDikv6im5VD9TK_ZLA/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbko2dvVIVOqbbJgWMMOqPqk0i3rtvogZ7HPxVFpWpvrF0YUXqK7BsKINAfCWGvbGfqJ4FZy3U_T0MGX-ZtuIaJciJYEg0tAZi-jjkfKMnUHRGp0OBaqeDFlfaagDikv6im5VD9TK_ZLA/s640/DSC_0064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the brutalities and the devastation are easily remembered
as results of the war, it’s important to recognize our heroes, the ordinary
people who survived, having to compromise their livelihood and absorbing so
much loss. Like Nitharshan there are many heroes who are true patriots living a
meaningful and a peaceful life ensuring that there would be no more war in this
country. As we go in this journey of reconciliation, we salute them, the heroes to remember.<o:p></o:p></div>
ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-84189594894011011102015-10-27T12:52:00.002-07:002015-10-27T12:58:29.266-07:00Art for Change<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Peace’ is absence of war, or is it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sri Lanka suffered a brutal war for over 3 decades that
brought the country’s economy and development to a halt. Sri Lankans were
scraping, crawling and fighting for survival but now we have no more war, people
happily enjoy the newly born free country. After six years of no war, yes, it is
peaceful, bombs don’t go off in random directions, No more Military check
points, no more restrictions to move about. But the real question is whether
wounds of the hearts of the people about the past are healed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At present as we know 'development' is a key objective in the country, people are
more focused on earning money and making their children study hard. Thereby the
whole country has not really undergone a process to attain true reconciliation.
This is why social cohesion is a key subject to make certain that the wounds of the
past wouldn’t be reopened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sri Lanka Unites’ initiative of visiting schools and
conducting leadership workshops is a part of addressing this element of social
cohesion through value based leadership. These
workshops consist of understanding war in different perspectives, Leadership
development and effective communication. 20 dynamic young leaders representing
different parts of the island were chosen to facilitate these workshops, who would
share their experiences and their challenges, encouraging students to take
action to various social issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of key areas of envisioning their role in society was by
painting on the canvass, expressing their views on War and Peace. Few key
locations were chosen to present this opportunity to the students, where different
interpretations can be compared to understand whether peace is really absence of war.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q0OeCCxNIVKewcMS35E77vOZDLCVuS_Ksfm8ApnpBOGLJ53-J9hRcRN4gt6xzfnIzzgO9yvUxBp5bFwT-YriEgyLzIjjWUMLgBSbKaldm8kZSJKC5cxszItAaY8wQd7lsqfoujNgVrU/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q0OeCCxNIVKewcMS35E77vOZDLCVuS_Ksfm8ApnpBOGLJ53-J9hRcRN4gt6xzfnIzzgO9yvUxBp5bFwT-YriEgyLzIjjWUMLgBSbKaldm8kZSJKC5cxszItAaY8wQd7lsqfoujNgVrU/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-62631715516646502282015-09-17T15:42:00.002-07:002015-10-29T03:20:48.613-07:00Dream Team 5 School Relation Tour 2015 - Say No to Discrimination - Day #2 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second day First Phase</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Sri Lanka Unites Dream Team 5 headed to Kandy on the 15th of September immediately after their visit to Kegalle on the previous day. The hill city was a huge opportunity to spread the message of reconciliation with the inspiration of youth from our very strong chapter for Sri Lanka Unites, Trinity College. </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The support given to us by Trinity College over the years towards our cause has been very generous and encouraging. As every year the school produces young leaders to inspire through leadership, this year there are two exceptional individuals being part of the Dream Team 5. To recognize and honour the long standing relationship with the school the Principal, Mr. Colin Rathnayake was invited to be the chief guest at the Future Leaders’ Conference held this year in St.Thomas Guruthalawa in Badulla District. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>“Trinity is a school which emphasizes on religious and ethnic unity. We will always be one. Even if we die, we will be one.”</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">-Mr. Colin Rathnayake </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The workshop hosted six other schools in the region along with students of Trinity, which gave the team immense exposure to reach out to spread the message. The workshop was based on value based leadership which was brought about through group activities, talks and forum theatre. During the activities, the students had to take leadership in critical situations and work as a group towards a common motive to be successful at the end.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At first breaking the ice was a challenge as the students weren’t familiar with each-others’ present, as they naturally found it awkward to stand next to or hold hands with a student of another ethnicity or another school, but at the end of the workshop the results were remarkable as they were making easy conversation with each other.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The drama - forum theatre created an amazing response in the audience, as students kept running onto stage to change the outcome through interventions even before the conclusion of the first run through. The situation we showcased had a Muslim girl being oppressed in a university by a Sinhalese individuals surrounded by many onlookers. Mainly the insults were made for the way she looked and the overall muslim identity. The moment when the deal was sealed was when two Muslim girls (one girl wearing a niqaab) chose to defend the victim in a scene of the play. This gave everybody the signal that the message had come across, and that reconciliation will not be ignored by the youth in times of conflict. </span></span></span></div>
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ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-79078511339591433462015-09-15T18:03:00.000-07:002015-09-15T18:03:22.352-07:00Dream Team 5 School Relation Tour 2015 - SL for Peace - Day #1First Day First Phase<br />
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Sri Lanka Unites Dream team tour Begins with a fully pumped up and an enthusiastic Team looking into the opportunity of reaching out to the youth in Kegalle District. Like every year, this years' Dream team 5 also consists of young talented and exceptional leaders representing the districts of Colombo, Matara, Jaffna, Mulaithivu, Kandy, Ampara, Badulla and Puttalam.<br />
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Schools in Kegalle have always been strong supporters of Peace, championing the message of reconciliation since the first Future Leaders' conference in 2009.Thereby it presented an opportunity for SLU to begin the tour with a good 'kick' start.<br />
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The day started early, with a school Assembly at Royal International School Kegalle, addressing the senior school. The agile and receptive crowd received an introduction to SLU and its departments with the motivation it requires to initiate the Champions of Change project proceedings this year.<br />
The director of the school Dr. Newton Peiris commended the efforts of the team and congratulated them on Job well done giving the team the energy required to continue the day with some extra boost.<br />
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Second session started soon after with Kegalle Vidyalaya, where the school hosted 6 more schools on a workshop for Peace and social cohesion where the Dream Team 5 did a solid job to convey the message. For the purpose of drafting a successful workshop the team used various methodologies to keep the sessions more interactive and engaging. Some of the effective methods were experiential learning activities and Forum theatre. The Forum theater, with no surprises, was considered to be the most effective and popular session encouraging youth to take action on social injustices concerning racism and discrimination.<br />
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With positive feedback and upbeat motivation the team now travels to Kandy to inspire the youth in Kandy to promote sustainable Peace for Sri Lanka, which will only be a dream without our youth of the country.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpB1cK0SjcEasVCDW0Ni43uWQcPaTgbjEgcSveUKIqKfY66HivuHx8dx0YlmeO6qN7P7iBBRQPVfkfkaVhmwOE0QSVdPGXGpcERUDBz1Yp7-wyr-l2rU3EAJnmF50YCpm_0I0j5S7JPw/s1600/DSC_0206+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpB1cK0SjcEasVCDW0Ni43uWQcPaTgbjEgcSveUKIqKfY66HivuHx8dx0YlmeO6qN7P7iBBRQPVfkfkaVhmwOE0QSVdPGXGpcERUDBz1Yp7-wyr-l2rU3EAJnmF50YCpm_0I0j5S7JPw/s640/DSC_0206+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 - Workshop at Kegalle Vidyalaya </td></tr>
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<br />ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-57546459576899671602015-09-09T10:26:00.002-07:002015-09-09T10:27:03.887-07:00The Moments that's taught me Lifelong Lessons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 150%;">By Nabeel Marzook (FLC 7 Student),</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;">Even though I
was not directly affected by the 30 years of brutal war, I was deeply disturbed
by the young lives lost, the destruction and the ethnic division and also it
was very disappointing to see some extremist groups sowing the seeds of racism
in the recent past. I always wished things would change and some day we would
be able to live in a united Sri Lanka. I always wondered how beautiful It would
be if we were together as one and I was passionate to make a change, to give my
fullest effort to make a difference. When I came to know about Sri Lanka unites
and all the amazing work they have been doing I have no word to explain how I
felt.</span></div>
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I felt some sort
of energy spring within me to know that there are hundreds of youth like me who
have the same passion to make a change. Since then, I was looking for an
opportunity to be a part of Sri Lanka Unites events and I got the opportunity
through Future Leaders Conference Season7. When I went to the conference, it
seemed like a whole new world to me. It was an amazing sight to see youth from
various parts of the island with different social and ethnic backgrounds
together as one. At the conference I witnessed how much of a manpower and
enthusiasm and passion we have, to make a change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At the
conference we were divided into teams and my team was “Anuradhapura Avengers”.
We had 18 members in our team from different parts of the country with
different backgrounds. It was amazing to see how beautifully we blended
together, despite our differences and that was because we dared to unite, we
wanted to make up the mistakes made in the past. We became one big family
within few days. Through the conference, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of
inspiring people; in fact I learnt something from every person I met during the
conference. I had the opportunity to talk to many Sinhalese and Tamil friends
and learn things that I didn’t know about their culture, I learnt why Tamils
apply vibhuti (Holy ash), I learnt about their foods and festivals, even though
I could speak Sinhala fluently I didn’t know much Sinhala in the past. My
Sinhalese friends helped me learn the Sinhala. Some of the Sinhalese students
in our team were curious as to why Muslims wore caps and asked me if they could
wear it once and I told them it’s perfectly fine for them to wear it and all
these small things like this greatly helped us mutually understand each other
and to clear the misunderstandings we had. I must mention about our mentors, we
had four super cool mentors Kavindya, Archana, Sudeera and Aadhil. To begin
with Kavindi akki, she is a kickass person, a great sport and an interesting
person to hang around with. Sudeera aiyya, he’s very inspiring, experienced and
a person who always motivates us. Archana akki is a calm cool and composed
person, she’s someone you can’t stop loving, and Aadhil is a person with high
spirits who would go any heights to make the team win. The SLU team was just amazing,
they were a cool crew and their works are unbelievable, their unity and their
spirit always motivated us. It was a privilege to work with all these wonderful
people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each and every session,
the icebreakers, and the activities instilled so many values within us. The
guest speakers were enlightening, the interactive sessions were interesting and
the entertainment sessions were at its best! The ice breakers helped us get to
know each other and activities like the human bingo, question web, two truths
and one lie etc. Challenging activities such as trust fall, reach the globe and
blind maze built trust, helped us communicate our ideas and strengthened the
bond among us. We had many interactive sessions and one of them was the one in
which we were asked to list out the grievances faced by the other communities,
it was an opportunity for me to let the other communities know that I cared for
them and I also learnt that they too cared for the grievances that my community
faced. The above mentioned are few of the activities we did and there were so
many other activities which helped us brake the barriers we had. The conference
kept us busy all day and now when I recall the memories, I think we have
managed to do a lot of work at a stretch with any difficulty, which I would
have thought impossible if not for the conference. That’s the spirit we had.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would say I’ve
never had so much fun in all my life. We screamed out whenever we had the
chance shout out for our team and we were barely able speak towards the end of
the conference. I can never forget my team’s chant and our crazy dance
“Umbalakada, Wattakka, Kekiri, Dodan”. We were always together and we were
there for each other. It was heavenly to feel, breathe and live in the Lankan
spirit and I’m always grateful to SLU for those wonderful moments which gave me
goosebumps, brought tears and the moments which united us will forever stay in
my memories. The last day was very emotional. The thought of having to say good
bye to the conference as a whole kept popping in my head the whole day and
finally the moment came and I had bid good bye to my amazing team and that’s
when I realized how much we will be missing each other, how strong our bonds
have grown, how much each and every one of them mattered to me. Every one broke
into tears when we had to say good bye, but we made a promise that we will
always remain a family and I remember every single word each and every one of
us said, that moment was special.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Altogether FLC7
was a life changing experience that taught me lifelong lessons and brought me lifelong
friends. We understood how much of losses we could have avoided had we been
united and pledged that we will never let history repeat itself again. And my
sincere thanks to Team SLU for their effort and amazing work. I hope and pray
that every youth of our nation get the privilege to attend this conference.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-77164291768739719792015-08-31T10:37:00.003-07:002015-09-01T03:52:29.711-07:00Until We Meet Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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By Mohamed Inshaf,</div>
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I always wanted to be part of a
social service organization. Honestly, I had no clue where to go to find one. Nevertheless,
I found a great opportunity to be a part of Future Leaders Conference 2015
organized by Sri Lanka Unites. It was my first ever involvement in their
flagship event. I would like to start with Team SLU; they were filled with
enthusiasm towards this program. Every single one of them are so friendly and I
never felt that I was amongst a set of strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insights I collected in the mentors program
was a major pillar of my FLC-7 journey. I was personally motivated by seeing
the SLU members’ commitment towards the success of this program.</div>
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I was told by many SLU members
that this is going to be an amazing experience. In my own words I’d say it was
definitely a life changing experience!</div>
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On the first day I was given 14
students who represented different districts across the country, also with an
amazing group of co-mentors. Our objective was to simply make them to be good
friends despite the background of their respective school or district or
religion they belonged to or many other innate differences. Then, all of a
sudden a question popped up in my mind “How are we gonna do this in just 5
days?”</div>
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Well, I got the answer by very
next day evening. It just took 1 day to put them all towards aone common goal.
We gathered to put all our differences aside and started working together. The
ice breaking and team building activities were perfect. All those activities
were very effective and I saw how we gained momentum and the progress was
significant to witness the team bonding. The leadership building and
reconciliation session were spectacular. The learning curve was massive. I
personally believe it must have successfully pitched into all students mind and
hearts.</div>
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So far it was all about the
program and now I would like to write few words about learnings and
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally learnt about
how to bring a set of unknown people together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learnt the way of I should speak, react and
answering to their questions. We came together and spoke about many incidents
that happened in our lives. Some students had terrible pasts when we spoke
about war. Some students had wrong opinion on other ethnicities. Some students
did not even like associating certain ethnicities, even to the extent of
despising them.</div>
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One major point that I
acknowledged to them as the reasons, were misguidance, miscommunication and
lack of exposure of other ethnicities. We sat and spoke about all these matters
and once we were done,we all were on the same page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students started respecting, listening and helping
each other, like children of one mother – we bonded like one family. It was an
emotional sight for me. At that same moment I took to step back to imagine how beautiful
it would be if the whole nation becomes like this. Driven with passion, I made
some great friends across all over the country. And I firmly believe, that also
is one of the greatest gifts I seized through this program.</div>
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Then we came to the last day, it
was an emotional one for me and most of my peers. Our Only wish on that day was
another day at the conference! We screamed and pleaded but to no avail.</div>
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It was so strange to be with a
team of unknown students on the first day and how hard it was to say good bye at
the end since we became such good friends-family. Due to some unavoidable
circumstances we had to conclude FLC -7 one day prior and I am pretty sure
everyone would not have expected that to happen. In last couple of hours I
think all were in the peak of their emotional states. Students started to share
their thoughts for one last time. The autographs they wrote, statements they
made, a lot of unspoken words, Tears they shed and this amazing bond will always
be a clear picture in my mind. Every goodbye was so hard for me because I didn’t
want to let the team go as I was their big brother.</div>
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All together it was package of overwhelming
knowledge, life changing experience, lot of new friends and mesmerizing moments
that will last a lifetime. I am very glad that I was part of Future Leaders
Conference 7, 2015. I stepped into this program to change and inspire others,
and I did!also the conference itself changed me see life in a different
perspective a good one I may add. I loved the way it flowed. I’ll always cherish
each moment that I spent in the St. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-82119443752612757962015-08-05T08:00:00.003-07:002015-08-05T08:05:06.240-07:00My Experience with SHOW You Care<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu00XhOrhjChya6TADH216RlwHiaz6mV8wBicHf_lBepf67_UwYhDVKyY4D8OPFm_yIKyhiIsVaSd5EcXMnLoMclrg-CU-EhQ-kP_Xp3oTyMILyAY6hYEzDis3XP_v8VlZs5sDzgLL8Hr/s1600/10448590_10201849301552558_9103881331848378284_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu00XhOrhjChya6TADH216RlwHiaz6mV8wBicHf_lBepf67_UwYhDVKyY4D8OPFm_yIKyhiIsVaSd5EcXMnLoMclrg-CU-EhQ-kP_Xp3oTyMILyAY6hYEzDis3XP_v8VlZs5sDzgLL8Hr/s320/10448590_10201849301552558_9103881331848378284_o.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">As
I work on the table I have claimed in my office, I feel the cool breeze from
the fan up above and the gentle wind from the recent rain shower. My steaming
cup of Dilmah tea soothes and refreshes me as I work on my projects. The SHOW
You Care event is this coming Saturday, and I feel the excitement build as the
team works towards this long-awaited day. Participants start to confirm their
attendance and announcements and reminders about the event flow from everyone’s
lips. SHOW You Care team members continue to swamp Facebook with posts,
pictures, liking, commenting, and then sharing them to all their friend groups.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">I have been living on Sri Lanka’s
resplendent island for the past four weeks, and am so grateful for the love,
hospitality, and safety that I have felt here. But this is not the case for all
young women in Sri Lanka. Since I am an American nineteen-year-old, sometimes
it seems as if I am a little girl who needs to be babysat and who is not
allowed to go anywhere alone. I understand that my hosts are rightfully
cautious and want to make sure I stay safe, but I also understand that not all
young women in Sri Lanka have that security. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Working on the SHOW You Care campaign
has enabled me to learn about a prevalent difficulty that most Sri Lankan women
endure: sexual harassment on public transportation. The most eye opening
experience that I have had while working on this campaign has been creating a video
testimonial over the past couple of weeks. One morning I interviewed several
young women who have experienced sexual harassment on public spaces. These
women shared very personal stories about their encounters with harassment, and
how those made them feel degraded and undervalued. While the extent of my
bothersome experiences with men here has been limited to incessant stares from
men as I drive through Colombo, as a young woman my heart aches for the
countless women who experience extreme harassment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">SHOW
You Care is a setting where issues related to gender based violence can be addressed
in an open forum. SHOW You Care is also a place where men themselves can take
the lead in stopping the harassment and stepping in to protect women. I am so
grateful to be a part of SHOW You Care, and am looking forward to a future
where women can feel safe in Colombo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: right; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Laura
Nagel</span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: right;">
(Intern
for Sri Lanka Unites)<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-42720488043173440792015-06-29T02:32:00.000-07:002015-06-29T02:32:07.239-07:00One of the Best Experiences of My Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SOctT6JxPAownyDI-Oebntu0bbOMar0LleXoVR60_Oa6mvizEic94-3fhkSa_1QCGP4cNGMV40dRUOsRKBDbzx7JWm20vID7ygkQWKe5-XHEtErlrT3abWsaJUHSlZExWpI5MVAKkTZA/s1600/10650016_10152676510791085_492877462393728982_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SOctT6JxPAownyDI-Oebntu0bbOMar0LleXoVR60_Oa6mvizEic94-3fhkSa_1QCGP4cNGMV40dRUOsRKBDbzx7JWm20vID7ygkQWKe5-XHEtErlrT3abWsaJUHSlZExWpI5MVAKkTZA/s320/10650016_10152676510791085_492877462393728982_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
By Dilan Herath,<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">In July of 2014, I ventured to Sri Lanka from
the U.S for a global health seminar. It covered topics ranging from tropical
diseases to social and political reforms. When this ended and I was preparing
to laze around Kandy and Colombo, a cousin had me meet some friends at the Sri
Lanka Unites Headquarters. They mentioned an upcoming conference (Future
Leader’s Conference (FLC)), and I decided to chance orientation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Since I am part of the Sri Lankan diaspora
who knows basic Sinhala and no Tamil, attending orientation alone was awkward. I
was nervous of being passively forsaken for inability to easily communicate in
the local tongues. But before I could even think of withdrawing for kotthu and
EGB, we started an icebreaker. The day’s activities didn’t require abandoning
my comfort zone and we interacted just by having fun! As I became acclimated,
we split into volunteer teams comprising 3-4 people. I was pleased to easily acquaint
Ijaz and Siva. Orientation gave me great expectations for the upcoming
conference with students hailing from all over Sri Lanka.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When the week of reckoning arrived, we were
assigned ~20 students. I was rearing to go until I realized that many knew
Tamil or Sinhala exclusively, while I only communicate well in English. But
given my recent orientation, I trusted the FLC program. We began as strangers having
fun with activities that required minimal verbal communication. Later, via
multilingual members, we talked on deeper levels. We discussed how each person
has been impacted by the 30+ year civil war and the weight that we carry
individually and as ethnic groups. Ultimately, we proved that together we can
overcome past darkness and be the harbingers of a brighter future while we
still bask in the springtime of youth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">After FLC, I visited my new friends in eastern
and northern Sri Lanka. It was amazing to explore these regions to which I otherwise
wouldn’t have been exposed. The Future Leader’s Conference has given me hope
and inspiration for Sri Lankan unity, and I wish to return to continue
strengthening my bonds with all Sri Lankans.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540529841247895721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-46838252020380486832015-06-10T14:22:00.001-07:002015-06-10T14:22:44.594-07:00New Beginnings<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Today is the last day of the summit. The
morning started off with Awista Ayub, the South Asian Regional Director, Seeds of Peace, spoke on the work
she’s been involved in with the organization from 2012-2015. Seeds of Peace work predominantly in the Middle East and Asia. Awista is very honest in her speeches, and, while she
conveyed the amazing work on what Seeds of Peace does, she also spoke about the struggles
which arise to sustain. Her presentation was both insightful and beneficial to the gathering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The delegates then split into their
regional breakout teams and a member from each regions spoke to all the
other groups, sharing the experiences that they possess over the past three
days while discussing the action plans, which have come out of these discussions
and the issues that were discussed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">President of Global Unites, Prashan then addressed the delegates encouraging and explaining how excited and hopeful he was to have a
group of such dedicated, passionate youth from around the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a group photo and some morning tea,
the buses departed for the closing ceremony. It was time to drive to Colombo, saying final goodbye to MIMT.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The buses left </span>at 3.30 pm towards BMICH , where the
closing ceremony was held. We all arrived at BMICH after a long drive to
Colombo. The closing ceremony started with traditional Sri Lankan dance
entering the room, as the delegates arrived closely behind. With all of the
participants from the 5-day summit and local members of the Sri Lanka community;
from highly regarded individuals School chapter members of Sri Lanka Unites to students of Sri Lanka Unites Youth Reconciliation Centre, many gathered for this
closing event making it a locally embraced.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala extended his support while articulating his hope in his keynote address. He said, “we see a bottom up
approach, and now we are seeing a top down approach from the government.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">High Commisioner Geoff Doidge addressed the
crowd saying that he is inspired by the work of Global Unites and Sri Lanka Unites. He affirmed his support at all possible means in the progress of the movement. He was inspired by the people he has met and amazed by the questions he was
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">This was followed by some amazing Baratha
dancing, which is a Tamil cultural dance. It was wonderful to have these
talented dancers a part of the ceremony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Randhir, Kanji and Rajeeva performed for us
all again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Through the ceremony, delegates were
recognized by the countries they come from. Their work and efforts were
highlighted and brought to the attention of the wider world. Interns from Sri Lanka Unites were called upon the stage and recognized for their sweat and toil doing all the ground work for the summit being the hosts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">To end the summit Kanji, Randhi and Rajeeva
sung the song Wavin’ Flag. This ended the inaugural Global Unites Summit for
2015, which is not the end, but the brand new beginning of a journey towards creating a better world of Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-4153778634311183142015-06-08T14:27:00.001-07:002015-06-08T14:27:30.905-07:00Our Time is now<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Another long day has ended at MIMT. With
the same daily structure as the previous two days, we had more panel
discussions, speakers, breakout sessions, food, and entertainment of course! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Today we watched a video footage of Dr. John
Paul Lederach speak about conflict transformation. Following with Ambassador
Jayantha Dhanapala, who has 10 years’ experience working with the UN spoke
about his understandings of conflict transformation. His eloquent nature resonated the vast experience he possess as a diplomat who talked about getting to
a state of permanent peace being like a tripod, “it’s a tripod of security,
development and human rights that helps us to sustain a permanent peace.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day continued with the EC series panel discussion, this time the Global Unites Programme Coordinator Kau Hanmantgad was leading the panel with,
Ned Lazarus and Hannah Simon Girard s each presenting who spoke of implementing strategies, evaluation and compassion. Kau shared
his knowledge on the implementation of strategies. Ned focused on evaluation
and explained it through the work he has done in Palestine-Israel. Lastly,
Hannah spoke very personally about compassion. Hannah informed us that the word
compassion comes from the Latin meaning of co-suffering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">After lunch we had the opportunity to listen to DRC Unites President Pascal, Kenya Unites President Benson and Ramzi SLU National Director on a panel sharing their knowledge and experience with International Alliances.
They each had experiences working with different International Alliances. They
were honest with their information telling us about the negative and positive
outcomes which can arise. But all seemed to have really positive experiences. Ramzi
highlighted that “alliances itself [are] opportunities, but sometimes we fail
to use the opportunity to our advantage. You need to have a clear vision so you
can strategically use the alliances for your benefit.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">After this panel the breakout sessions
were underway, which was the last one of the breakouts for the summit. Once everyone came
back together, people were asked to split into groups of three and with people
from different countries. They had to answer one of these two questions, ‘What
is an immediate action which you will take away from the breakout session and implement?’
The second question was ‘What could Global Unites offer you as you go forward?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The night was ended with some comedy led by
Abel with impromptu theatre, where every one of us thoroughly enjoyed. Tomorrow is declared to be the last day and will keep us going at GU. We’ll be at MIMT until the morning sessions and then we will prepare for closing ceremony. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">by Jasmine Pilrow</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y36uZE3crkzMYe5MID1Ci_HoaUkGzovM3dwCmE8JQw7sAkaVUSDHnFWkXud0WzhviT1ADvRTWmqQtd16kO6s3tGIyDvFPphgx7GQGv1IrkiK-d-0lyhbtUZpkD_GjO3h62NbmUMvUKA/s1600/11238264_10153047954084217_8641956037313742652_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y36uZE3crkzMYe5MID1Ci_HoaUkGzovM3dwCmE8JQw7sAkaVUSDHnFWkXud0WzhviT1ADvRTWmqQtd16kO6s3tGIyDvFPphgx7GQGv1IrkiK-d-0lyhbtUZpkD_GjO3h62NbmUMvUKA/s320/11238264_10153047954084217_8641956037313742652_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-31798902838290556932015-06-07T14:34:00.000-07:002015-06-07T14:34:34.740-07:00Role modeling for change<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The third day was another success and we
are now over half way through the summit already. Its difficult to comprehend the progress of the summit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Again there were more sessions, panel
discussions, activities, food and deep and personal discussions.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8KAFQ5cwzlYKb9Mz-2_deIe3qs4HJPRJtR1LqcDgKYYUbDvCTEe8xAxnogWNjVl4Ry9PzGHF_9GzAg80Q4Mz2rwE0sMEi_3vldhLunyJPxQICq2zQ9xlhINWm2QOprCUg_BdF8EoHao/s1600/11426698_1012128285473353_385439113_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8KAFQ5cwzlYKb9Mz-2_deIe3qs4HJPRJtR1LqcDgKYYUbDvCTEe8xAxnogWNjVl4Ry9PzGHF_9GzAg80Q4Mz2rwE0sMEi_3vldhLunyJPxQICq2zQ9xlhINWm2QOprCUg_BdF8EoHao/s320/11426698_1012128285473353_385439113_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The panel discussion then began with
Michael and Christopher from the United States and Indi from Sri Lanka. They
shared their experiences using media for social change, and the powerful
effects it can have. They all had different, but all positive, experiences of
using various forms of media. While acknowledging the negative aspects it can
bring, they provided us with creative ideas and inspiration to use social media
well and in the most productive of ways. Indi conveyed the way he used social
media during the civil war. Michael spoke about its power with people who have
a disability. A presentation was untaken by Christopher on how to effectively
use social media, in particularly through twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">A session was then run on ‘the plan, the
brand and the money.’ Fatima, Simba and Abby each spoke about their expert
areas. Fatima started the session educating us about strategic plans and the
best way to approach them. She shared her insight and expressed the need of
being adaptable with the context you in and how it may change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Simba was next, answering the questions
about branding. He highlighted the importance of getting your brand out there
and making sure that you provide spaces for people to participate and get
actively involved. He believes that “the world is changing and it has actually
changed to your advantage… social media has made the world very, very small.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The last person for this session was Abby.
Abby spoke about fundraising and questioned us all on our idea of what
fundraising is. She put forward the idea that fundraising is more than seeking
money, but it is also about finding partnerships and intellectual resources
from fundraising. Abby gave us many tips about the most effective ways to
approach donors. She encouraged us to “find creative ways to work with donors.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Another panel discussion was held after
lunch. Two special guests, Justice Shiranee Thilakawardene and Tony Seneviratne
speak about corruption and transparency. These are issues which many countries
around the world continue to face. The
audience were very grateful for this discussion as one lady stood up and
thanked them for all they said, and explained how she’ll implement the
knowledge and skills she has learnt from this particular session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Again, the delegates were separated into
their ‘breakout’ groups. They delved deeper into their topics from yesterday,
discussing in more detail the issues they are each facing in their countries of
conflict and post-conflict societies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">After another long day of sessions, the
delegates were asked to sit down and reflect on what they have learnt so far.
They answered the question ‘how have your thoughts been changed or reinforced
from what you have learnt?’ After two days of intense sessions and dialogues,
there was a lot for people to reflect on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">We were very lucky to have Awista Ayub
speak to us about her work in Afghanistan with women and soccer. Awista is an
Afghan-American. During 9/11 she was faced with the struggle of figuring out
her identity, “what it meant to be an Afghan in America.” Awista was very
honest with everyone telling us about the things she would have done
differently next time, in hope that we avoid making similar assumptions and
misunderstandings. She focused on how it can be easy to get caught up in the
western mindset and misunderstand how things will play out in a conflict-zone.
Despite this, Awista managed to start the first ever female soccer team in
Afghanistan. This didn’t come without struggle or self-sacrifice though. Which
is something she reminded us all; of how much this road costs to us personally.
She encouraged us to go forward with our work, even if it means loved ones disagreeing.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Tajay Bongsa, from the executive committee,
led us all in some mediation after this talk. It gave everyone a chance to
relax and clear their minds. It was a lovely addition to the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">Everyone was then taken to an unknown
activity, which turned out to be a master chef competition outside! Divided
into their fellowship teams the groups were competing against one another to
make the best dish. With all the ingredients in the middle everyone had to race
to grab what was needed. The dishes were then tasted and judged on their taste
and the presentation of the food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU">The entertainment tonight was taken to a
new level with a lip-singing competition; six males against five females. Tunes
from the 90’s, Modern Pop, Bollywood and Latin Pop were the categories of musical
choice. After lots of dancing, lip singing and cheers, the girls finally won the
competition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Jasmine Pilbrow</div>
ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3946416305275712506.post-25792961466720658062015-06-06T13:12:00.002-07:002015-06-06T13:15:04.297-07:00Serving without titles Today has been a busy day with many sessions, panel discussions, lots of yummy food and deep conversations. The day started with an honourable guest coming to speak to us all, the High Commissioner Geoff Doidge. Geoff is from South Africa and spoke about his experiences growing up and living in the apartheid South Africa. He further expounded upon the nonviolent activism he is involved in South Africa: “Non-violent action unfolded on many fronts, civil disobedience, boycotts, workers strikes and demonstrations. These unconventional acts used in unison began to make South Africa uncontrollable and ungovernable… It was the efforts of these movements, along with international support, that brought down full scale sanctions, and forced the government into negotiations.”<br />
We had our first EC Series today. Movement Building Moderator, Hannah Simon-Girrard facilitated the panel, with panellists Kanji Mbugua from Kenya, Nawaz from Pakistan and Prashan de Visser. They spoke about connecting with your place, your team and your people. The delegates had many questions to ask them and were inspired by what the panel had to say.<br />
After a lot of time spent sitting and listening, a well-deserved lunch was enjoyed by all.<br />
The afternoon saw more intensive conversations with a panel of four people speaking about the work they are doing with their organisations in their home countries. Fatima Mullick from Pakistan, Lydia Nundak from Egypt, Pascal Magareoulino from the Congo and Christopher Neu from America shared their stories. A range of topics were discussed such as the use of technology to advance communities, how to alleviate poverty, sustainable development, how to work in challenging and diverse environments and how to deal with threats when doing nonviolent peace work.<br />
Next the delegates split into four groups, with representatives of different countries pairing together with those who are from countries facing similar situations. The four groups were ‘countries currently in conflict,’ ‘countries with upcoming elections,’ ‘countries in post-conflict situations,’ and ‘the causes of conflict.’<br />
The night ended with an amazing performance by Kanji, some hip-hop from Rajeev and some sensational music famous the Sri Lanka singer Randhir. It was a lovely way to end the night with lots of singing and dancing enjoyed by all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR81WyEwWveSjqjoKx30AEv9MX-M0qzAJnR0MyaEdWmr8-go5s41UPPgI9JFRd_qFJQUdi7UdtO1RTiwkPujZfcIMRRAPtyQt2CwYS4c7eYG_YSjbWWLR2mAoo0m-2-1EVbzW-tfIqII/s1600/11391180_836548743097447_5871414124359885711_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR81WyEwWveSjqjoKx30AEv9MX-M0qzAJnR0MyaEdWmr8-go5s41UPPgI9JFRd_qFJQUdi7UdtO1RTiwkPujZfcIMRRAPtyQt2CwYS4c7eYG_YSjbWWLR2mAoo0m-2-1EVbzW-tfIqII/s320/11391180_836548743097447_5871414124359885711_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
By Jasmine Pilbrow<br />
<br />ramzi zaindeenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13139289722227345602noreply@blogger.com0