After 4 days of living with each other not many wanted to return home. The last day of the conference was not eagerly anticipated. Although everyone was looking forward to yet another day of FLC this would also be the final day they would get to spend precious time with their team. Spirits were high but emotions were mixed. A group of girls who had to leave on the 3rd day and return in the evening (as they were receiving prizes at their school prize giving) refused to do so as they couldn't stand the idea of leaving the conference even for a few hours. This is the level of enthusiasm with which each one of them embraced each new day at FLC.
Due to the spike in hate speech in the recent past we realized the need for informed information to circulate among people about the different religions. What better platform than FLC to do this? We had about 600 young student leaders all dressed in white eager to learn and make a difference. The first session comprised of a panel of four religious leaders representing each of the main religions in Sri Lanka. Each spoke of the the beliefs that their religion stood by. This was very significant as many of the pre-conceived notions and uninformed judgments of another's religion was broken down. The students were then able to ask questions and clarify doubts about another religion. The religious leaders were impressed as the students posed intelligent and timely questions. The leaders did justice to each question by answering without holding back. At the end of a powerful and excellent session many of the students and volunteers commented on how much they had needed an opportunity to participate in something of this calibre.
The teams returned to the hall now wearing their SLU FLC 5 T-shirts for the closing ceremony. Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala spoke to the audience and thanked Sangamitta Balika and the principal for their immense assistance for FLC 5. This is the first time FLC has been held in a Buddhist, all girls, government school. That in itself has been a great achievement only made possible by the enthusiasm and encouragement of the Principal of Sangamitta Balika. He spoke further on SLU and its journey to where it is today. He encouraged the students and applauded their efforts and enthusiasm to be agents of change and appreciate the immense potential that each of them possessed. Following this we had the finals of the oratory competition where the participant blew our minds away by the content of their speeches and their ability to deliver them so well. The moment that always moves the heart of the people is when the students take the stage and apologize to each other for the hurts and injustices of the past inflicted by one community to another. Although many have criticized that this is only a feel-good element there is no denying that the students need this. forgiveness needs to be asked, hurts must be acknowledged. It is a vital part of the healing process. To this day even participant of FLC 1 recount how much they appreciated that act of forgiveness and of acceptance. Many say that that was the moment it all changed and that was the moment they cherish to this day. No doubt the students felt this way this time too.
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Response to “Racing tanks with Bicycles: A parable of ‘Reconciliation’ in Sri Lanka”
The following is the response by Sri Lanka Unites to the article published in Groundviews, which can be found in the following link:
http://groundviews.org/2012/12/27/racing-tanks-with-bicycles-a-parable-of-reconciliation-in-sri-lanka/
Consequently, our response was also published in Groundviews and can be found in the following link:
http://groundviews.org/2013/01/11/response-to-racing-tanks-with-bicycles-a-parable-of-reconciliation-in-sri-lanka/
In the wake of a Project where essential school items, bicycles and other items were donated at the Seeniyamottai resettlement village in December 2012, much discussion has taken place in public forums as to certain concerns it raises including in the recent article in ‘Groundviews’ by Amal de Chickera. Sri Lanka Unites as a movement would like to reply and to clarify some of the mistaken assertions.
It must be stated at the outset, as indicated by Amal de Chickera himself, that his thoughts and ideas were spurred by browsing through images on a social media site. With all respect to the author’s best efforts and the website for their citizen’s journalism initiatives, it would surely have been better if the article was based on a wider and deeper level of information and the courtesy of a consultation with Sri Lanka Unites or connected groups involved in the project.
Sri Lanka Unites in Mullaitivu
Our journey with the people of Mullaitivu began in 2009. We gained access to serve the community at Menik Farm through Sarvodaya. At the time, the current Sri Lanka Unites National Director was a program coordinator for Sarvodaya - a position he took on because he wanted to serve his people during a very difficult period. He had been an IDP his entire childhood. He had lived in multiple IDP camps, been a student of 13 schools as a result of the war. He could be considered someone who understands at least a little of the people’s plight in Seeniyamottai.
He could have easily continued to live in Colombo, pursue his education and write an occasional article about the injustice to assuage his guilty conscience. Yet he chose the difficult journey of living among his people and responding to them in their time of need.
In his own words, “I spent the first 18 years of my life, since the day I was born, in a war torn environment, repeatedly displaced and leading the life of an IDP, without proper clothing, food, shelter, healthcare or a proper education, living in the worst places within the worst environments. Though these were bitter experiences, it did have some benefit. As a result of my experience, I was able to understand the pain and suffering of the people living in poverty and I became sensitive to their needs and felt an urge to help them and it also sowed the seeds for a lifelong commitment in service of such people.
As a result, after my A/Levels in 2004 I had the opportunity to aid my people in the North and the East who were in great distress as a result of the conflict. Till 2011 I was able to reach out to thousands of people by going from village to village and to IDP Camps and serving the people and alleviating their pain, until the time they were resettled. I consider this to be one of the greatest privileges of my life. Today my goal is that no one should endure a childhood of despair such mine. People should not suffer without their basic needs being met; they should have the capacity to fulfill for their social, economic and political needs through just means, and to this end I will work.”
The image of a top-down patronizing charity does not correspond to the reality of Sri Lanka Unites which rests on lateral relationships with the youth of Sri Lanka. One of our biggest strengths is the School Chapters Island wide. Vattapalai Maha Vidyalayam is one of our strongest school chapters nationally. The school has been part of numerous projects and produced some of our best student leaders over the years. These student leaders were instrumental in introducing us to the Seeniyamottai relocation site, which is situated a few kilometers from the school. It is our commitment to Vattapalai MV, and requests from our student leaders there that encouraged us to get involved here.
The People of Kepapilavu
In October 2012, 20 students from all across the country (including two students from Mullaitivu) visited Seeniyamottai during the Sri Lanka Unites School Relations Tour. Following this visit, the Sri Lanka Unites national team made two further visits to the area to meet the people and discuss what could be done. Our efforts were based upon their request, and the focus was on students. Since all the school-goers from the site attended Vattapalai MV, it made all the more sense for us to get involved.
Our student leaders in Mullaitivu carried out a survey in Seeniyamottai. Data as to the number of children, gender, age was gathered and their requirements were specifically noted and helped us to determine where we could get involved. We were not so arrogant as to second-guess the people’s wishes in establishing priorities.
Students living in Seeniyamottai have a few kilometers to walk to school with very limited public transport. Bicycles are not just a mode of transport but also help in their day to day activities. The distribution of bicycles and essential school items has everything to do with the academic future of the children which is of vital concern. Just because the situation is not life or death, as it was in Goma does not make children's education petty or secondary!
Our Approach
SLU has always acted as a non political, non partisan, multi ethnic and multi religious youth based movement.
‘Our decision to get involved is based upon humanitarian concern and the duty of a movement for reconciliation to be a ray of hope, however small it maybe, for the innocents who have been victimized by all parties. However, as a nonpartisan movement we do not endorse any decision made by any party in regard to this settlement. Our actions are meant to meet the immediate needs of the community.’ – Sri Lanka Unites Newsletter (November, 2012)
There are obviously broader concerns to be addressed such as the legal and political matters which are admittedly direct concerns for reconciliation to materialize. Within the mandate and long term objectives of SLU we have identified our role in this process.
SLU has its own approach to Reconciliation. As a non partisan youth movement we need not necessarily involve ourselves in discussing politics publicly. We need not necessarily be a political agitator. We need not necessarily challenge and agitate against the state. There have been enough youth movements in our country who used violence to further political agendas. We will not risk using our movement to politicize our students.
SLU’s approach is to invest in the next generation of politicians and leaders of Sri Lanka from every district, ethnicity, religion and economic background. We invest in the youth by implanting the seeds of altruism, leadership, and reconciliation which will lead to proactive and creative ways of achieving positive change in their communities and society.
In its brief existence SLU has connected youth from all over the island, creating a space for discussion, understanding and walking in one another’s shoes. It has created a youthful enthusiasm, a spirit of adventure culminating in ‘actual civil’ action - people to people and Sri Lankan to Sri Lankan: through the Future Leaders Conference, the School relations Tour, Champions of Change, SHOW You Care and our other activities. We have still a lot to learn including from our mistakes and are always ready to listen to constructive criticism.
We don’t believe in waiting for the government, military or political parties, international NGO’s or anyone else to initiate activity. By the time the political deadlock is sorted, grievances are heard , political and legal settlement of land issues are understood, another generation will lose opportunities for a proper education, employment and connectivity with the rest of Sri Lanka.
Our movement consists of thousands of individuals. Not for one moment do we suggest that we as individuals do not have personal opinions and convictions on these larger questions.
Working with the Military
SLU on principle does not work with the military. We have consciously not had them to be a direct part of any of our activities.
Our previous projects in the years before as well as other projects in the same area bear testament to that matter. For instance the ‘Shoebox Project’ connecting children from Colombo directly with a child in Mullaitivu was done without any military presence and this was fully organized by Sri Lanka Unites members and civilians of Mullaitivu.
However admittedly there was a military presence at the Project at the Seeniyamottai Resettlement Village where school supplies, bicycles, kitchen tools and the likes were handed out. The Foundation of Goodness organized this event and most of the items were provided by them. The SLU Chapter in Australia donated money for 80 of the essential school items packs. Bikes for Life Campaign led by Kumar Sangakkara along with the Foundation of Goodness donated the bicycles. SLU was invited to participate at this ceremony in the capacity of a donor and also because we were instrumental in bringing the people’s needs to their attention.
Our Future Plans in Mullaitivu
As noted above, Sri Lanka Unites has had a presence in Mullaitivu, and we intend to preserve it. Here we present some of our long term plans for Mullaitivu.
We believe that spreading the resources and opportunities for good education will pave the way for youth to become strong voices for their community. We will continue to push forward to ensure the next generation does not need to live dependent on anybody but can sustain themselves with a proper education.
By the end of the year 2013 we are committed to create 300 employment opportunities in Mullaitivu.
We have already begun to partner with corporate sponsors, Sri Lanka Unites Diaspora chapters and small business owners around the country to design a strategy that will create jobs for the community. We are ready to launch our educational and operational hub in Mullaitivu. The Reconciliation Center project - as we call it - aims to provide scholarships in IT, English and Business entrepreneurship.
To Help the People of Kepapilavu
A Sinhala member of the School Relations Tour registered her experience in Kepapilavu in the following words ‘The tragedy and suffering we witnessed is truly distressing and we're all deeply moved. We spoke to several families living there and found out that they've just been relocated from Menik Farm into what they've been told are their permanent homes. These 'homes' are basically shacks made out of wooden pillars with rackety tin roofs. The lands these people once had are no longer accessible let alone theirs. They have gone through so much and the stories they tell have you inspired by their moral strength.’
The plight of these people has not changed. The houses promised by the Indian government may well take another three years to materialize. In the mean time there are no proper toilet or sanitary facilities available, and a water tank to provide water to the people is still needed.
Sri Lanka Unites also tried to create awareness about the plight of these people at the student workshops held in 7 districts (namely Matara, Galle, Hambantota, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Puttalam), through photos, videos and direct testimonies by the student members of the School Relations Tour (a team comprising of students from 7 provinces). A Sinhala Buddhist boy from a district like Matara, speaking of the plight and injustice faced by the people of Seeniyamottai at a workshop held in his own hometown is characteristic of what Sri Lanka Unites is all about.
We don’t believe that the reduction in the level of misery will delegitimize the inalienable rights of the people. You can stand back and watch, you can sit back and comment cynically - in which case the military will be the only body helping the people of Keppapilavu. Or you can do something about it. That is what Sri Lanka Unites has chosen to do.
Sri Lanka Unites believes in being transparent about its activities and making available information about our activities through our website, blog and periodic newsletters. However, a drawback in being a movement largely based on volunteerism is that at times we may have to sacrifice PR to have more hands on the deck for urgent and immediate action. However, if there are concerns or criticisms about the activities of Sri Lanka Unites, we are open to hear them, clarify and learn through them.
Please write to us at publicrelations@srilankaunites.org
www.srilankaunites.org
http://groundviews.org/2012/12/27/racing-tanks-with-bicycles-a-parable-of-reconciliation-in-sri-lanka/
Consequently, our response was also published in Groundviews and can be found in the following link:
http://groundviews.org/2013/01/11/response-to-racing-tanks-with-bicycles-a-parable-of-reconciliation-in-sri-lanka/
Response
to
“Racing tanks with Bicycles: A parable of
‘Reconciliation’ in Sri Lanka”
In the wake of a Project where essential school items, bicycles and other items were donated at the Seeniyamottai resettlement village in December 2012, much discussion has taken place in public forums as to certain concerns it raises including in the recent article in ‘Groundviews’ by Amal de Chickera. Sri Lanka Unites as a movement would like to reply and to clarify some of the mistaken assertions.
It must be stated at the outset, as indicated by Amal de Chickera himself, that his thoughts and ideas were spurred by browsing through images on a social media site. With all respect to the author’s best efforts and the website for their citizen’s journalism initiatives, it would surely have been better if the article was based on a wider and deeper level of information and the courtesy of a consultation with Sri Lanka Unites or connected groups involved in the project.
Sri Lanka Unites in Mullaitivu
Our journey with the people of Mullaitivu began in 2009. We gained access to serve the community at Menik Farm through Sarvodaya. At the time, the current Sri Lanka Unites National Director was a program coordinator for Sarvodaya - a position he took on because he wanted to serve his people during a very difficult period. He had been an IDP his entire childhood. He had lived in multiple IDP camps, been a student of 13 schools as a result of the war. He could be considered someone who understands at least a little of the people’s plight in Seeniyamottai.
He could have easily continued to live in Colombo, pursue his education and write an occasional article about the injustice to assuage his guilty conscience. Yet he chose the difficult journey of living among his people and responding to them in their time of need.
In his own words, “I spent the first 18 years of my life, since the day I was born, in a war torn environment, repeatedly displaced and leading the life of an IDP, without proper clothing, food, shelter, healthcare or a proper education, living in the worst places within the worst environments. Though these were bitter experiences, it did have some benefit. As a result of my experience, I was able to understand the pain and suffering of the people living in poverty and I became sensitive to their needs and felt an urge to help them and it also sowed the seeds for a lifelong commitment in service of such people.
As a result, after my A/Levels in 2004 I had the opportunity to aid my people in the North and the East who were in great distress as a result of the conflict. Till 2011 I was able to reach out to thousands of people by going from village to village and to IDP Camps and serving the people and alleviating their pain, until the time they were resettled. I consider this to be one of the greatest privileges of my life. Today my goal is that no one should endure a childhood of despair such mine. People should not suffer without their basic needs being met; they should have the capacity to fulfill for their social, economic and political needs through just means, and to this end I will work.”
The image of a top-down patronizing charity does not correspond to the reality of Sri Lanka Unites which rests on lateral relationships with the youth of Sri Lanka. One of our biggest strengths is the School Chapters Island wide. Vattapalai Maha Vidyalayam is one of our strongest school chapters nationally. The school has been part of numerous projects and produced some of our best student leaders over the years. These student leaders were instrumental in introducing us to the Seeniyamottai relocation site, which is situated a few kilometers from the school. It is our commitment to Vattapalai MV, and requests from our student leaders there that encouraged us to get involved here.
The People of Kepapilavu
In October 2012, 20 students from all across the country (including two students from Mullaitivu) visited Seeniyamottai during the Sri Lanka Unites School Relations Tour. Following this visit, the Sri Lanka Unites national team made two further visits to the area to meet the people and discuss what could be done. Our efforts were based upon their request, and the focus was on students. Since all the school-goers from the site attended Vattapalai MV, it made all the more sense for us to get involved.
Our student leaders in Mullaitivu carried out a survey in Seeniyamottai. Data as to the number of children, gender, age was gathered and their requirements were specifically noted and helped us to determine where we could get involved. We were not so arrogant as to second-guess the people’s wishes in establishing priorities.
Students living in Seeniyamottai have a few kilometers to walk to school with very limited public transport. Bicycles are not just a mode of transport but also help in their day to day activities. The distribution of bicycles and essential school items has everything to do with the academic future of the children which is of vital concern. Just because the situation is not life or death, as it was in Goma does not make children's education petty or secondary!
Our Approach
SLU has always acted as a non political, non partisan, multi ethnic and multi religious youth based movement.
‘Our decision to get involved is based upon humanitarian concern and the duty of a movement for reconciliation to be a ray of hope, however small it maybe, for the innocents who have been victimized by all parties. However, as a nonpartisan movement we do not endorse any decision made by any party in regard to this settlement. Our actions are meant to meet the immediate needs of the community.’ – Sri Lanka Unites Newsletter (November, 2012)
There are obviously broader concerns to be addressed such as the legal and political matters which are admittedly direct concerns for reconciliation to materialize. Within the mandate and long term objectives of SLU we have identified our role in this process.
SLU has its own approach to Reconciliation. As a non partisan youth movement we need not necessarily involve ourselves in discussing politics publicly. We need not necessarily be a political agitator. We need not necessarily challenge and agitate against the state. There have been enough youth movements in our country who used violence to further political agendas. We will not risk using our movement to politicize our students.
SLU’s approach is to invest in the next generation of politicians and leaders of Sri Lanka from every district, ethnicity, religion and economic background. We invest in the youth by implanting the seeds of altruism, leadership, and reconciliation which will lead to proactive and creative ways of achieving positive change in their communities and society.
In its brief existence SLU has connected youth from all over the island, creating a space for discussion, understanding and walking in one another’s shoes. It has created a youthful enthusiasm, a spirit of adventure culminating in ‘actual civil’ action - people to people and Sri Lankan to Sri Lankan: through the Future Leaders Conference, the School relations Tour, Champions of Change, SHOW You Care and our other activities. We have still a lot to learn including from our mistakes and are always ready to listen to constructive criticism.
We don’t believe in waiting for the government, military or political parties, international NGO’s or anyone else to initiate activity. By the time the political deadlock is sorted, grievances are heard , political and legal settlement of land issues are understood, another generation will lose opportunities for a proper education, employment and connectivity with the rest of Sri Lanka.
Our movement consists of thousands of individuals. Not for one moment do we suggest that we as individuals do not have personal opinions and convictions on these larger questions.
Working with the Military
SLU on principle does not work with the military. We have consciously not had them to be a direct part of any of our activities.
Our previous projects in the years before as well as other projects in the same area bear testament to that matter. For instance the ‘Shoebox Project’ connecting children from Colombo directly with a child in Mullaitivu was done without any military presence and this was fully organized by Sri Lanka Unites members and civilians of Mullaitivu.
However admittedly there was a military presence at the Project at the Seeniyamottai Resettlement Village where school supplies, bicycles, kitchen tools and the likes were handed out. The Foundation of Goodness organized this event and most of the items were provided by them. The SLU Chapter in Australia donated money for 80 of the essential school items packs. Bikes for Life Campaign led by Kumar Sangakkara along with the Foundation of Goodness donated the bicycles. SLU was invited to participate at this ceremony in the capacity of a donor and also because we were instrumental in bringing the people’s needs to their attention.
Our Future Plans in Mullaitivu
As noted above, Sri Lanka Unites has had a presence in Mullaitivu, and we intend to preserve it. Here we present some of our long term plans for Mullaitivu.
We believe that spreading the resources and opportunities for good education will pave the way for youth to become strong voices for their community. We will continue to push forward to ensure the next generation does not need to live dependent on anybody but can sustain themselves with a proper education.
By the end of the year 2013 we are committed to create 300 employment opportunities in Mullaitivu.
We have already begun to partner with corporate sponsors, Sri Lanka Unites Diaspora chapters and small business owners around the country to design a strategy that will create jobs for the community. We are ready to launch our educational and operational hub in Mullaitivu. The Reconciliation Center project - as we call it - aims to provide scholarships in IT, English and Business entrepreneurship.
To Help the People of Kepapilavu
A Sinhala member of the School Relations Tour registered her experience in Kepapilavu in the following words ‘The tragedy and suffering we witnessed is truly distressing and we're all deeply moved. We spoke to several families living there and found out that they've just been relocated from Menik Farm into what they've been told are their permanent homes. These 'homes' are basically shacks made out of wooden pillars with rackety tin roofs. The lands these people once had are no longer accessible let alone theirs. They have gone through so much and the stories they tell have you inspired by their moral strength.’
The plight of these people has not changed. The houses promised by the Indian government may well take another three years to materialize. In the mean time there are no proper toilet or sanitary facilities available, and a water tank to provide water to the people is still needed.
Sri Lanka Unites also tried to create awareness about the plight of these people at the student workshops held in 7 districts (namely Matara, Galle, Hambantota, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Puttalam), through photos, videos and direct testimonies by the student members of the School Relations Tour (a team comprising of students from 7 provinces). A Sinhala Buddhist boy from a district like Matara, speaking of the plight and injustice faced by the people of Seeniyamottai at a workshop held in his own hometown is characteristic of what Sri Lanka Unites is all about.
We don’t believe that the reduction in the level of misery will delegitimize the inalienable rights of the people. You can stand back and watch, you can sit back and comment cynically - in which case the military will be the only body helping the people of Keppapilavu. Or you can do something about it. That is what Sri Lanka Unites has chosen to do.
Sri Lanka Unites believes in being transparent about its activities and making available information about our activities through our website, blog and periodic newsletters. However, a drawback in being a movement largely based on volunteerism is that at times we may have to sacrifice PR to have more hands on the deck for urgent and immediate action. However, if there are concerns or criticisms about the activities of Sri Lanka Unites, we are open to hear them, clarify and learn through them.
Please write to us at publicrelations@srilankaunites.org
www.srilankaunites.org
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Future Leaders Conference is back on the Sri Lanka Unites drawing board!
Yes! Planning for Future Leaders’ Conference Season 5 has
begun. Following an amazing conference at Jaffna this year, the fifth season of the Future Leaders' Conference has a lot to live up to. But a group of passionate young people have once again come together to take up the challenge of organizing yet another historic conference.
The venue of FLC 5 is yet to be decided upon. However, it has been confirmed that it will be some place in the Southern Province. And, this would possibly be the first time a conference of this nature takes place in the Southern Province, where students from all 25 districts will come together under the united identity of being Sri Lankan, and live together for 5 days, experiencing the rich culture of the South and being empowered to be leaders across and beyond ethnic and religious lines.
Planning has already begun at the Sri Lanka Unites national office, with the organizing process broken into different departments, each having their own plans drawn up. The Programme committee has already started discussing how best to improve the content of the conference, and to better deliver it to the students. The Public Relations team has drawn up plans for continued updates on the activities of SLU with special focus on the organizing of FLC. The School Relations team is gearing into action, as they start work on Champions of Change projects for 2013 and also the School packs for all member schools. A coalition of students from the South is being created to handle all activities on the ground. To put it simply, the SLU office is once again alive with activity leading to the conference next year.
The venue of FLC 5 is yet to be decided upon. However, it has been confirmed that it will be some place in the Southern Province. And, this would possibly be the first time a conference of this nature takes place in the Southern Province, where students from all 25 districts will come together under the united identity of being Sri Lankan, and live together for 5 days, experiencing the rich culture of the South and being empowered to be leaders across and beyond ethnic and religious lines.
Planning has already begun at the Sri Lanka Unites national office, with the organizing process broken into different departments, each having their own plans drawn up. The Programme committee has already started discussing how best to improve the content of the conference, and to better deliver it to the students. The Public Relations team has drawn up plans for continued updates on the activities of SLU with special focus on the organizing of FLC. The School Relations team is gearing into action, as they start work on Champions of Change projects for 2013 and also the School packs for all member schools. A coalition of students from the South is being created to handle all activities on the ground. To put it simply, the SLU office is once again alive with activity leading to the conference next year.
There are many challenges that loom ahead, and the journey leading to Future Leaders' Conference Season 5 will definitely be one requiring commitment and dedication from all members of the Organizing committee. But this year's committee seems promising; with a group of passionate young individuals ready to take on the challenge, one could confidently say, "The Best is YET to Come!"
Keep following our blog for continued updates on the developments related to Future Leaders' Conference 5 and all other activities of Sri Lanka Unites at present!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Road Trip 2012- Lessons in Leadership
However, as it turns out, any worries we might have had are immediately dissolved. The girls of Methodist College Trincolmalee are so enthusiastic and it is truly amazing ti see how eagerly they take up the activities we give them, determined to learn in whatever way they can. They seem thoroughly moved (as well as entertained) when fellow members of the Dream Team from different parts of Sri Lanka speak to them in their mother tongue.
Their genuine enthusiasm inspires us all, and when they promise us that they will definitely join the Sri Lanka Unites network as a school, and support us in our journey towards reconciliation, we know their promise is sincere. With the end of the Trincomalee workshop, we set out on our journey to Jaffna, which brings back fond memories for most of us on the Dream Team. During the bus ride, we work in groups that we were assigned in the morning, and discuss the next lesson on our syllabus- Mandela's seven principles of leadership. As people begin sharing their reflections on these principles, people begin to realise principles of leadership that they weren't aware of before. Akila from Matara says that when he learned of Mandela's principle of leading through whatever obstacle, he began to see how he could apply it to his own life, and is confident that he will be able to recall it in the future. As much as the day's thought provoking activities leave us inspired and empowered, by the end of the day we feel quite exhausted. And yet, as we take to our beds in preparation for Day 7, we feel nothing but excitement and anticipation for the road ahead..
Friday, October 5, 2012
Road Trip 2012 Day Three- Travel Tales
“What we stand for is a united Sri Lanka. A nation free from
discrimination due to race, caste or ethnicity… a nation where all individuals
are treated as equals, regardless of their background,” says Kalinda, a member of our Dream Team representing Kegalle, who is speaking
at our morning assembly in Ratnapura. 
The hall is silent as a 100 young students, as well as the principal and teachers of Ratnapura Dharmapala Vidyalaya contemplate these thought provoking words. It could not have been put better.
The Rathnapura assembly ends on a good note with us being
able to give them books for their library and a plate rack for their special
needs class, and we, after spending some time singing songs with the children
of this class, pack our bags and head for Monaragala. Having had a double
breakfast due to the extremely kind, but unfortunately unforeseen hospitality
of the Rathnapura School, we do not feel the need to stop for lunch. However, this is where the trouble begins. By six thirty, we still haven’t anything to
eat since breakfast, and our chance of finding any food seems to be bleak as
the road continues to wind on, seemingly devoid of any human existence
(elephants are in plenty, however.)
An hour later, the effects of this lack of food are clearly beginning
to present themselves. Prashan grabs his guitar and starts singing a song about
his hunger pangs, which soon extends, as each person adds bits and pieces, to a
full blown comical lament, with special mentions being made about a few of our
road trip ‘characters’. Prashan seems to be on a roll with his lyrics when, out
of nowhere Sangeeran bursts out- ‘Aiya, if we can’t find a place, can we at
least food the cook?’
In the midst of all these food related challenges and moments
of questionable sanity among others, today we realized one thing. Sure, if
life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But if it doesn't and there don’t seem
to be any lemon shops to be found, don’t stress.. just food the cook.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Road Trip 2012 Day Two: To the City of Gems
What was most inspiring for us, as members of the Dream
Team, was the overwhelming amount of time and effort these schools had
dedicated towards setting up a positive and successful workshop for the top
leaders of the schools in their respective districts. They were filled with so
much passion, drive and enthusiasm for the cause which certainly inspired us in
our own journey as well. The sense of welcome and gratitude we felt on arriving
at these schools was something I know most of us had never experienced before
and doubt will ever forget. We were heralded in as guests of honor, behind the
customary Sri Lankan drummers and dancers
in the traditional Sri Lankan style, with eager students dressed in
their school uniforms and blazers standing proudly at the entrance to their schools
in a gesture of welcome. The pride they
felt was apparent and, according to a young student from Rathnapura Dharmapala Vidyalaya who later spoke to us,
their aim was to show respect for and give back, in whatever way they could,
for what Sri Lanka Unites had done for
them and for how it had helped them develop as individuals.
As Day Two also brought with it the first ever workshops that
needed to be conducted by us- the Dream Team 2012- mistakes were inevitably
made. In fact, if I learned one thing through the workshops of our first day on
the road, it’s that there are always a lot of things that can go wrong. Things
don’t always go according to plan [or schedule for that matter],
miscommunications do take place and, in many circumstances, chaos could ensue.
However, what we’ve realized, in just the course of two days, is that we’re in
this together. What is already apparent amongst this incredibly diverse, yet like-minded
group of individuals, is that we’re all there for one another, and each moment
is a learning process, a step along the journey, a journey in which there is
yet a long way to go.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Future Leader's Conference: Season 4 - Daily News
  Wednesday, 21 March 2012Young leaders passionate about reconciliation
Future Leaders Conference - Season 4:
Young leaders passionate about the cause of reconciliation, ready to
learn from the mistakes of the past and build a brighter future, are an
immediate need in post-war Sri Lanka. The Future Leaders Conference is a
platform that bridges the gap between this need and the real leaders of
the future. Bringing together student leaders from around the island,
Future Leaders Conference has, in the past three years has made a
significant impact in the lives of the participants as well as in their
schools and districts. This year for the fourth consecutive year Future
Leaders Conference will continue in its journey towards achieving a
truly reconciled Sri Lanka through impacting and changing the
grassroots.
There has been a multitude of success stories from the past three conferences, where students who initially refused to even share a room with someone of another ethnicity at the end were in tears as they reluctantly took leave of their new found friends of another ethnicity. The agenda of the Future Leaders Conference involved a session where the students; both Sinhalese and Tamil, unconditionally asked their brothers from the other ethnicity to forgive them for the acts of injustice committed against them in the past. While asking for forgiveness may seem like a purely symbolic act, we have seen through the past three years the long-lasting impact it has on the young minds, inspiring them to contribute towards achieving reconciliation. Beyond this emotional response to reconciliation, the conference provides a framework for students to formulate new opinions regarding other ethnicities that were previously clouded by hatred and stereotypes. To continue the momentum that begins at the conference, Sri Lanka Unites provides the participants with post-conference guidance on how they can impact their society, through Post-Conference Guide Books and Champions of Change (CoC) projects. This year, while keeping the core concept of the conference intact, the programme for the conference is to be revamped to include more relevant issues. During the past three years, the required approach to reconciliation has changed dramatically as the participants of the conference hasmoved from the initial post-war period to a time where broader issues with respect to uniting Sri Lanka need to be addressed. The conference this year will include panel discussions with an open forum for students to express their views and opinions on the new concerns that have risen post-war. FLC-4 promises to move towards the next stage of an authentic reconciliation - addressing the issues that stand in the way towards a united Sri Lanka. Even in the sports and entertainment segments of the conference, this year promises to be different. Julian Bolling, the only Sri Lankan swimmer to participate in three consecutive Olympic Games will be contributing his prowess in experiential learning games, where concepts and ideas are conveyed through sports. In addition, this year would include various opportunities for the participants and participating schools to compete for many awards such as The Champions of Change award, Best Trilingual Delegation award and awards for oratory, art and creative writing. However, the most unique aspect of this year's conference is, in fact, its venue. This year the conference will be held at Jaffna College, in Vaddukoddai in the Jaffna peninsula. This is indeed an historic event, as students from all 25 districts of the country gather at Jaffna and experience the culture and hospitality of their compatriots of the North. Organizing an event of this nature at Jaffna is a mammoth task, and this task has been cheerfully taken on by the Sri Lanka Unites team, who have started on preparations to make this year's conference one that would leave a lasting impression on the minds of the participants, and instill in them the passion to achieve a truly reconciled Sri Lankan society. |
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