Final Day of Sri Lanka Unites' Flagship Event

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.

Future Leaders Conference Season 5 - Day 2 to 4

Each morning of the conference started off bright and early. While not the most enjoyable part of the day, waking up so early was quite an advantage, especially in light of the lengthy morning shower line-ups that seemed to be a certainty. Many students had travelled more than 12 hours to attend the conference, and may have been too exhausted from their trip to engage and interact with their peers on Day 1.

Many of the students seemed quite timid at first,very likely due to the prevalent language barriers. But this was soon overcome with the many games and activities that were played. The ‘Human Knot’ for example, required the students to hold hands in a circle. One student then broke the circle and walked under and over the others’ arms to result in a human knot. The student then linked up again with the last student. The task was to show patience and communicate clearly and patiently to untangle the knot.

This year’s conference had a slew of interesting speakers. The morning panel discussion on Day 2, for example,introducedthe idea of reconciliation and explored the underlying responsibility of all Sri Lankans in this regard. Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, Dr. Jehan Pereraand Mr. Javed Yusuf, spoke in Tamil, Sinhala and English, respectively, to encourage students not to simply contribute ideas, but also to contribute meaningful action toward the cause of reconciliation. On Day 3, Justice Shiranee Tilakawardena and Mr. Kushil Gunesekara - Founder of the Foundation of Goodness – spoke about the ideal qualities a leader should possess in order to ensure effective and lasting reconciliation. And on Day 4, Ms. Namini Wijedasa, Mr. Fadhil Bakeer Markar and Mr. Nalliah Kumaraguruparan Ashokbharan spoke about the need for youth to creatively identify foster creative create expression of ideas to address present day challenges.The sessions were all very well received, particularly because of the passion that each speaker brought to the stage.

After-session activities encouraged students to utilize creative expression to foster active learning and collaboration among students with diverse backgrounds. One such activityrequired each student to identify two events – one historical and one personal – in relation to the conflict. Each team then put together a physical timeline of these events. The purpose of this exercise was twofold: to educate students about the conflict and to also demonstrate that all Sri Lankans are connected in some way to the events of the conflict. In this way, students were able to bear witness to the commonalities shared amongst them.

On another day, students were asked to identify possibly solutions to a given problem in Sri Lanka. Areas of concern included unemployment, education, poverty, domestic violence, and cost of living. There were a variety of solutions, both to perceived and real problems within these areas. I was really impressed with the creativity the students demonstrated in presenting their solutions; many used poster board, but some also used film. The students spoke eloquently and passionately about their desire to create positive change, and it was truly inspiring to witness the essence of the term ‘Future Leader’ captured in this way.

Some time was set aside each day for the students to participate in physical activities. Sports such as cricket and volleyball were played, along with other non-conventional games. During sports time, half of the teams participated in an oratory competition. Students were asked to speak for 3 minutes on the topic ‘A Diverse and Inclusive Sri Lanka’ – teams selected three students to each speak in English, Tamil and Sinhala.The resulting speeches were spectacular to watch. Each student demonstrated an impressive effort, articulating clear and well thought out ideas to their peers and judges.

During the evenings, teams prepared and performed a creative item – a song, dance, or skit – that was in line with the message of SLU and the conference. A variety of musical artists also performed, ranging from energetic performances by Dushyanth, Randhir and Fantasy, to acapella performances by Choro Calibre and Voiceprint.

It is evident that the conference has served to educate and inform, but has also been an excellent opportunity to showcase some of Sri Lanka’s most talented musicians to the youth.

From the Conference Book: Message from the President - Sri Lanka Unites

In 2006, as we began this journey towards youth-led grassroots reconciliation many wondered if it was pre-mature or naïve. Most agreed it was ambitious and everyone questioned if it was possible. However, our conviction that the war generation of Sri Lanka needed an opportunity to have a fresh start and space to learn from the mistakes of the past and build a greater future has never dwindled. Each one of us involved with Sri Lanka Unites was born into a Sri Lanka that was ranging with the fires of hatred and the turmoil of war. We as a generation inherited prejudices, hatred and negative stereotypes towards those outside our ethnic group. Our nationalistic duty was to join the ranks of our ethnic and religious groups and insist our people were right and had been wronged and all our actions (however much they challenged our conscience) were justified. Questions were not asked, motives were not questioned, and political manipulations were never detected. Our desire to preserve, promote and enhance our ethnicity at most took dominant prominence over our value for humanity, at the very least that of our fellow Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka Unites from its inception dared to challenge the narrow parameters of our worldview and our approach to the ethnic conflict. We are pushing the boundaries to seek authentic solutions. Whatever approaches used in the past ranging from war, political bickering, to even peace talks and negotiations have failed time and time again. A solution to the ethnic conflict seemed to be more unrealistic than a snowstorm in a tropical island. The worldview had to change. Fundamental lies, negative generalizations, denial of crimes against each other, justification of blatant violence and silence of the moderate masses needed to be tackled if we were to see lasting change. Where do you begin? Who do you focus on?  The answer was right under our nose. Change was to begin with us. We had to purge ourselves of our own hatred. Weather we admitted it or not we have all been marred by violence and prejudices. None of us were blameless; guilty of prejudice was the verdict. Experiencing change even in our own lives has been longer than we would have liked. Hence we are by no means unaware of the long journey ahead for reconciliation of our generation. Reconciliation is a process, not an event, an emotional experience or an understanding that happens in the vacuum. Reconciliation is neither a tool for retribution nor an excuse for political inaction.
As we often quote the word for reconciliation in Greek, “tickum Olam” means to heal, repair and transform. The healing process is not for the fainthearted, repairing the broken bridges of trust and respect is not a walk in the park and the journey toward transforming the misfortunes and the hurts of the past is most certainly not for the near sighted.

Therefore the journey has just begun. Today we have youth from every district, representing every ethnicity, religion, caste and economic background passionately committed to being the change and bridging the gap of apathy and transforming hate into reconciliation. Swimming against the stream that says end of war = end of conflict = reconciliation on one side, and another stream that says grassroots efforts for reconciliation is not a proper response for grievances. Members of our youth movement that number well over 10,000 representing over 70 chapters (including 6 outside Sri Lanka) continue to make an impact. With a firm conviction that reconciliation is not solely a government mandate but is also equally a civilian endeavor, with over 70 percent of Sri Lankan youth deprived of the richness of a friendship outside their ethnic group, we have seen over a thousand leaders go through the Future Leaders’ Conferences of the past and draw their communities closer to one another breaking generations of prejudice, misconception and fundamental lies about each other. We have seen a spike in interest to pursue tri-lingual skills from the students, our all island speaking tours and workshops have reached over 30,000 students from every district, relief and rebuilding work has seen wheel chairs provided to IDP camps and hospitals in the north, essential school packs to over 2000 students from across the nation, libraries have been built, IT training has been expanded and communities that once hated each other are now aligned for a greater and more inclusive Sri Lanka. Student projects inspired by the Future Leaders’ Conference have impacted communities across Sri Lanka. From drinking wells to medical camps, dengue eradication to reconciliation seminars it has been our joy to see student leaders leading change and working across ethnic lines.  A massive worldview shift from the parameters of their self-centered or ethno-centered lives at best to a commitment to country and all our people has been inspiring transformation and providing a glimmer of better things to come.

Today we welcome you to Jaffna for the fourth season of the Future Leaders’ Conference. After organizing the conference for three years and being transformed by the experience - students and Sri Lanka Unites chapters of the north have urged us, then impressed us, and today finally host us in all the splendor of the north. We are here in Jaffna for two reasons - celebrate the richness of our Sri Lankan heritage in the form of our very own Sri Lankan Tamil culture and to make a strong positive impact on the rebuilding and reconciliation process in the north. Northern Sri Lanka has been deprived of much due to three decades of violence. We are here to celebrate her identity and interlink it as ours and work towards rebuilding her former glory as a diverse but united generation. May the world know after decades of turmoil a new generation dares to unite and make our beloved nation thrive!

Prashan De Visser
President
Sri Lanka Unites