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.

SRI LANKA UNITES "OPEN HOUSE" - Every 3rd Saturday of the Month (3-5 pm)

Dear Friends, 

For the past few years we have used social media as a tool to,

1.     Update and report of our efforts among youth across the island
2.     Recruit volunteers and support for the cause (Local and Diaspora)

However, there has been an increase in the desire to engage in conversation and dialogue with words of encouragement, suggestions, questions and at times even debate. We welcome such engagement and see it as an opportunity to further communicate our vision, mission and core values. At the same time we see this as an opportunity to refine the movement. However, the limitations of Facebook, Twitter and other available forms of social media to engage in constructive dialogue are obvious.

Furthermore, being a volunteer movement we do not have the time to sacrifice on such a form of engagement consistently, especially when we can use the same time and energy to make a tangible impact on the ground.

Hence we are eager to introduce SLU Open House every third Saturday from 3- 5 pm at the Head Office in Colombo. If you have any questions, suggestions and constructive criticism on approach, vision, outcomes, result etc. we welcome you to join us. Please e-mail us at publicrealations@srilankaunites.org to inform us if you intend to come for SLU Open House, so that we can make necessary arrangements.

If you do not live in Colombo but still like to engage with us in conversation, please e-mail us of your interest. We will connect with you via Skype for the conversation.

If you would like your comments and engagement to be public we will have our conversation video recorded and uploaded on our YouTube channel "srilankaunitesmedia". 

We at Sri Lanka Unites are passionate about the cause for youth led conflict transformation. We believe in making a lasting and sustainable impact by investing in the next generation. However, even though engaging in dialogue with those outside the movement may not be the priority of the movement, we are see value in such engagement and are willing to create a space and an opportunity for this.

We are eager to host these open house events and welcome anyone who would like to contribute. From a student in our movement to a veteran social activist, a journalist to academic researchers to men and women of great experience to adamant arm chair critics, we promise that you will be welcomed with the same level of enthusiasm and trademark Sri Lankan hospitality. E-mail us NOW!

Summary

-Engaging in conversation on social media forums are not sufficient to bring about effective social change.

- As a volunteer movement we are pressed for time with the many projects we run and the many SLU chapters and members we communicate with (Our priority) 

- Engagement and dialogue with those outside the movement is not our priority but we see value in it

-Hence every third Saturday 3.00 – 5.00pm. Open house at SLU Head Office.

- E-mail us at publicrelations@srilankaunites.org  and sign up for this month's open house. Skype appointment (for those outside Colombo) can be fixed for this month by emailing us.

In the name of peace, reconciliation, progress and action.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!  - Gandhi 

IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION YOU MAY BE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

Become part of the solution! Start at SLU Open House!