sri lankas regional chambers of commerce network for conflict transformation, reconciliation,...

Sri Lanka’s Regional Chambers of Commerce Network for Conflict Transformation, Reconciliation, Regional Empowerment and Corporate Social Responsibility

Copyright 2009 © The Business for Peace Alliance

THE BPAPartnering for Progress

What is the Business for Peace Alliance?

Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.

A “bottom up” regional platform to bring about regional empowerment, reconciliation, national unity and the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

A “bottom up” lobby for aspirations of regional Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), with capacity to understand and develop regional solutions for regional problems.

Works with partners to deliver regional development programs, and promotes business as a means to bring about more prosperous and peaceable communities.

Promotes Public-Private-People Partnerships for sustainable regional development.


Brief History

Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create a platform for business to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and regional communities.

Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a focal point for regional business.

Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka.

Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Lanka.

Guided by several highly respected business leaders and professionals from Colombo.


Overview


23 Board Members 25 Regional Chambers 3 Women’s Chambers 15,000 Members

Commerc

e (as

represented by Regional Chambers)

Peace

Conflict transformation Lobbying & advocacy Networking & sharing good

practice Influencing & engaging

stakeholders Improving understanding &

awareness Regional empowerment Building capacity Sustainability & funds Securing livelihoods

BPA’s Business Model



Chambers of Commerce

BPA

MediaGovernment

Big Business & Stakeholders

Funding Bodies

Raising Awareness Identifying New Development

Influencing Policy

Increasing Understanding

Peace Bridges & Reconciliation Committee

Collating Information

Comms Relationship mgmt Bid Dvlpt

Feedback Local engagement Analysis

BPA’s Approach

Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts to bring about greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.


BPA’s Approach

Chambers of Commerce

BPA

MediaGovernment

Support & Engagement New Development Initiatives

Policy Change

Championing Change

Creating Clusters & Sharing Best Practice

Information & Support (Project mgmt, new policy etc.)

Big Business & Stakeholders

Funding Bodies

Comms Project mgmt Review

Relationship mgmt Project design

What BPA does . . . .

Reconciliation Committees

Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation.

Business leadership for Community leaders to network.

Early warning system – prevention of conflict.

Mitigate escalation of conflict.

Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi religious festivals, trade fairs….



Peace through Empowerment

Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective in Sri Lanka.

Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.

Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional level for regional empowerment.

Awareness programs on issues such as the New Companies Act and the New Electricity Act.

Communication skills for better understanding.



Building the Capacity of Regions

BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives from all regions.

Reconciliation among communities.

Sharing experiences in income generation.

Communication and presentation skills.

Bridging the gap between the center and the regions for sustainable and equitable socio-economic development in the country.



BizPAct :

Engagement with Big business and the Diaspora

Links with Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, UK, Germany, UAE and USA.

Creating a platform to allow big business to partner in regional investment an development in a context sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.

Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the context in Sri Lanka’s regions and helping to dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.



Learn & Lead:

A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with the support of an imminent National Steering Committee.

Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing opportunities for developing future leaders from the regions.

Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive education in leading private schools.

Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic environment for youth in the regions.



Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)

Strengthening links with local and national media to promote regional small and medium entrepreneurs and enterprises through the media and the internet.

Regional Business Directory – publication of profiles of regional businesses across the country.

Collaboration with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka.

Investment promotion through programs such as BizPAct.



Advocacy between the top and bottom

Constitutional Reforms

Budget Proposals

Voice of Regions Newsletter

Media and internet

Symposia and workshops island wide

Understanding the New Companies Act and Electricity Act

Understanding Labor laws and Taxation



Rewarding business for contribution to National Unity

The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organised by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of International Alert and BPA.

Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse ethnic and social groups in their communities and the country.



Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action Support to IDPs.

Milk food and medical assistance to women and children in hospitals in Vavuniya and Trincomalee.

Supply of essential items to camps in Vavuniya.

Support to children in camps in Vavuniya.

Livelihood development for future.

Language for livelihood.

Reintegration of ex combatants - transform ex combatants into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking with chambers and mentoring by senior regional businessmen.

Learn and Lead scholarships.


Governance and operational challenges

Directors 23 – scattered all over the country, financial and time commitments to own districts and chambers, lack of expertise, experience and sophistication, less links with national policy makers and high level stake holders based in Colombo.

Partnerships – Public, Private, People.

Steering Committees with external experts – Board Development, Legal, Finance and Audit, Learn and Lead, Enterprise Steering Committee.

Staff mostly regional – lack of English skills and exposure with high level stakeholders based in Colombo.

Keeping island wide network actively informed and engaged – Communication.

Core funding to maintain and develop the Secretariat.

Income generating programs – Need seed money to develop BizPAct, a Chamber/Business Support Services Unit and Voice of Regions Newsletter/Magazine.


Unique platform to make a tangible difference in rebuilding

Sri Lanka Regional Empowerment: Bringing ownership and active

participation in regional development by the people of the regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to develop confidence in ones own capacity.

Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for sustainable development and peace.

Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation: Social cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Philanthropy and CSR: Going beyond charity to create social value - giving a hand-up as opposed to a hand-out.


Partnering for progress…

“People – Public - Private - Partnerships”

www.bpa-srilanka.comCopyright 2009 © The Business for Peace Alliance

sri lankas regional chambers of commerce network for conflict transformation, reconciliation,...

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