youth for peace 2011 sri lanka - daily program

8/3/2019 Youth for Peace 2011 Sri Lanka - Daily Program

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2011 YOUTH FOR PEACE WORKSHOP 2011

“YOUth in interfaith cooperation: ending povertyaffecting children”

8-12 December 2011- Colombo, Sri Lanka

Daily ProgrammeDAY 1: Thursday, December 8th , 2011

MORNING

The Workshop started with an opening plenary with a traditional Sri Lankan welcoming parade,

drums, and candle lighting by Sarvodaya and GNRC South Asia Secretariat, the hosting

organization at Sarvodaya Headquarter. A warmly welcoming message from Dr. Vinya

Ariyaratne , the General Secretary of Sarvodaya Shramdana Movement was expressed to all

participants, facilitator team, supporting volunteers, interpreters, organizing team, and

Sarvodaya staff. Ms. Agneta Ucko , Director of Arigatou International at Geneva Office alsowelcomed and expressed appreciation to all participants and to the host organization. Mr

Suchith Abeyewickreme, Project Manager of GNRC South Asia, addressed further welcome

words to all attendants.

After the formal opening, the participants moved to the training venue Vishwanigethan. The

first session started with names games to start getting to know each other, led by Ms

Daniela Di Mauro. Shortly after that, Ms Laura

Lopez Bech invited participants to consider

their expectations (or “hopes”) and/or most

bothering “fear” previously sent to thefacilitators; each participant selected one and

explained to the rest of the group their own

meaning. . All expectations were posted on the

drawing map of the learning kiosks, inspired by

the Learning to Live Together manual and its

learning process. Participants were briefed

about the workshop agenda and its flow before beginning the first thematic on poverty.



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Dr. Vinu Aram , GNRC National Coordinator for India and Director of Shanti Ashram, had

supported participants establishing their ground understanding of the issue during “Let Start

Exploring Poverty Affecting Children” session. Prior to the workshop participants had been

asked to reflect on their own understanding of poverty and during that session they had the

opportunity to share their views and experiences on this issue, especially on how it is affectingchildren in their own country. Some participants showed drawings they had brought from

home; some others read poems they had written on the topic. After this overview, they started

exploring two of the sub-themes on poverty that will be addressed at the upcoming GNRC

Fourth Forum: (1) the Unequal Distribution of Resources, and (2) Children, Violence and War.

AFTERNOON:

During the afternoon session, participants further deepened their understanding of how

“Unequal Distribution of Resources”

affects children and leads to impoverishment of their

lives. . Vinu firstly introduced the core concepts of the rights of the child: survival, protection,

development, and participation. Basic statistics were shown to easily perceive the real situation

faced in the different countries represented; it was followed by a discussion and reflections on

the topic. The second thematic session, “Children, Violence, and War” brought more

practical experience of the issue through a conflict-mapping activity using the tree of conflict.

Participants were split into smaller groups to share

their personal experiences and different

perspectives on conflict and violence in their

communities. They later presented their analysis

of the causes (root) and the manifestation or

effects (branches, leaves, and fruits) of it. Dr.

Vinya captured the key learning points and

showed the real examples of the conflict and

violence in Sri Lanka, pointing out Sarvodaya’s

community development programmes

implemented as a contribution to improve the

situation in the country. . Before dinner participants took some time to reflect and write down

on their learning log what they heard, felt, saw, and experienced during the day. .

The evening session was devoted to the showcase of videos prepared by participants on their

celebrations of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children (DPAC). Videos showedhow the Global Network of Religions for Children around the world had brought together

different religious leaders and communities to pray and take action for children’s wellbeing; and

the key role young people played in preparing and implementing the Day.



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DAY 2: Friday, December 9th , 2011

MORNING:

The program of the second day began with some participants sharing their Hindu and Muslim

traditions with the group through a traditional Indian Hindu chanting and an explanation of the

key pillars of Islam. . Then the group spent five minutes in silent for personal reflection. On

their learning experience so far. Participants were introduced to today's morning agenda:

getting to know the work of Sarvodaya and other development organizations to address poverty

affecting children in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Suchith Abeyewickreme brought the young participants to visit Sarvodaya Headquarters

Office and introduced its over 50 years organizational development, structure, community

development programs and project activities on resettlement, reconstruction, and reconciliation

in Sri Lanka. Participants also visited 'Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa', a nutrition center for

abandoned and malnourished babies and kids, which was welcomed by Mrs. Neetha Ariyaratne ,the Honorable General Secretary of Sarvodaya Suwasetha Society. The youth enjoyed their

time playing with the babies and young kids for a while before visiting the Vocational Center for

Young Woman.

The morning ended with a Panel

Discussion entitled “Youth Action

for Eradication of Child Poverty”

held at Sarvodaya Women's

Movement conference room

Panelists included Ms. Gayathri Lokuge , researcher at the Centre

for Poverty Analysis (CEPA); Ms.

Susan Razzaz , Senior Country

Economist at the World Bank; Mr.

Chamindha Rajakaruna , Director

of Sarvodaya Shramadana

Movement; and Mr. Sanjeewa

Polgahagedara , from the micro-finance program at Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise

Development Service (SEEDS). The youth found it insightful to the presentations and had the

opportunity to engage into a dialogue with the panelists. AFTERNOON:

The afternoon started with a Silent Journey. Divided into 3 groups, participants rotated

through three “stations” where specific objects, sentences and actions invited the

youth to a deeper reflection on the three thematic areas of the workshop. Once

completed all round, the participants gathered in a circle and shared their personal meaningful

experiences and insight.



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After getting grounded from self-reflection, the

youth leaders further considered the interfaith

dimension of poverty alleviation through

discussions at the Interfaith Cafe. Groups of

three had been arranged as a simulated little

cafe to deepen their own beliefs; to express and

address their personal concerns; to developmutual understanding; and to learn from one

another how common goals for ending poverty

and fulfilling children rights can unite us all.

Added values of interfaith cooperation and

challenges we face in our daily work were also addressed.

Dr. Hans Ucko led the discussion. Key questions were asked to the participants: “What does it

mean for you to work with people of different religions and cultures? What is your experience?

What are the advantages? What are the challenges?” After conversations in small groups,

participants shared their reflections in plenary.

To close the Café Dr Vinu Aram and Dr Hans Ucko shared their passion about the topic and

their inspiring experiences on how they started working in the field of interfaith. After

encouraging dialogue, participants spent some time writing on their personal learning log.

During free time, three Jewish participants prepared for Sabbath as of traditional Jewish Friday

meal and welcomed other participants to join the ceremony. After dinner, all participants

walked to the Sarvodaya Headquarter for the Cultural Family Gathering to celebrate the

cultural diversity in the group and learn from others’ traditions. This informal evening began

with Sri Lankan traditional dances and was followed by each country's cultural presentation,

traditional food sharing, and performances. It was a highly entertaining cultural interactionamong all workshop participants, Sarvodaya local staff members and their families.

DAY 3: Saturday, December 10th , 2011

On the International Human Rights Day, the group of participants made a one- day field trip to

offer “Shramadana” or Gifting of Labour, one of Sarvodaya’s key development programmes.

It was a great opportunity for the group to contribute with

labour to improve children's lives at Hiyare East Village

around Galle city, in the southwest of Sri Lanka. Afterarriving at the village, the participants received bouquets

of fresh flowers welcomed by the young children. Soon

after they all arrived, Mr. Upali Hemachandra, District

Coordinator of Sarvodaya in Galle gave a welcome speech

and offered the traditional Ceylon tea and snacks.

Participants were then introduced to the 3 tasks of

community services that they could voluntarily contribute



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to through the whole morning: 1) paving the

ramp leading to the school 2) painting the

building, and 3) repairing the windows nets of

the School.

After the task completion, participants felt

good with their work and satisfied with theresults they had achieved. This was followed

by a well-deserved traditional lunch with the

villagers and a lovely performance offered by

the village's young children. The day

culminated with a nice time together exploring

Galle city and its beaches.

DAY 4: Sunday, December 11th , 2011

MORNING:

The fourth day of the workshop started with good spirits by sharing of religious traditions by

the Christian and Buddhist participants. Christian participants gathered and presented their

prayers. Later everyone was introduced to breathing meditation, Gathas, and brief story of the

Lord Buddha by the group of Buddhist participants. Then the youth participants had a moment

of reflection on what they had learned in the past three days by considering and sharing their

different level of discovery from each key sessions: (1) let's start exploring poverty affecting

children; (2) unequal distribution of resources; (3) Children, violence, and war; (4) visit to

Sarvodaya Headquarter and interactive panel with speakers, and (5) field trip.

After sharing their reflections, the morning session started with the question: “What does

governance mean to you?” Throughout the morning, the youth continued exploring another

important dimension of poverty affecting children: “Poor Governance.”

Then participants were divided into four subgroups to share their understanding of what poor

governance means/is characterized by… and how it affects child's right in their country.

When reporting back in plenary, each group presented the outcomes of their discussions.

Common issues identified included: violence against children, bad management and lack of

resources, arbitrary policy making, education, opportunities to voice children’s needs and

participate in decision-making. These issues were used as key elements to encourage

participants’ reflections during the afternoon session about youth initiatives to make a change.

To wrap-up, facilitators captured in a diagram the different levels at which action is needed to

address the issue: individual, community, institutions/organizations, and governments.

Participants were encouraged to reflect upon their role as individuals and as members of



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community to contribute to overcoming poor governance damages. Emphasis was put on

everyone’s leadership role in all areas of life, raising the question on “how we can canalize

energy to make the change?”. The connection between leadership and role modeling was

established to show the impact of our actions in ourselves and in our communities. The

importance of “awareness” ( being aware of what is happening around us) was also highlighted

as a key condition to bring about positive change.

AFTERNOON:

After lunch, participants played an energizer game: “I have a dream”. Following a recap on

the learning path done so far, participants started brainstorming on concrete actions in “The

Incubator: YOUth's Initiatives to Make a Change.” The young leaders were divided into

smaller groups of discussion according to the key issues raised in the previous session: (1)

Violence against the Girl Child; (2) Child Begging; (3) Education: Lack of Support and Structure;

and (4) Child Participation: having a voice in decision making. Participants chose the topic that

they wanted to work on and worked in small groups to identify concrete actions they could taketo address this topic.

All participants were excited to share thoughts and insights. Later after refreshment from the

break, each group actively presented their concrete project ideas on specific topics they

discussed. Questions and personal views from other participants were brought up and

shared along the presentation.



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DAY 5: Monday, December 12th , 2011

MORNING:

There are many tremendous ways to assemble our thoughts and minds in silence or sharing.

On this last day of the Workshop, instead of a silence walk, Ms. Agneta Ucko brought various

items around the venue and asked participants to take a few minutes of silence to decide

which they would like to concentrate on. Some of them shared their meaningful messages

reflected from the item.

The morning session started with an introduction

to the “Learning to Live Together” Manual.

Following a presentation on the key concepts

and values embedded in the learning approach

and methodology o the manual, participants

engaged in a discussion-based activity: “What I

Stand For?” Participants were asked to deeply

consider some statements related to poverty andbeliefs, and chose their stand on the same based

on their level of agreement. This served also as

an example of the methodology proposed in the manual and the type of activities suggested.

The session closed with the sharing of experiences by

some of the participants who are already using the

Manual in their local contexts, including participants

coming from Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina,

Jordan, India and Sri Lanka. The sharing was a good sign

of the commitment youth have to implementing the

Learning to Live Together in their communities, whileserving as a source of inspiration and encouragement for

the rest of participants to start using the Manual. Copies

of the manual were distributed to the participants

To wrap up the learning journey participants shared their

key personal learning and reflections from all sessions in

the workshop. Some expectations that had not yet been

reached were also expressed and discussed how they will

be taken care of.

Ms. Laura Lopez-Bech encouraged participants to continue the sharing of experiences and

information through GNRC Youth Facebook group and the GNRC Youth website. Campus, an

internal online learning resource platform was also presented as a useful databank of resources

to support GNRC youth work. Arigatou/ GNRC channel on YouTube also contains inspirational

videos and music related to children’s rights and social issues, and is available to everyone.

Appreciation and thank message from a participant was expressed in a poem before the

facilitator team gave a big round of applause to thank all members of the team– the reporters,



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supporting team, translators, logistic support team and host organization. Later everyone

gathered in a big circle for a Closing of the workshop by sharing their personal last words of

goodbye, insight, gratitude, appreciation or any thoughts as they wished.

AFTERNOON:

Afterwards in the evening, the group of participants attended a side-event organized by

Sarvodaya Legal Services Movement on the occasion of “United Nations Human Rights Day

Celebrations 2011” at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium in Colombo. Highlights of the

events were the 20th Kanchna Abhayapala annual human rights memorial lecture and the high

level consultation in “Building a Community Network to Protect Women and Children from

Violence: What you and I can do.” There were several highly well-respected and experienced

speakers in the field of anti-trafficking development in the region, including: Dr. At Ariyaratne,

the Founder and President of Sarvodaya Movement, Dr. Sunil Cooray , Chairman Board of

Director of Sarvodaya Legal Services Movement, and Dr. Sunitha Krishnan , a Co-Founder and

Chief Functionary of Prawala in India.

Youth for Peace 2011 program in Sri Lanka came to an end with a farewell dinner at a hotel

in Colombo city. Carrying a full bag of experiences, new ideas and questions, and intense

feelings, participants took off back home. The learning journey was about to start...again, now

in their own realities.

Documented by Kornnatt Surapat (Jay)

January 2012

youth for peace 2011 sri lanka - daily program

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