|
Date : 24th of April 2009
Venue : Silver Ray Reception Hall, Ratnapura.
Chairperson : Dr Jehan Perera, Executive Director, National Peace Council Resource Persons: Dr Jehan Perera, Executive Director (NPC), Ms Regina Ramalingam, Chief Operational Executive, NPC, Dr Sasanka Perera, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Mr. S.G.Punchihewa, Attorney at Law and Mr. S.P Nathan, the National Executive Coordinator translated the presentation made by Ms. Regina Ramalingam, Chief Operational Executive to Sinhala.
Participants : 33 Including the Government Agent, Rathnapura
Moderation : COE, and Team Leader, Peace Mobilization Team
Organized and conducted the workshop: The Team Leader and the staff of the
Mobilization Team
Presentation of the book on Pluralism: Executive Director, Chief Operations Executive, and National Executive Coordinator of National Peace Council
Summary
Pluralism workshop was held in Ratnapura on the 24th instant to local political leaders, NGO representatives, government officials, religious leaders etc of track 2 level. There were 33 participants and among the distinguished participants was the Government Agent of Ratnapura who contributed much in the discussion. There was very active participation in the discussion and a voluntary committee comprising of 12 undertook to work with NPC in future activities and will also be in the networking mechanism that will encompass all the 9 districts in establishing a pluralistic society.
Background
In the district of Ratnapura people of diverse ethnic groups viz. Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims reside and most of them strive to earn a living through mining of precious stones and working in tea plantations. Due to its diversity it is necessary to promote harmonious living at this crucial moment of our History which no state or NGO cum private sector has so far not delved into.
NPC’s decision to hold a workshop on “Pluralism” in Ratnapura was considered as essential due to its economic importance and geographical location where multi ethnic communities strive to live through mining, trading and working in plantations. Non-adherence to norms, principles etc in the fullest sense have caused the present ethnic crisis. By introducing the concept of pluralism into this area where there is diversity, NPC’s strategy is to uphold the rights and equality of status of these diverse groups living in the area. It is in this sense that the workshop for track 2 level government officials, religious leaders, NGO representatives, local politicians and community leaders etc. who could lead a decisive role in bringing peace, and harmony was held in Ratnapura, to promote pluralistic values in the District.
Description of content: The workshop focused on the following.
• Explaining the objectives and the role of NPC in promoting pluralism followed by presentations and discussions on :
- Understanding pluralism
- Promotion of pluralistic values
- Identifying issues and strategies for promoting pluralism in Rathnapura
- evaluations of the program by the participants
Methodology –
The workshop was conducted through presentations by resource persons based on above topics followed by open discussions with the participants where opportunities were given for questioning and clarifications. The group work was arranged for the participants to identify the main issues in their places of work and to propose remedial measures.
Successes at the Workshop
- The 33 participants of the workshop comprised of the Government Agent, the local political and religious leaders, and many distinguished persons who were very praiseworthy for conducting such an educative program.
- On the presentation on “Understanding pluralism” the resource person was able to show through historical evidence that the current conflict is fueled by beliefs in historical homogeneity that are in direct countenance to historical evidence and the pluralistic values that the program aspires to spread. Participants expressed their appreciation for enhancing their knowledge in this field.
- As for the presentation on promotion of “pluralistic values” the resource person succeeded in creating awareness among participants on many legal, political and constitutional lags that had affected the pluralistic values. This session promoted a very lively discussion and contribution by participants who revealed many issues that need immediate joint action and was appreciative of the information provided.
- The participants showed their appreciation by proposing to work jointly with NPC and 12 of them voluntarily agreed to form into a Committee for follow up action.
- The request by participants to conduct another program on “Pluralism” to enhance their knowledge is an indication of the success of the program that roused their enthusiasm to improve their skills.
- Participants in their evaluation have expressed that they would be able to utilize the knowledge gained to promote pluralism at community level and also in their places of work.
- Participants have requested in their evaluations to conduct this program to tract 3 levels as it is very educative and convincing and also to utilize media, both electronic and press for promotion.
- The success of the workshop is attributed to the field visit undertaken prior to the workshop that enabled to harness an enthusiastic and supportive group of track 2 level participants who voluntarily formed into a committee for future action.
|
