ICF Sri Lanka Empowers Youth to Cultivate Leadership for Social Justice

Last Updated (Wednesday, 18 December 2024 17:06)

ICF Sri Lanka Empowers Youth to Cultivate Leadership for Social Justice

The ICF Sri Lanka alumni successfully conducted the five-day thematic workshop on Building Leadership for Social Justice in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from November 24-28, 2024, with the Kandy YMCA. The Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF), an Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCA project, supported the workshop.  Twenty participants participated in the workshop: ten female, nine male, and one transgender woman. The participants represented various faiths: four Buddhists, five Christians, six Hindus, and five Muslims.

The thematic workshop began with an opening ceremony highlighting the traditional lighting of an oil lamp and a traditional dance performance. Rev. Saman Perera, President of the National Council of YMCA Sri Lanka, gave the welcome address., along with Rev. Rasika Jayarathna, Kandy YMCA President, and Dr. Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro, ICF Coordinator. Mr. Lalantha Jayasinghe, General Secretary of Kandy YMCA, presented the YMCA's vision, mission, and key programs. Annika Denkmann, Bftw Seconded Personnel, made a presentation on the work of APAY and ICF. The fellowship dinner followed the opening ceremony. After dinner, the organizing team gave a brief orientation on the workshop program and proceeded with the participants' acquaintance, setting expectations and the ground rules.

On the second day, Ms. Tharushi Dishara, a human rights activist and consultant at the Centre for Society and Religion, facilitated the session on human rights, freedom of expression, and restrictive laws in Sri Lanka. She guided the participants in drafting a letter to political leaders, outlining their concerns and recommendations on the specific law. Additionally, the participants watched a documentary about the Sri Lankan Civil War to deepen their understanding.

Mr. Ruki Fernandez, an educator and human rights activist, continued discussions on social justice on the third day of the workshop. The participants formed small groups to present a role-play of significant events related to human rights violations in Sri Lanka and some other countries like New Zealand. After the role-play exercises, they reflected on the issues brought about by the role-play. The participants also watched "Walkout," a 2006 film based on a true story of how students organized walkouts to protest injustices prevalent in the schools and to claim their educational rights.

The participants went out in three groups on the fourth day for community visits.  One group went to a mosque in Digana, the second group went to the Hanthana Estate, and the third group went to the Human Rights Office in Kandy. The participants, staff, and the organizing team had a productive interaction with the communities, learning from their experiences and the challenges they faced. After the community visits, the participants also visited temples and religious places, which provided an opportunity to learn and understand the different spiritual practices of the religions existing in Kandy.

On the last day, the participants reflected on their experiences and findings during the community visit. The session on making action plans followed. The participants formed four groups to brainstorm their doable projects for their communities. In the afternoon, the evaluation took place. The day ended with a vibrant cultural event organized by the participants, celebrating the group's diversity of backgrounds and talents. The performances highlighted the unity and shared vision of the participants, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. The participants received their certificates of participation for their active participation during the workshop. The ICF alumni organizing team, staff, and Kandy YMCA also received certificates of appreciation, recognizing everyone's efforts and dedication.

This workshop served as a platform for young leaders to gain critical skills in advocacy, communication, and leadership while fostering a strong network of like-minded individuals committed to social justice. Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to connect with professionals and peers, emphasizing the enriching experience. The initiative reflects the YMCA's dedication to empowering youth to drive meaningful social change in their communities.

Yoosuf Yuhana

Thematic Workshop November 2024

Sri Lanka