|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Report |
LAST UPDATE April 18, 2007
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| March 18, 2007 |
South Asian International Students – Conflict Resolution |
|
| |
 |
| A theatre play illustrating the current Sri Lankan political climate |
Between the ports of Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, seven South Asian International Students (IS) and facilitator Dr Mario Gomez were invited onboard Peace Boat to engage in forums, workshops and discussions on conflict resolution in their region. The objective of this programme is to provide a neutral environment for young NGO activists from different sides of a conflict to give their personal perspectives and opinions. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| South Asian IS during a conflict resolution discussion panel |
The students, representing Sri Lanka and India, had varying backgrounds, different religions yet all work in human rights or civil society organizations or study non-violent conflict resolution. Peace Boat participants were privileged to interact on a very personal level with these young people who have experienced a life very different from their own, and to hear first-hand testimonies they otherwise may not have the opportunity to hear. |
| |
 |
| Peace Boat participants and South Asian IS devise a constitution for a nation through a series of workshops |
In a series of conflict training workshops to form a constitution for a fictional nation, the IS along with other Peace Boat participants formed small discussion groups, each representing a particular ethnicity within that country with set perimeters. They together tackled this challenging activity over three sessions to come up with a constitution. Despite a language barrier and often differing opinions, through patience and negotiation an agreed constitution was developed taking into account what was fair and beneficial for all groups. |
| |
 |
| Three South Asian IS share their personal memories of the tsunami disaster |
A presentation was given by three IS members who were directly affected by the tsunami disaster of December, 2004. For the first time they told their personal accounts of what happened that day. Peace Boat participants were moved by the emotional stories of each student’s private losses and admired the students’ willpower and strength to rebuild their lives, with many participants saying “I can’t begin to imagine what they went through, personally I would not cope.” |
| |
 |
| Traditional songs and dances were performed as part of Sri Lanka Night on the eve of arriving in Colombo |
Other presentations focused on the current conflict in Sri Lanka. The reasons for continued violence in the northern region and what was expected to happen in the future was discussed in a forum led by Dr Mario Gomez with comments and opinions put forth by the South Asian IS. In addition to workshops and lectures, there were sessions for cultural exchange that ranged from language and song study to the complexities of draping a sari. On the night before arriving in Colombo, a Sri Lankan Night was held onboard where many participants enjoyed a concert with traditional music and dance performances. |
| |
|
|
|
