Participation

Outcomes

Dialogues/workshops relating to peace and reconciliation

The youth of Katana and Miriswatte Methodist Churches
Youth from various Christian denominations

We were able to encourage the youth to identify their social responsibility in light of the bible
Were able to widen the scope of the thinking patterns of the youth. Knowledge was given to the youth to work in the different situations in their respective churches.

A month long programme, “Let us think”, held to develop the dialogues and cooperation between youth of the North and East Organized by the Methodist Church Sri Lanka and the Mahabodhi Sangamaya in association with the Department of National Languages and Humanities.

August 2010

50 youth from Jaffna and Kilinochchi areas who were affected by war, 35 pre school teachers from the same area, youth from the South and religious leaders

Knowledge of computer, English and accounting was given to the 50 youth from the North, over a month’s period.

The 35 teachers were given the opportunity to study the internationally renowned Yoshida course on education and to obtain the relevant diploma.

All parties were able to participate in singing, dancing, and acting from Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil cultures, as well as to experience different foods. They were also able to form strong bonds with each other.

The youth from the North were given the opportunity to share their experiences of the war with the Sinhala and Muslim youth, which helped in relieving inner conflict.

We were, as a Christian society, able to create new attempts at reconciling youth from the North and South.

Around 10 youth were given career opportunities by the Department of Languages and Humanities.

Posters/handbills against alcohol and drugs

The Methodist Church and other Christian denominations

Commenced working with the institute responsible for action against alcohol and smoking.
Steps have been taken to give out knowledge through Sunday Schools and Wesley Guilds of the Methodist Church.

Interventions on behalf of Justice and Peace

Assisted where necessary by participating in and organizing meetings, dialogues, and prayer sessions for victims of injustice, and protest rallies against those who caused these injustices.

Inter religious programmes organized by the Justice and Peace Unit

The MCSL has been in the process of initiating inter-religious dialogues, and at present, is continuing this with the assistance of various entities. This process is done without the influence of any political backgrounds. Therefore, it has been received with great enthusiasm in many areas of the society.
The MCSL networks with the Maha Bodhi Sangamaya and the Religion Conference, as well as other regional institutes dealing with inter-religious activities.

Interfaith local initiatives – Promoting Dialogue

1. Building / continuing relationship with religious
2. Seminar for Religious Leaders
3. C. Face to face event with community
4. Develop action plan and implementation

Gampaha/Galle/Kaluthara/
Badulla/

Monaragala/Kandy/Matale/Hatton

Rathnapura/Balangoda/  Kurunegala/
Puttalam/Batticaloa/ Trincomalee/
Jaffna/Kilinochchi/ Anuradhapura
Ampara/Mahiyanganaya

Focus on religious values for the purpose of a faith dialogue
To build a more clear agreement between religious leaders and improve dialog

These activities are implemented in 10 Regions
A network  with 100 religious leaders
Focus has been given to how the different faith groups react to conflicts and urgencies that arise in their respective areas.
Due to dialogues between the lay men and religious leaders, both parties are involved in more important social activities.
After the war, Buddhist priest agreed to respond to the problems of the people and make statements that would enforce mutual trust between the minorities
New dialogues were established with religious leaders who had connections with us, as well as those who did not, in all districts.

Building local capacities for peace

1. Monthly discussions with civil society leaders and youth Leaders
2. Social Awareness Programmes for youth Leaders
3. Conducting district level social welfare activities-
4. Advocacy event

Published  a Inter religious newspaper (Dham Sara /Power of faith)

1. Produced and  released a CD on Religious values Sinhala and Tamil  languages. 

Inter Religious calendar With attractive paintings about  spirituality and justice
Conducting Social awareness programme – TOT

1. Capacity building sessions for civil society groups
2. Activities for youth and elderly children
3. School - to -community peace outreach programmes
4. Activities or mothers and women (district level)

To fortify youth, women, students, children and civil societies towards social justice and ethnic and social harmony by focusing on the core values of faiths
Enforce the people for building peace and justice

A deep acknowledgement of the core values of each faith was given to build social justice and peace between ethnic groups.
Youth leaders have volunteered to confront future conflicts by identifying them before-hand and resolving them through the core values of their faiths.
Inter-relationships have built up between youth leaders due to them being exposed to the experiences and challenges of the other districts.
Youth groups, women, food manufacturers, service providers, environmental and cultural groups have been enforced to confront complex situations in the society and to build harmony between faith groups.
Rallies and meetings were called to protect democracy
Through these meetings and rallies, a voice was given to those who were not strong enough to speak up to injustice and a strength was given to fight for their rights.
A unity is being built to respond spiritually to the North-South dialogue.