"Thirst for Peace" International Seminar on Reconciliation

Genuine Reconciliation Process is the only way forward for a country which has gone through a war for 3 decades. Distrust, pain, and tears created through decades of fighting can be only wiped-off  by extending genuine forgiveness to one and other and restoring justice for all. People of the country itself are the best resource to power the process of reconciliation. YMCA being a people's Association has taken the responsibility of mobilizing young people in the movement and outside to take-up this gigantic challenge ahead of us. YMCA have faith in young people as Great Nelson Mandela said that "A cause supported by youth cannot fail".

"Thirst for Peace" International Seminar on "Reconciliation" held from 5 - 8 September, 2014 at Nature's Resort Waga was organized as an activity of ongoing programme chain which is organized by the YMCA of Pamunugama in cooperation with the Y Global to mobilize and train young people to take part in the country's reconciliation process.

34 young people from Pamunugama (West), Pandatereppu (North), Kurunegala (North Central), Moratuwa (Colombo), Norway (Bronnoysund and Y Global) took part in the 4 day event where number of activities, presentations and discussions took place on the subject of reconciliation in detailed. Most of the events were held through participatory method where young people had group discussions and groups presentations as well as case studies and Mr. Santha Fernado and Mr. Ainsley Joseph two experience resource persons (social activists in the YMCA movement) chipped-in with valuable input sessions. Following topics were taken into consideration during the seminar.

• Introduction to Sri Lankan Conflict
• Challenges for Reconciliation in the post-war Sri Lanka
• International Dynamics in the Sri Lankan conflict
• Attempts made in the past to bring peace
• LLRC Recommendations
• Peace Maker Concept
• Movie on reconciliation (Invictus)

At the last day of the seminar youth made a action planned where they are going to involve in future activities as individual group as well as a collective. YMCA of Pamunugama will fully cooperate with different groups participated the seminar in implementing the actions proposed by the young people at the end of the seminar. A declaration also was signed by all the participants committing themselves for future involvement on the topic and it was named as "Global Peace Maker's Declaration".

Youth attended the seminar shared follow comments at the evaluation on the event and the opportunity which are very promising thoughts that confirms a genuine reconciliation is possible if people have the willingness for it.

• "It is great that we from different ethnic and religious groups can sit and talk on these serious issues. I did not think that it is possible until I came here"
• You come to Jaffna, we will take care of you.
• I learnt that we all have made mistakes and we need to leave those bad memories behind and start forgiving each other and forget what has happen.
• More and more of these kinds of programmes are needed.
• I want to lean Tamil so I can talk with my friends freely.

On Sunday 7 September, 2014 evening the "Young Peace Performers" 18 member group of youth representing 7 countries (attached to Y Global International Exchange Programme) visited the programme and attended the session on "Peace Maker" concept conducted by Sven, Jens and Stian who were the representatives from the Y global. After the session they mingled with the local youth and shared what peace means in their countries through small country presentations.

All the participants were awarded with a certificate for their participation at the end of the seminar and YMCA of Pamunugama would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who helped to make this event a success.

Group Discussions and Presentations

Top: Mr. Santha Fernando and Mr. Ainsley Joseph
Bottom: Sven, Stian and Jens (Y Global representatives)

Group Pic with YPPs

Signing of the Global Peace Makers Declaration

Certificates for participation

Evaluation