humanityashore.com

By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness…..all the good things” ~Maya Angelou-Poet, dancer, film producer, television producer, playwright, film director, author, actress and autobiographer. (b: April 4th 1928-)

Peacebuilding and Development Institute in Sri Lanka (PDISL) successfully conducted its second year training session on Integrating Conflict, Gender and Development and another parallel course Frameworks and Skills in Peace building. The core courses were held at Blue Oceanic Hotel in Negombo from 24th of August 2009- 28th of August 2009. Both courses comprised participants from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and United States of America.

The first ever training session was conducted in April& May 2007. The core courses were Youth & Conflict: Integrating Youth in Peacebuilding Training, and the second week course was on International Training in design, Monitoring and Evaluation for Peacebuilding and Conflict Sensitive Development.

I was offered a full scholarship by the Peacebuilding and Development Institute in Sri Lanka in 2007 and 2009. As a recipient of the scholarship, I had the pleasure of meeting the peace builders from the region, who shared their experiences and networking.

The natutre too, set the scenes for peacebuilding: Fresh flower-sheath of a coconut tree in Negombo shore

Peacebuilding plays a unique role towards moving towards recovery from conflict.

The Peacebuilding and Development Institute in Sri Lanka (PDISL) was inaugurated in 2007 in Sri Lanka. It is the first institute which provides training and learning opportunities on conflict, peacebuilding and development in the region. It provides a regional and local perspective to peacebuilding and development. The institute is supported by the Peacebuiding and Development Institute of American University, Cordaid and International Alert.

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest source. I salute the Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love”. ~ Mahathma Gandhi-Non- violent activist and leader. October 2nd 1869-January 30th 1948

Participants of Integrating Conflict, Gender and Development – 2009

Participants of Frameworks and Skills in Peace building – 2009

After an interactive panel discussion

Squirrels looking for munch in the morning

Rainbow in Negombo

Created by participants, which explains how Gender, Conflict and Development are intergrated

Participants during an interactive session

Catamaran boats are specially used for fishing in Negombo

Moondraam Pirai (Third day of the new moon) in Negombo

Surfing at dusk

Time for jogging

Introductions by the participants

A little boy is seen swimming among the big waves

Sunset in Negombo

Musicians at night

Bonfire on the sea shore at night

____________________________________________
HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com