Zonta Club 1 of Colombo hosts symposium on sustainable livelihoods for women

Zonta Club 1 of Colombo will host a symposium on ‘The Role of Business in Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods for Women’ on 20 July at the Renuka Hotel, Colombo. This full-day program is powered by SAGT Colombo and will feature renowned business leaders and social entrepreneurs in industries of ICT, Hospitality, Apparel, Services, and Food. 

In celebration of its 50th anniversary of service in Sri Lanka, the Zonta Club 1 of Colombo will carry out a series of strategic activities over the year 2016-2017. Of these activities, the Livelihood Symposium is scheduled to ignite interest in the private sector to create sustainable livelihoods for women, especially in vulnerable communities. 

The keynote discussion will be held by MAS Kreeda Director/CEO Sarinda Unanboowe and Lanka Social Ventures CEO Dr. Lalith Welamedage and chaired by International Finance Corporation Operations Manager Rathnija Arandara. Other business leaders will include Jetwing Blue Director/GM Hyacinth Gunawardena and Saraii Village CEO Charitha Abeyratne Hettiarachchi for Tourism; Selyn Handlooms Founder and Chairman Sandra Wanduragala and Brandix Lanka Ltd. Head of Development Nilangani De Silva for Apparel; Dialog Axiata PLC Group Sustainability Head Charitha Ratwatte Jr and Sarvodaya Fusion General Manager Isura Silva for Information Communication Technology (ICT); Mas Foods Founder and CEO Mario de Alwis and MJF Foundation Manager of Strategic Development Thamindri de Silva for Food; Grasshoppers Founder and CEO Dulith Herath and Good Market Co-Founder Dr. Amanda Kiessel for Services; and Sanasa Bank Chairperson Samadanie Kiriwandeniya and Chief Human Resource Officer, HNB/Trustee – HNB Sustainability Foundation Chiranthi Cooray for Banking.

Each industry expert will share best practices concerning their respective industry. 

The sustainable livelihoods approach is an attempt to go beyond conventional definitions and approaches to poverty eradication which primarily focus on certain aspects or manifestations of poverty, such as low income without consideration of other vital aspects of poverty such as vulnerability and social exclusion. This approach recognises that more attention must be paid to the various factors and processes which either constrain or enhance the person’s ability to make a living in an economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable manner and it aims to take a holistic perspective in determining problems and opportunities for program activities. 

Speaking on the Livelihood Symposium, President of Zonta Club 1 of Colombo, Enakshi Kotagama said the event will be ideal for business executives, managers, and even students who are passionate towards creating livelihood opportunities in Sri Lanka. She believes that Zonta is a powerful advocate for change in local communities, thereby transforming the world and women’s place in it. “Over the last 50 years, work undertaken by Zonta Club 1 of Colombo has empowered women through multifaceted interventions focused on key issues affecting Sri Lankan women. This symposium, too, will explore how advancing sustainable livelihoods for women has positive impacts towards a sustainable growth model for Sri Lanka,” said Kotagama. The Club believes that by shaping the lives and livelihoods of women, it will impact their lives, their children’s lives and uplift their communities. SAGT, as a partner of the program, believes that this program will bring some of the finest leaders to shed light in the area of sustainability. Commenting on it, SAGT CEO Erwin Haaze said, “SAGT is proud to partner with Zonta Club 1 of Colombo for this Livelihood Symposium centred on empowering women in our community. At SAGT, we too have many initiatives that foster the same belief. We believe that businesses can create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and have no doubt that the Panel of Business Leaders will inspire the minds of the many attendees at this forum.”

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, 20 July at Renuka City Hotel, Colombo. The program will include lunch and two tea breaks; each ticket is priced at Rs. 2,500 nett per participant. A concessionary rate of Rs. 1,500 nett will be offered to students. For registrations and enquiries, e-mail [email protected]. Follow updates on the event via its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ZontaClub1Colombo/ and dedicated event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/319007515194643/.