Towards prosperity on the path of national integration

Following is the speech by Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations & Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS) Executive Director Asanga Abeyagoonasekera at the inaugural session of the discussion series on ‘National Policy on Social Integration’

 

Good evening everyone, Prof. G.L. Peiris Minister of External Affairs, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Dr. Jürgen Morhard, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka, Malkanthi Wickremasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration, Dayani Panagoda, distinguished guests ladies and gentleman.

On behalf of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, I warmly welcome Prof. G.L. Peiris, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dr. Jurgen Morhard and all distinguished guests for the inaugural session of the discussion series on ‘National Policy on Social Integration’ jointly organised by Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration and the German Development Cooperation – GIZ.

The Kadirgamar Institute’s Act No. 32 of 2006 has clearly specified the institute should promote and conduct seminars conferences on peace building and reconciliation and this is the reason we stepped forward to be fully engaged on this important work.

Today, we are honoured to partner with the National Languages and Social Integration Ministry, as well as the supporting partner – GIZ, German Development Cooperation in inaugurating a series of discussions in the coming months under themes: Access to education, economic activities, justice and legal resources, safe and secure social environment, physical environment, access to political participation and belonging and responsibility that nurtures a Sri Lankan identity.

Peace building and reconciliation

There could be many dilemmas for social integration or at peace building. Those could differ from individual level, structural, political, religious, geographical and so on. Considering the complexities and contextual peculiarities of conflicts in any society, the process can be tedious, challenging constantly and evolving, therefore it takes a long period of time.

Peace building refers to the long-term project of building peaceful stable communities and societies. This requires building on a firm foundation of justice and reconciliation. Any project and practices aiming social integration need to be relationship-centred; such mechanism should be implemented through a participatory process.

A trust building mechanism, among all ethnic groups need to be expedited through the bottom up approach at village level by the use of community based activities, establishing neighbourhood networks with schools, religious places, community leaders, NGOs that can greatly add to trust building among divided communities.

By identifying how conflicts impact on women and men, social integration programs need to be developed to address their particular needs and concerns. Engaging in prejudice reduction work with groups at all levels of society, from national leaders to local community members and to children in schools need be considered in policy making. Peace builders can continue to support or develop alternative media and communications to share positive stories and opportunities for peace.

Helping people deal with post-war trauma continues to be an important activity at social integration. Education is also a crucial ingredient that assures sustainability, not only should school infrastructure has to restore in war affected areas, the quality of education need to be improved with a value based approach and necessarily with numerous structural changes to the education system in the entire island and also adopting new approaches, such as developing peace education for children.

Path to prosperity

One of my favourite Greek poets Aeschylus wrote: “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

Through suffering one will find wisdom. As a nation we have suffered a lot; now it’s time to rebuild our nation with love, compassion and reconciliation among our communities. We can choose the path for polarisation among our ethnic and religious groups by blaming each other, or we can choose the path to national reintegration, which will lead us to prosperity.

I am certain all our countrymen believe in peace and want to live in harmony with all ethnic and religious groups. We can do well in this country; the vast majority of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and others want to improve quality of our lives.

The challenges what we have are not unique, so many other countries are also facing similar issues.

A couple of days ago in Geneva during the global network directors meeting, I proposed the topic of post conflict reconciliation to be included in their agenda which was passed by a majority vote among the other members. Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and many more nations are going through this struggle and I think we need to find solutions which we all can learn and apply to our own country.

Finally I thank everyone who is supporting this great initiative. Thank you.