‘Navigating Dire Straits’: National HR Conference 2023, organised by CIPM, concludes with resounding success

From left: CIPM CEO U.A.C. Obeyesekere, CIPM Vice President Priyantha Ranasinghe, CIPM President Ken Vijayakumar, Keynote speaker Rolf Blaser, NHRC 2023 Chairman and CIPM Sri Lanka Hony. Secretary Priyankara Seneviratne, National HR Exhibition 2023 Chairman and Council Member Kasun Nahallage, and CIPM Hony. Treasurer Col. (Retd) S. Jayawickrama - Pix by Ruwan Walpola

The highly awaited National Human Resource Conference (NHRC) 2023, which is the nation’s premier event for human resource management, organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Sri Lanka, was held on 21 and 22 June at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura. 

This flagship conference marked its return after a three-year hiatus, attracting a global gathering of esteemed HR professionals and industry representatives. 

The event encompassed six technical sessions, including three-panel discussions, the Great HR Debate, the National HR Exhibition, and the prestigious CIPM Lifetime Gold Award. The conference boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, with A. Baur & Co. Ltd. Managing Director/CEO Rolf Blaser delivering the keynote speech. Giving the keynote address, Rolf Blaser said, “We need to critically evaluate the reasons for our current situation, isolate the factors we can influence, and work hard on them to come out of these ‘Dire Straits’ in a reasonable time.” 

Renowned resource personnel from around the world, including representatives from the Bangladesh Society for Human Resource Management and Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals, participated in the conference, showcasing the interest and enthusiasm of the global and regional HR community in the activities organised by CIPM Sri Lanka. 

The NHRC 2023, hosted by CIPM, served as a platform to discuss and address pressing people management challenges faced by companies today on very critical topics such as How People Management Practices Support Businesses in Navigating Dire Strait; The Impact of the Economic Downturn on People’s Practices; Mass Skilled Migration and its impact on Socio-Economic Development; Lessons from Covid 19 that People professionals should take into the future; Sustainable People Practices and Green Initiatives; and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) – is it a fad or an essential survival tool in an economic crisis? 

“We are delighted to host the NHRC after a lapse of three years. The NHRC is the only dedicated event that brings the entire HR fraternity from all over the country under one roof to discuss people management challenges and arrives at efficient, workable solutions,” stated CIPM Sri Lanka President Ken Vijaykumar. The expert lineup of speakers and panellists at the technical sessions and panel discussions shared valuable insights that helped raise the bar for the HR fraternity in navigating these dire straits.

“The CIPM NHRC 2023 is a platform that enables HR professionals to network and exchange ideas and insights on the challenges companies face and discuss the best approaches and solutions to address them. We are confident that the extensive program that the organising committee has put together will add value to the participants,” commented NHRC 2023 Chairman and CIPM Sri Lanka Honorary Secretary Priyanka Seneviratne.

The National HR Conference 2023 provided attendees with an enriching experience, offering valuable opportunities to learn, network, and engage with thought leaders and peers in the industry. With insightful sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and ample networking prospects, the event proved to be a must-attend for HR professionals and stakeholders. The National HR Conference 2023 fulfilled its mission of facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and innovation within the HR community, setting a solid foundation for future endeavours in human resource management. Official Strategic Partners of the National HR Conference 2023 are Nippon Paint Lanka Ltd., PickMe – Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka Ltd., hSenid Business Solutions PLC.