University of Virginia MBA students learn integration and reconciliation in Sri Lanka

The MBA students of the University of Virginia visited Sri Lanka and held discussions with the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation on 11 January to study the reconciliation projects and programs initiated by the Government.

About 20 MBA students headed by Prof. Marc Modica participated in the knowledge sharing program at the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation. The participants studied about innovative interventions such as an integration-friendly school program, peace journalism and integration-friendly media program, District Reconciliation Committee with inter-religious leaders to address ethnic and religious tensions, National Integration Week, reconciliation declaration, seven core virtues of reconciliation and a reconciliation-focused economic empowerment program initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The knowledge sharing session also addressed the challenges in reconciliation. The participants were interested in interventions that addressed regional disparities. The briefing was also centred on the importance of results-based management and development evaluations as part of the learning exercise. 

The ministry officials who participated included Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy and Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation Deputy Director Somasiri Ekanayake and Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation Assistant Director Vaidehi Anushyanthan.