Commonwealth People’s Forum to focus on post-2015 development agenda
Friday, 30 August 2013 03:14
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Forum to promote south-south learning, civil society networking, mentoring opportunity
Learning journeys to Northern, Uva and Southern Provinces for delegates
Commonwealth, GoSL sharing cost of People’s Forum
TRC to sponsor local civil society reps who can’t afford CPF registration
The Commonwealth People’s Forum, a CHOGM 2013 side event, will focus on the post-2015 development agenda, drawing from the experiences of civil society in Sri Lanka and across the Commonwealth of Nations this November.
Addressing a press briefing yesterday, Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) officials said that the event, that will take place in Hikkaduwa from 10-14 November, just before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting kicks off, will be the largest gathering of civil society from across the Commonwealth, and an opportunity for sharing experiences, networking and mentoring.
CPF Chairperson Dr. Lalith Chandradasa said that the forum would focus this year on how the development scenario is changing and deal with emerging development challenges in the post-2015 era, after the Millenium Development Goals timeline runs out.
“Civil society is the alternative government. People will elect governments but it is up to civil society to direct policy and frame the priority areas,” Dr. Chandradasa said. He said three consultations had been held with civil society representatives in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna to discuss emerging issues in those regions.
“That was for the Sri Lankan perspective but the forum will not focus on Sri Lanka per se. But because President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be chairperson of the Commonwealth for the next two years, we hope that the themes emerging will be relevant to Sri Lanka,” the CPF Chairman added.
Since most local NGOs and civil society representatives cannot afford the US$ 120 for registering at CPF, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stepped in to direct the Telecom Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to sponsor any local participants who require assistance.
“As civil society representatives, it is difficult for us to go to the Government and ask for them to pay for us to attend a seminar. But without us asking, President Rajapaksa has made the offer,” the CPF Chairperson said, adding that an advertisement would be published soon calling for registrations and allowing people to apply for financial assistance.
The CPF agenda will also include five learning journeys for delegates, with visits to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Badulla, Galle and Hambantota. A roundtable will also be held with the Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth on 16 November. The Learning Journeys will aim to help delegates understand and learn from the Sri Lankan experience.
The CPF is organised by the Commonwealth Foundation, in association with a consortium of NGOs from Sri Lanka, Sevalanka, Sarvodaya and the Federation of Local Government Authorities with the support of the Sri Lankan Government, CPF officials said.
Themes at this year’s forum will include food security, climate change, diversity, women’s economic empowerment, reconciliation and creative expression, and building employment opportunities. (DB)
