In 2009 Sri-Lanka finally emerged from the spoils of a 30 year ethnic war that ravaged the island, and since then many have endeavoured to cement and recover from the damage that the war wrought on the everyday lives of people. One of the groups that was most neglected was youth who were left confused about the war and also without hope for the future.An organization that has managed to attempt to find a solution for both these dilemmas is “Sri-Lanka Unites”. This organization is youth-centred and has successfully managed in the last 4 years to host conferences that focus on reconciliation. The mantra behind the group revolves around building trust among young people and their peers regardless of ethnicity and religion. Such a powerful message attempts to mobilize and empower young people and therefore these conferences are vital, because they bring together youth from different parts of the island who would never have met otherwise, to one platform and to act as one voice.
The conference this year was held in Jaffna, and is poignant because such a feat would have been unthinkable just 5 years ago when the war was ongoing. This conference for many was their first exposure to Northern Sri Lanka and this is vital because research shows that over 70% of Sri Lankan youth do not have a friend outside their ethnic or religious group. The lack of exposure to other cultures coupled with years of inherited prejudice makes the FLC experience crucial in the journey towards reconciliation. Hence this was a golden opportunity not just to learn and celebrate a shared “Sri Lankan” culture but also to hear the perspective of proven student leaders from across the nation. Throughout the 5-day conference students grappled with various issues and challenges to reconciliation and change in Sri Lanka. The passion, intellect and commitment depicted by the students for conflict transformation was an assurance that violent conflict will be strictly restricted to the past if the country continues to nourish its youth Over 400 student leaders , 80 volunteers , 60 teachers , 40 Sri Lanka Unites team members from every district , ethnicity , religion , caste and creed came together to prove that a new generation dares to unite. Sri Lankans from across the nation and around the world contributed either expertise or donations and hoped to be a part of the solution and contribute towards leading Sri Lanka out of decades of conflict. They gathered in the glorious city of Jaffna, a former war zone but now to those at FLC4 the oasis that rekindled their passion for lasting peace, justice, equality and reconciliation. The hope is that the youth will appreciate diversity and realize the richness and value that can be brought from a multi-cultural harmonious nation that is united under one identity but one that respects, understands and seeks to cultivate others.
