Workshop on Research in Reconciliation and Coexistence- Setting the Agenda
Held on 15th September 2009 at the Marga Auditorium
Numerous actors and activities have intervened in diverse manner to promote ethnic harmony since the beginning of the ethnic conflict in the country. The end of the military operations is likely to have created new perceptions, new attitudes that call for new approaches to restore the inter –communal understanding that prevailed before the conflict. The workshop sponsored by FLICT aimed at seeking new approaches to meet emerging needs. The main output expected was an agenda for future research and activities that would fill the gaps in knowledge, assess past programmes and identify new strategies that would promote and strengthen the process of reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
The output emerged from the content of the discussions. The central theme of reconciliation was defined as a process of accepting culpability by all parties to the conflict as a prerequisite for coexistence. The value overtones in such a concept suggested a direction for discussion that explored the common values in all religions. The ultimate aim was to develop a Sri Lankan identity which unifies and at the same time provides space for cultural and religious identities.
The core religious values of the four major religions, irrespective of their doctrinal differences were considered as providing a strong ethical foundation and the moral imperatives for a process of peace and reconciliation.
The workshop was therefore, organized with presentations of the points of view of each major religion, assessment of the activities, followed by group discussions that gave direction for future activities.
The intensive preparatory interaction with the group leaders appears to have created space for a common endeavour to reach out to a collective future untrammeled by past bitterness. The participants therefore, have the potential to form a core group that can take forward programmes for reconciliation and building relationships.
