RAISE IV to address social issues faced by Lankan youth
Education goes beyond the walls of the classroom and the dozen or so years that the child spends in the primary and secondary stages. It is often the stepping stone that propels the younger generation to reach greater heights. Thus, the future of not just these youth but our entire planet hinges on their development.
It is imperative to nurture children to their full potential in order to create leaders of tomorrow and not just robots that slide into a prevalent system. Students today face many more challenges than simply getting good grades - the rise of social media usage, mental health, drug abuse, environmental responsibility et al are all areas that they need to be educated on.
At such an impressionable age, teachers are often the greatest influencers and could play a pivotal role in ensuring that children are guided along the correct path. It is also important to differentiate between education and beneficial knowledge. In this context, a question often arises as to whether Sri Lankan students are on par with the rest of the world and whether our schools have evolved to stay abreast “with the times”. RAISE IV, taking place on February 6, 2020, at Ramada Colombo Hotel, organised by UTO Educonsult, will address some of these issues. This fourth edition of the annual event follows last year’s RAISE III, which centred on the theme “Respect”.
The single-day programme under the theme “Social Integration via Education” will discuss areas critical to many of the social issues facing our youth and the manner in which a proper education system could address, or at the very least mitigate, some of these pressing matters that face contemporary society.
Luminaries in academia as well as corporate and social leaders of repute will deliberate about bridging the gap between education and corporate sectors, the responsibility of reaching out to deprived segments of society, social media and its effects, drug use, nurturing global citizens and many more subjects relevant to today’s climate. Some of the distinguished panellists and presenters at RAISE IV, chaired by Rotary District 3220 Former District Governor Tariq Thulba, include keynote speaker Motivational Speaker and SMM Halcyon Managing Director Mahanama Dodampegama, Almar Teas Joint Managing Director Amanda Lalindra Weerasinghe, Franklin Covey Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Ameer Ahmed, Ilma International Girl’s School Principal Amina Zuhair, IIHE Executive Director and CEO Bradley Emerson, NIBM Computer Science Head Dr. Buddhima Hansinie Subasinghe, Sarvodaya Development Finance Chairman Channa De Silva, My Friend Foundation Co-founder and Hameedia Managing Director Fouzul Hameed, The Grassrooted Trust Director Hans Billimoria, Colombo South Teaching Hospital Consultant Surgeon Dr. Imtiaz Ismail, British Council Education Director Louise Cowcher, Amrak Institute of Medical Sciences CEO Radley Stephen, KPMG Managing Partner Reyaz Mihular, Ministry of Sports Sri Lanka Anti-doping Agency (SLADA) Director General Dr. Seevali Jayawickrama, Business and Financial Journalist Shabiya Ali Ahlam, Power World Gyms Founder and Managing Director Talavou Alailima, Overseas School Colombo Tassy Dahlan, Brandix Lanka Former Board Member Udena Wickremesooriya and UNICEF Education Specialist Yashinka Jayasinghe Alles. While the days’ programme will be of great benefit to principals, staff of schools and academics, student counsellors, corporate CSR executives et al, special emphasis would be on parents and students wherein the topics and presentations in the post-lunch session have been specifically designed with the students in mind. The health impact on today’s youth and what it means for their future, the vulnerability of the current generation and what can be done to protect them, striking the right balance between the commercial and academic aspects of an educational institution, social media, drug use and abuse, and the like are pressing issues that need to be addressed to parents and their children together.
The objectives of the event’s discussions are encapsulated in the acronym RAISE (Reconciliation, Alleviation, Inspiration, Social Responsibility, and Engagement). RAISE IV will also witness the formal launch of a competition among schools and students encapsulating the theme “RESPECT”. Titled “I Respect”, the programme is expected to attract schools from across the island, which we hope would contribute towards a more cohesive and harmonious environment across all strata of society. More details on the conference could be obtained by contacting Shermana on ‘0777668575’ or ‘0775837575’ or ‘shermana@ utoeduconsult.com’.