Sri Lankan youth movement completes second global summit
A youth movement for hope and reconciliation, launched in Sri Lanka in 2007, expanded to similar movements in 13 nations of five continents.
Back in 2015, Sri Lanka Unites launched its global branch, Global Unites, to function as the umbrella movement for Unites movements globally. This launch took place at the inaugural conference in Sri Lanka hosted by Sri Lanka Unites.
At the time, Global Unites had one established movement in Sri Lanka Unites, an emerging pledged new movement Congo Unites. From August 5 to 9, Global Unites had its second, summit four years after, to formally recognise and endorse the 13 movements and create a clear strategy for the next four years of operations.
The summit and the movement were committed and purposed with the thought of inspiring, connecting and equipping a new generation of peace builders.
The summit was graced by amazing internationally recognised speakers. They included Erica Chenoweth – Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, Robert Katende – CEO of Som Chess Academy and whose life inspired an acclaimed Hollywood movie, Queen of Katwe, Zoe Marks – Professor in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, Boniface Mwangi – Photojournalist and Activist, Will Graylin – Entrepreneur and CEO of a Fortune 500 Company and Siddharth Chatterjee – UN Resident Coordinator based in Kenya
The founder of Global Unites Prashan De Visser also spoke at a Plenary Session at the summit.
Harvard Professor Erica Chenoweth said this about the movement, “In the midst of fragmented social movement, with limited tactical ability and longterm stamina, Global Unites can be the movement of movements.”
Will Graylin also shared his thoughts, “The potential I see here I have never seen in any global movement and in the development field. Youth leaders taking on their own nations’ challenges with such innovation, idealism and sustainability in mind is simply outstanding.”
Harvard Professor Zoe Marks before addressing the delegates having associated delegates from Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Colombia and Nepal stated, “I am a Harvard Professor working, teaching and learning peace building for the past 12 years but I feel intimidated by all of you. You are the true experts and I am honoured to be here.”
Sri Lanka Unites the flagship movement was represented at the summit by Sinan Uthumalebbe (Eastern Province), Kapila Ramanayake (Southern Province), Aninilavan Puvanesan (Northern Province), Lakmal Sandeepa (Central Province), Ashini De Silva (Uva Province) and Sivashanthi Sivalingam (Western Province.)
The young leaders presented to the rest of the delegation on the progress of the movement and its expansion being the largest youth movement for reconciliation with a membership of 25,000 and a full-time staff of 25, soon to be 50 (with 25 new district coordinators), seven reconciliation centres, soon to be 10 at end-2019 in 10 districts and its recent recognition as a top 20 grassroots movement in the Commonwealth region. Along with the success of the movement, the delegates also shared the challenges, opportunities and new initiatives seeking a transformational impact on a new generation of Sri Lankans.
The event concluded with a colourful closing ceremony at the Louis Leakey Auditorium, which was attended by distinguished guests, all the delegates and young Kenyans. This youth lead initiative that began in Sri Lanka has since established chapters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Liberia and Kenya.
The other nine countries include Israel, the USA, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, Colombia, Nepal and Sierra Leone and they are emerging movements that are well on their way to establishing themselves in their respective countries.
When the summit reconvenes in 2023 the movement aspires to be established in 15 nations with emerging movements in 15 more nations. Global Unites is setting plans to engage five million youth in these nations during the next four years and increase global membership to over 100,000.
Global Unites is now one of the top eight models for youth engagement in the Commonwealth and De Visser has received a Points of Light award from Her Majesty the Queen of England for his work.