November, 2009, (or sooner) will bear witness to the Sri Lankan Peace and Reconciliation Summit which is based on the principles derived from MEDP's IAIPAT program and research. Transparent communication between the three largest spheres of political influence (government, opposition to government for independence, civil society) which are typically causing violence is a necessity for peace to ever be reached. 

MEDP's Sri Lankan Summit is about gathering politicians, leaders of the opposition, senior civil society staff, intellectuals, general citizens, professionals, the media, and interest groups for strategic talks over seven days. The Summit's goal is to result with an action-plan document which will be easy to understand so that all Sri Lankans may work together to achieve peace.

Issues tabled include the documentation of grievances and concerns. Following that will be the documentation of the principles required for peace to be achieved. If any areas of contentiousness arise, the summit will make arrangements for some of the planned workshops to diverge into developing practical solutions to these problems. By the end of the conference, a constitutional document will be drafted, ratified, and signed by all parties if an agreement can be reached. The agreement is not for an outright settling of disputes as these elements take time and discussion with the citizens of Sri Lanka. The agreement to the result of the Summit (the constitution) is the acknowledgment of a realistic action plan for peace and the agreement on immediate steps to be taken. 

For peace to be actualized, all parties involved must be present and must make the effort to educate fellow Sri Lankans about the importance of dissipating revenge, the advantages and disadvantages of forming an independent province or country for separatists, and the necessity for an overall increase in democracy throughout Sri Lanka.

If a long term process of transparency and accountability can be achieved between government and citizen by this Summit, both peace and reconciliation will have a greater likelihood of success. It is crucial that the quality of representation increases so that democracy can be improved in Sri Lanka  in order for the government  to gain a better sense of how to resolve disputes based on the equal and plural will of its citizenry.  

The Sri Lankan Peace & Reconciliation Summit encourages Sri Lankans to register their practical ideas for greater peace, democracy, reconciliation, transparency, accountability, anti-corruption, equality, and justice.

To register, please click here and complete the form. Alternatively, you can register by clicking 'conference registration' under the 'registration' button.