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South Asian activists discuss youth politics, communalism
LAHORE: A regional conference was held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Saturday during which speakers from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives spoke on topics ranging from youth politics, communalism, online harassment of women to regional connectivity, flood relief and more.
Organised jointly by AGHS Legal Aid Cell, Voicepk.net and South Asians for Human Rights, the hybrid conference with international speakers joining online was attended by hundreds of students, activists, journalists and lawyers.
The first session, ‘Challenges to youth participation in politics in South Asia’, was moderated by Prof Dr Ammar Ali Jan. Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement chairman Manzoor Pashteen and student activist Sadia Baloch said the state and establishment had drawn red lines for youth participation in politics, which, if crossed, was met with violence, enforced disappearances and oppression.
Historian Sumail Singh Sidhu from India and activist Prabodha Rathnayaka from Sri Lanka participated through a video link.The second session, ‘Digital witch-hunts: who is the churail?’, was moderated by lawyer Reema Omer.
Journalist Nidhi Razdan from India said online harassment of women was common among South Asian nations, adding the ruling BJP was behind a troll campaign against her.
Journalist Gharidah Farooqi said online harassment was not limited to trolling, but could turn into real-life violence, and accused the formerly ruling PTI of organising campaigns against her. Activist Ahmed Tholal from the Maldives mentioned impunity for those responsible for online harassment of women.
Journalist Munizae Jahangir sought accountability for those spreading hate speech.Activist Damith Chandimal from Sri Lanka and Bangladeshi anchor Naznin Munni also spoke through video links.
Senior lawyer Saroop Ijaz moderated the session, titled ‘Role of the state in communalism’. Activist Dev Desai observed despite India being the largest democracy, it had different laws for its minorities.Dr Ayra Indrias Patras from the FC College said women from the minority communities had to convert for the sake of their husbands’ lives in ostracisation.
Maheen Paracha from HRCP said Pakistani state had since its inception systematically alienated minorities, and noted a worrying rise in communalism in the last four years, especially against the Ahmadi community.Activist Shreen Saroor from Sri Lanka and lawyer Mohammad Tajul Islam from Bangladesh also participated in the discussion.
The session, ‘Closed borders, open websites’, was moderated by digital rights activist Usama Khilji. Activist Muhammad Tahseen called for continued efforts to open borders in South Asia. Bangladeshi lecturer Muhammad Saimum Reza Talukder believed the state, citizens and digital platforms shared a responsibility when existing in online spaces.
Seerat Khan from the Digital Rights Foundation talked about limited access to the internet, especially for women. Digital rights activist Aisha Sarwari held that only a tyrannical government would resort to restricting the freedoms of its citizens.Journalist Munizae Jahangir moderated the session titled ‘Digital education in the age of the Taliban’.
Activist Dr Orzala Ashraf Nemat from Afghanistan said the Taliban remained unmoved by international pressure over the ban on girls’ education, adding working women were not being paid to systematically exclude them from the workforce.Young Afghan activist Pashtana Durrani said girls were protesting in Herat against the ban on them going to school.
Educational rights campaigner Ibrash Pasha from Lower Dir recalled how during the Talibanisation in 2005, community school teachers were afraid of going for training, adding now there was an uprising by people against the reemergence of Taliban in Swat.
Joining online from the UK was education activist and one of the two girls shot at alongside Malala Yousufzai in Swat, Kainat Riaz, while South Waziristan activist Shad Begum also spoke.The last session, titled ‘Disaster relief through digital platforms’, was moderated by Usama Khilji.
Activist Bushra Mahnoor narrated how along with fellow panelist Anum Khalid she used social media to launch a campaign for provision of sanitary pads for flood-affected women. Kahlid also suggested removal of import duty from sanitary pads.
Talking about the Progressive Students Collective’s flood relief activities, its president Qaisar Javed shared how they used Facebook and Twitter to connect with flood-affected people across the country.
(The Dawn)
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
