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Lankan professionals discuss global urbanization challenges in low & middle income countries
Dr. Locana Gunaratna leads drafting of international policy paper on subject
Urbanization refers here to rural-urban migration taking place in the Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The growth of urban population has been a subject of serious discussion in recent years at international level. In 2015, UN member states adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) among which SDG 11 was about sustainability of cities. In 2016, a ‘New Urban Agenda’ was endorsed by the UN General Assembly. These two events bind all countries to promote those recommendations for the safety, health and well being of all living in highly populated cities around the world.
Urbanization in the LMIC’s is causing much concern to the Governments of these countries and also internationally. Some countries experiencing overcrowded cities can be found in Brazil, India , Bangladesh, Kenya and many other LMICs. Though urbanization was associated with industrialization in the 19th Century Europe which often resulted in economic growth of those countries, such benefits are not seen in most LMIC’s.
It can be said that all citizens are entitled to live in a healthy environment, have access to clean water and sanitation and be safe regardless of their social and economic status. Unhealthy living conditions and unsafe environments can have a detrimental impact not only on adults and their economic output but more so on the growth and development of the younger populations living in overcrowded slum areas of the LMIC’s.
An International policy statement on Urbanization in the LMICS was prepared at the instance of the Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP) which is the apex body of science academies worldwide. The Statement was drafted by an international ‘Working Group’ of 18 subject experts drawn from 16 countries across the globe. Those experts were selected by the IAP from nominees made by member Science Academies in the LMICs as well as those in the industrialized countries. The serious question posed to them was whether the neglect of rural areas and the adversities of urbanization can be addressed and reduced or eliminated.
That Group worked on-line for two years under the chairmanship of a Sri Lankan expert – Dr Locana Gunaratna. In fact, the subject had originally been proposed by him, forwarded by the National Academy of Sciences Sri Lanka to the IAP in 2020 and accepted by them for serious consideration. This was a first for our Academy – the NASSL. The outcome of that effort – a draft Policy Statement was circulated by the IAP after close scrutiny to all member Science Academies worldwide.
It was endorsed by the required majority those Academies including those in some of the most industrialized countries. The Policy statement was then formally launched by the IAP at an international event held in Trieste, Italy on October 5, 2022 where Dr Gunaratna was invited to present a condensed version of the Statement.
The National Academy of Sciences Sri Lanka together with the Institute of Town Planners Sri Lanka hosted the local launch of this Policy Statement and a discussion on it. That event was held at the Auditorium of the Organization of Professional Association (OPA) on November 18. Many relevant and interested professionals and scientists were present at that occasion.
At this event too Dr Gunaratna presented a summarized version of the Statement and also briefly discussed some positive implications of this policy for Sri Lanka. The successful implementation of such a policy would surely benefit our country, but long-term planning and visionary leaders with unwavering political will are needed, he said.
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
