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UNDP’s ExtremeLives series is back with transformative stories of youth from Lanka and Maldives
The UNDP and the European Union launched the 4th season of the much anticipated ExtremeLives video series recently.
This season showcases stories of individuals from Maldives and Sri Lanka, who, against all odds, have transformed their lives to overcome some of the most pressing personal challenges in their communities. Issues of drug abuse, hate and inequalities are amongst the topics that are explored through first-person storytelling in local languages, UNDP said.
“Over the last few years, multiple shocks have shaken the world, making people more apprehensive about their future, their welfare, their values.” highlights the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Denis Chaibi.
“In this context, we are all at risk of losing our humanity and critical judgement. This is why the EU funded UNDP program is showing how vulnerable people managed to get through difficult times. We hope that these lives will inspire many people who find a safe path through peaceful social inclusion.”
The videos are developed to invoke viewers’ empathy with the characters, inspire youth from South Asia to explore solutions to their own challenges, needs and aspirations to make positive changes in their lives and communities. To increase the resilience of its viewers, the videos subsequently offer digital resources, including tips on well-being and mental health and links to volunteering, interests and job opportunities.
“UNDP is proud of its partnership with the EU on the launch of another Season of ExtremeLives. Togetherwe have designed and produced the new season of the ExtremeLives focusing on stories of people in Maldives and Sri Lanka using the people-centred approaches of behavioural science to address root causes of radicalization in South Asia,” said Robert Juhkam, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka.
“We hope that this series will serve as an inspiration for youth in Sri Lanka and become an important driver of positive changes in the communities across the region.”
This season has been designed and produced differently from other ExtremeLives videos. Through investment in behaviour analysis and measurement activities, UNDP aimed for the videos to target young people vulnerable to violent extremist narratives.
Key messages on positive behaviors were promoted with the objective to encourage and contribute to the resilience of communities to violent extremism in South Asia. As part of its M&E strategy, UNDP has developed a survey adopting an innovative method of gamification. The format of the video game is interactive and engaging for the target audience, allowing UNDP to collect important behavior insights from viewers in the region.
“In the past year, important steps have been taken by UNDP and the EU towards the integration of behavioural science in measuring the impact of P/CVE initiatives in Asia,” said Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in the Maldives.
“ExtremeLives in its 4th edition extracts first-time insights from a deeper point of view that looks at behaviours and what shapes them to better inform preventive actions to mitigate the insurgence and spread of violent extremism in South Asia. Our partnership with the EU and Maldives national partners working in this space is a natural match as we look into leveraging knowledge and sharing of experiences in the joint fight against violent extremism”.
The ExtremeLives is a flagship initiative of the EU funded UNDP “Preventing Violent Extremism through Promoting Tolerance and Respect for Diversity” project in Asia. It offers positive alternative narratives and operates through empowering communities to address various forms of social, political and economic marginalization, which can create ground for radicalization and extremism.
The ExtremeLives series first launched in 2018 and spans across six countries in Asia.
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
