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US promoting ‘sustainable solutions to local challenges’
The US embassy yesterday (16) announced the launch of what it called the Creative Catalyst Fellowship (CCF) meant to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The embassy said that the programme sought to form a community of creative professionals capable of pioneering sustainable solutions to local challenges.
The fellowship is supported by the Promoting Positive Information (PRO-INFO) activity, funded by USAID Sri Lanka through the Civil Society and Media Strengthening Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) mechanism, and implemented by IREX to support a more democratic and responsive media environment in Sri Lanka.
Good Life X (GLX), is an innovation and development catalyst, geared to build a new wave of life-enhancing initiatives in South Asia. The company provides critical knowledge and expertise to rapidly advance the prospects of startups, SMEs and investors focusing on regeneration and innovation through their solutions.
The following is the text of the statement issued by the US embassy: “Good Life X (GLX) announced the launch of The Creative Catalyst Fellowship (CCF) at Trace Expert City today. The program, funded by the U.S. Government’s development arm – the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks innovative solutions to social issues, harnessing the power of creatives to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and advocate for positive change.
Asta Zinbo, Director of the Office of Governance and Vulnerable Populations at USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives, delivered opening remarks, highlighting, “Sri Lanka, the region, and the world are facing complex problems such as how to protect our climate and environment. We need new solutions. We are so excited to support this first group of ten fellows from different backgrounds to channel their creative energy to develop constructive solutions and raise public awareness to inspire positive change. We are eager to see the results of the Creative Catalyst Fellowship next year.”
Through a seven-month fellowship, fellows will confront norms and advocate for change. Thematic cohorts, beginning with this year’s focus on climate action and sustainability, will offer tailored opportunities for fellows to contribute to dialogue and narratives that can positively affect Sri Lanka’s future. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the program seeks to form a community of creative professionals capable of pioneering sustainable solutions to local challenges.
CCF program manager, Emma de Silva, provided an overview of the program’s structure, which includes a residency program, intensive mentoring, and an exhibition at the end of the fellowship. Randhula de Silva, Founder and CEO of GLX, stated, “Creativity bridges disciplines, transforming abstract ideas into tangible advancements, offering us a path forward where imagination and intellect combine to address the pressing issues we have in hand and shape a brighter future for all. This is the intention of this first of a kind program.”
The launch event featured a panel discussion with Emma de Silva of GLX, Anuki Premachandra of the USAID-supported PRO-INFO project, Irushi Tennekoon an illustrator, animator and educator and Muditha Katuwawala, Founder and Coordinator of The Pearl Protectors. The panel emphasized the need for continued engagement of Sri Lanka’s creative community to positively contribute to building a climate-positive Sri Lanka.
Applications are now open for this year’s cohort. The program seeks experienced creative people from a variety of disciplines—including fine arts, digital arts, photography, film, crafts, performing arts, writing, gaming, poetry, and pottery—who are eager to drive transformative change. More information on the fellowship can be found on goodlifex.com/glx-program/ccf-climate-positive/.
Follow @inspire.with.ccf on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, for all updates. The Creative Catalyst Fellowship will be regularly updated through the program’s dedicated social media pages.
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
