"Introducing Peace and Conflict Processes" University Course

A programme at the University of Colombo designed to increase inter-ethnic contact and understanding by providing simultaneously-translated lectures in Tamil, Sinhala and English.

Description

The target group of the initiative is the undergraduates of the University of Colombo, to whom it provides a number of introductory courses on peace and conflict-related issues. The students, who follow a minimum of seven course units provided under this programme over three years, will receive a certificate issued by SPARC. Lectures will be conducted in English, Sinhala and Tamil and the students get the opportunity to choose their preferred medium to answer the examination. Lecturers come from eight departments in the Faculty of Arts, thus ensuring the programme's multi-disciplinary nature. These lecturers conduct sessions open to all students. The programme is scheduled to take place every year, with each new student intake.

Aims / Objectives

The students in the university are strongly divided along ethno-linguistic lines. The initiative aims to promote awareness of the ethnic conflict among the undergraduates and to encourage them to associate across ethnic and language boundaries. It aims to create social harmony and a community feeling among the future leaders from all ethnicities by providing the space and time to connect and socially integrate. It appeals to their intellects by promoting knowledge on the present situation of the country and available solutions to the conflict. 

How it is Articulated

The programme was established by Dr. Marcus Mayer and Prof. Hettige after a process of one year's preliminary work, at which point it became a part of the university's curriculum, with a number of courses. Over the years the number of participants and the number of courses has increased, in response to different developments in the country. For example, courses on Post-War Rehabilitation and Negotiation were introduced during the ceasefire agreement, and disaster management and 'Do No Harm' theory were introduced after the Tsunami Disaster.

Achievements / Learning Points

The initiative seeks to increase both awareness of the conflict and interaction between students studying in English, Tamil and Sinhala. Simultaneous translations are provided to enable this.

The process has increased the interaction between the Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil students who are normally estranged from each other as a result of attending lectures conducted in different languages. When the space was provided for them to interact, their communication increased, with a notable improvement in social harmony. SPARC perceived that interaction between students from different ethnicities tended to be strained at the beginning of the course, but that it becomes smoother and more enthusiastic as the students work in inter-ethnic groups. By the end of the semester, the students are eager to maintain their friendships across ethnicities and consequently, they register for more courses offered by SPARC that enable them to attend the same classes.

However, it is difficult to conduct trilingual lectures without the necessary resources. Trilingual or bilingual lecturers in the university are extremely rare and the quality of the lecture is difficult to guarantee unless professional translators are employed. For this reason, more resources are required. Staff who are fluent in Tamil (the other official language) are often expected to play multiple roles as translators when necessary. The programme will have more impact if students from other faculties are also allowed to follow it. Hence increased flexibility and a multi-disciplinary approach from the university will increase the impact and importance of the initiative.

Geographical Area of Operation

University of Colombo.

Funding Resources

Voluntary contribution of time and services by lecturers and infrastructure by the university and SPARC.

Associated Organisations

Faculty of Arts in the University of Colombo, Heidelberg University.