Institute of Rural Social Development (IRSD)

IRSD works to promote inter-ethnic understanding and respect in Sri Lanka's Anuradhapura District. They work through childrens clubs, providing activities that unite children of different ethnicities, empowering them as a voice for peace and tolerance, and setting an example for the adults of the area.

Overview

The organisation aims to help find solutions for conflicts that arise in everyday life through mobilising children as an empowered, active group, demanding their rights from the relevant authorities. These conflicts could include those in personal development, such as in a family with dominating parents; in education, arising from wanting or not wanting to receive education and external conditions that make it difficult for individuals to do what they want; or conflicts resulting from being discriminated against because of caste, village, ethnicity or financial status. Furthermore, the organisation aims to promote awareness on human and child rights, and inform the relevant authorities of the problems children face, in order to enable the creation of a better future.

The organisation’s strategy is to use their programmes to create a space for women, children and disabled people to become involved with each other and with the peacebuilding process. This will include people of all ethnicities from different areas, with the aim of eliminating descrimination of all types.

The programmes conducted by the organisation work towards their objectives through developing friendship among children from different areas and ethnicities, thereby sending a message to adults of the power of being united and the beauty of inter-ethnic cooperation.

As a result of their work, 4000 children in the area are registered and actively participating in IRSD programmes conducted by 100 community level clubs that are formed and run by the children themselves. These clubs have networked the children from different religions, ethnicities and areas across the psychological and geographical borders which had previously been the causes of conflict among children and adults.

Though organisational work, IRSD has learnt that awareness programs become more powerful in conveying their message when using practical experience rather than mere informing through teaching, i.e. it is more effective to find novel, active and lively styles of conducting awareness programs that invite the active participation of the target group.

Furthermore, IRSD has experienced that undesirable behaviours, such as alcoholism, can be addressed by providing desirable alternatives, like establishing recreational centres and organising community service activities, which enable these people to use their free time in a fun way that is more in alignment with social harmony and peace.

What Services Are Provided?

• Community level facilitation;
• leadership trainings;
• health trainings;
• skill development trainings;
• team building.

Geographical Area of Operation

Anuradhapura District.

Funding Resources

Save the Children -Sri Lanka, CIDA/Fit.

What Further Information Would You Like?

• Information on different ways of working to promote peace;
• information on different activities that can be used to promote peace and social harmony.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

Contacts with organisations that go along with our values and to network with them.

Associated Organisations

Save the Children - Sri Lanka, CIDA/Fit, Provincial Councils.