The Business for Peace Alliance Sri Lankas Regional Business Network for Regional Empowerment, Conflict Transformation and Corporate Social Responsibility Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What is the Business for Peace Alliance? Network Owned by 25 regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.Network Owned by 25 regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka. Bottom up approach to bring about regional empowerment, national unity and practice CSR.Bottom up approach to bring about regional empowerment, national unity and practice CSR. Founded in 2002 as a Not for profit company.Founded in 2002 as a Not for profit company. Incorporated in 2006 under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka Governed by the Companies Act No.17 of 1982.Incorporated in 2006 under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka Governed by the Companies Act No.17 of Works with partners to deliver regional capacity programs, raise awareness and advocate for commerce as a means by which to bring about more prosperous and peaceable communities.Works with partners to deliver regional capacity programs, raise awareness and advocate for commerce as a means by which to bring about more prosperous and peaceable communities. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

Vision Peace and prosperity for all regions and communities living in a united Sri Lanka where social diversity and heritage are respected and preserved. Mission A responsible, professional and sustainable organization making a tangible contribution towards peace, reconciliation, national unity and regional empowerment through dialogue, advocacy, collaborative events and knowledge sharing. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

Brief History Started in 2002 as virtual network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, who saw the Cease Fire Agreement as an opportunity for commerce in the regions to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and social communities. Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA commencing in September 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo. Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA commencing in September 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo. Governance structure, comprising 12 Directors representing all Sri Lankas Provinces. Governance structure, comprising 12 Directors representing all Sri Lankas Provinces. Secretariat provides skills, capacity, best practice and learning to regional Chambers of Commerce, facilitates interaction between them. Secretariat provides skills, capacity, best practice and learning to regional Chambers of Commerce, facilitates interaction between them. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

Overview

BPAs Approach BPA adopts a bottom up approach, with strategy, initiatives and obstacles coming to the Board through the regions.BPA adopts a bottom up approach, with strategy, initiatives and obstacles coming to the Board through the regions. Using its contacts in Colombo, it directs this knowledge to shape understanding, awareness and policy, with a view to bringing about positive action and change.Using its contacts in Colombo, it directs this knowledge to shape understanding, awareness and policy, with a view to bringing about positive action and change. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

BPAs Approach Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions own efforts to bring about greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.

BPAs Approach Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

BPAs Business Model Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

Capacity & Resources Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Numerous programmes and initiatives. Following have been selected to demonstrate the range and type of work that is undertaken in the regions through BPA: Reconciliation Committees Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation.Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation. Business giving lead for Community leaders to networkBusiness giving lead for Community leaders to network Early warning system –prevention of conflictEarly warning system –prevention of conflict Mitigate escalation of conflictMitigate escalation of conflict Peace Building activities- multi ethnic, multi religious festivals, trade fairs….Peace Building activities- multi ethnic, multi religious festivals, trade fairs…. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Empowerment through Peace Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective in Sri Lanka.Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective in Sri Lanka. Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.Increase awareness of conflict on the ground. Shares practical tools and techniques by which to promote greater tolerance and demonstrate the advantages of working collaboratively across communities to create more empowered regions.Shares practical tools and techniques by which to promote greater tolerance and demonstrate the advantages of working collaboratively across communities to create more empowered regions. Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional level for regional empowerment.Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional level for regional empowerment. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Peace through Economic Development Collaboration with the Ampara District Chamber of CommerceCollaboration with the Ampara District Chamber of Commerce Expand the operations of the district Business School, to provide business skills which are currently in deficit.Expand the operations of the district Business School, to provide business skills which are currently in deficit. Aimed at unemployed, and at small business owners who struggle to sustain their enterprises.Aimed at unemployed, and at small business owners who struggle to sustain their enterprises. Virtual satellite schools are also being established in neighbouring towns. The goal is that through prosperity and employment, the root of much discontent can be eradicated.Virtual satellite schools are also being established in neighbouring towns. The goal is that through prosperity and employment, the root of much discontent can be eradicated. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Building the Capacity of Regions BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives from all regions.BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives from all regions. Sharing experiences in income generation.Sharing experiences in income generation. Communication skills.Communication skills. Building links with regional media.Building links with regional media. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Engagement with the Diaspora Links with Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, UK and USA.Links with Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, UK and USA. Creating a platform to allow diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the current Sri Lankan context, helping to dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.Creating a platform to allow diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the current Sri Lankan context, helping to dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Learn & Lead A multi-stakeholder CSR initiatives implemented by BPAA multi-stakeholder CSR initiatives implemented by BPA Develop future leaders from the regionsDevelop future leaders from the regions Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions affected by conflict and poverty to obtain education and other facilities in leading schools.Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions affected by conflict and poverty to obtain education and other facilities in leading schools. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Promoting Micro, Small & Medium Business Strengthening links with local and national mediaStrengthening links with local and national media Promoting regional small and medium entrepreneursPromoting regional small and medium entrepreneurs Regional Business Directory- profiles of regional businesses across the country in all sectors.Regional Business Directory- profiles of regional businesses across the country in all sectors. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Advocacy Constitutional Reforms.Constitutional Reforms. Budget Proposals.Budget Proposals. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

What BPA does.... Making a Difference Bringing about greater levels of understanding and co-operation which can bring about a more peaceable society, and through which benefits and greater levels of socio economic prosperity can be derived.Bringing about greater levels of understanding and co-operation which can bring about a more peaceable society, and through which benefits and greater levels of socio economic prosperity can be derived. Successful lobbying for the opening of the A9 in order to allow the continuation of trade between the Northern Province and the rest of the country.Successful lobbying for the opening of the A9 in order to allow the continuation of trade between the Northern Province and the rest of the country. Shipment of essential items to the North.Shipment of essential items to the North. Breaking across barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.Breaking across barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka. Copyright 2008 © The Business for Peace Alliance

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