1. Partnering for Progress Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

2.  Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.  A “bottom up” regional platform to bring about regional empowerment, reconciliation, national unity and the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  A “bottom up” lobby for aspirations of regional Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), with capacity to understand and develop solutions for regional problems.  Works with partners to deliver regional development programs, and promotes business as a means to bring about more prosperous and peaceable communities.  Promotes Public-Private-People Partnerships and the People- Planet-Profit Business Model for Sustainable Development. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

3.  Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create a platform for business to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and regional communities.  Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a focal point for regional business.  Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka.  Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Lanka.  Guided by several respected business leaders and professionals from Colombo.  Affiliated to 10 Colombo based Chambers and Associations. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

4. 23 Board Members 23 Board Members 25 Regional Chambers 25 Regional Chambers 3 Women’s Chambers 3 Women’s Chambers 10 Affiliate Members 10 Affiliate Members 15,000 Members Represented 15,000 Members Represented

5. Commerce (as represented by Regional Chambers) Peace  Conflict transformation  Lobbying & advocacy  Networking & sharing good practice  Influencing & engaging stakeholders  Improving understanding & awareness  Regional empowerment  Building capacity  Sustainability & funds  Promoting responsible investment  Securing livelihoods Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance The People–Planet–Profit Model through Public–Private–People Partnerships

6. MediaGovernment Big Business & Stakeholders Funding Bodies Raising Awareness Identifying New Development Influencing Policy Increasing Understanding Collating Information Developing Clusters Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance BPA Feedback Local Analysis Engagement Communication Relationship ProposalManagementDevelopment Local Engagement Feedback Analysis Relationship Communication ManagementProposalDevelopment 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. Voice of Regions MagazineVoice of Regions Magazine Regional Producers DirectoryRegional Producers Directory Promoting SME’sPromoting SME’s

7. Support & Engagement New Development Initiatives Policy Change Championing Change Sharing Best Practice Information & Support Funding Bodies Project Management Communication Review Relationship Partnerships Management Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance ProjectDesign MediaGovernment Big Business & Stakeholders BizPActBizPAct Reconciliation CommitteesReconciliation Committees Learn & LeadLearn & Lead 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.

8. Reconciliation Committees  Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation.  Business leadership for Community leaders to network.  Early warning system – prevention of conflict.  Mitigate escalation of conflict.  Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi religious festivals, trade fairs…. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

9. Peace through Empowerment  Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective in Sri Lanka.  Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.  Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional level for regional empowerment.  Awareness programs on issues such as the New Companies Act and the New Electricity Act.  Communication skills for better understanding. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

10. Building the Capacity of Regions  BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives from all regions.  Reconciliation among communities.  Sharing experiences in income generation.  Communication and presentation skills.  Bridging the gap between the center and the regions for sustainable and equitable socio-economic development in the country. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

11. BizPAct : Engagement with Investors - Big business and the Diaspora  Links with Sri Lankan diaspora.  Creating a platform to allow big business to partner in regional investment an development in a context sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.  Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the context in Sri Lanka’s regions and helping to dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

12. Learn & Lead: Empowering Youth  A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with the support of an imminent National Steering Committee.  Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing opportunities for developing future leaders from the regions.  Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive education in leading private schools.  Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic environment for youth in the regions. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

13. Business for Unity Awards Rewarding business for contribution to National Unity  The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organized by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of International Alert and BPA.  Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse ethnic and social groups in their communities and the country. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

14. Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)  Strengthening links with local and national media to promote regional small and medium entrepreneurs and enterprises through the media and the internet.  Regional Business Directory – publication of profiles of regional businesses across the country.  Collaboration with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka.  Investment promotion through programs such as BizPAct. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

15. Advocacy between the top and bottom  Constitutional Reforms  Budget Proposals  Voice of Regions Newsletter  Media and internet  Symposia and workshops island wide  Understanding the New Companies Act and Electricity Act  Understanding Labor laws and Taxation Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

16. Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action  Support to IDPs.  Milk food and medical assistance to women and children in hospitals in Vavuniya and Trincomalee.  Supply of essential items to camps in Vavuniya.  Support to children in camps in Vavuniya.  Livelihood development for future.  Language for livelihood.  Re-integration of ex-combatants - transform ex-combatants into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking with chambers and mentoring by senior regional businessmen.  Learn and Lead scholarships. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

17.  Core funding to maintain and develop the Secretariat.  Staff mostly regional – lack of English skills and exposure with high level local and international stakeholders.  Directors 23 – scattered all over the country, financial and time commitments to own districts and chambers, lack of expertise, experience and sophistication, less links with national policy makers and high level stake holders based in Colombo.  Partnerships – Public, Private, People.  Keeping island wide network and stakeholders actively informed and engaged – Communication.  Income generating programs – Need seed money to develop BizPAct, a Chamber/Business Support Services Unit and Voice of Regions Newsletter/Magazine. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

18.  Regional Empowerment: Bringing ownership and active participation in regional development by the people of the regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to develop confidence in ones own capacity.  Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for sustainable development and peace.  Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation: Social cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.  Philanthropy and CSR: Going beyond charity to create “social value” - giving a “hand-up” as opposed to a hand-out. Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

19. 1. Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 2. Anuradapura District Chamber of Commerce 3. Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 4. Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industry & Commerce 5. Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam 6. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Central Province 7. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Uva Province 8. Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee District 9. Galle District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 10. Galle District Women’s Chamber of Commerce 11. Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce 12. Jaffna Chamber of Commerce 13. Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 14. Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 15. Killinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 16. Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 17. Matale District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 18. Matara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry 19. Matara District Women's Chamber of Commerce 20. Moneragala District Chamber of Commerce 21. Polonnaruwa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 22. Puttalam District Chamber of Commerce 23. Sabaragamuwa Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry 24. Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 25. Wayamba Chamber of Commerce and Industry Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

20. 1. Sri Lanka First – The Business Initiative for Peace & Development 2. Sri Lanka Business Development Center 3. Association of Small & Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka 4. Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka 5. Youth Business Sri Lanka 6. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce 7. Employers Federation of Ceylon 8. National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka 9. American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka 10. European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance