Name of organization:
Centre for Communication Training
Description of organization:
The Centre for Communication Training (CCT) is engaged in the promotion of conflict transformation through nonviolent communication. CCT implements various projects with a focus on peacebuilding and conflict transformation, community mediation, transitional justice and pluralism with diverse communities that aim at establishing dialogue and learning to constructively deal with difference and conflicts.
Context:
Sri Lanka experienced several bomb attacks that have been carried out by a local militant group over Easter in 2019. This has since exposed latent rifts within the community, including increased suspicion, fear, and intolerance which accelerated the spread of hate speech, heightened nationalistic rhetoric and reversed the social discourse of accepting diversity, equal rights and power sharing. It also impacted the country’s peace and reconciliation processes which had been advancing since the end of the civil war in 2009.
Proposed project and expected results:
CCT proposes to address this issue by mobilizing youth through improvisational theatre to counter the current narratives of hate and separation, and to build mutual respect across the ethno-religious community lines. In a context of high youth unemployment and cultural violence, young people are specifically vulnerable to be radicalized by extremist groups. This project will instead engage youth in a self-transformation process that encourages understanding, offers space to share fears, and builds bridges across the cultural, religious and linguistic divides. Young people will contribute to preventing and countering the further defamation of communities with different religious beliefs and cultural practices, initiating dialogue that supports learning to appreciate diversity.
By the end of the project, CCT expects to:
- Train 60 youth leaders in improvisational theatre and nonviolent communication, in the context of countering hate speech and discrimination as well as building mutual respect.
- Mentor 60 youth leaders in maintaining self-exploration journals for inner growth and transformation (practicing emotional intelligence and nonviolent communication).
- Support the youth leaders to complete 20 community level activities, with their media content such as photos, videos, and news articles available for general public.
Project coordinator: Sivatharsini Raveendran
Contact information: info@cfct.lk
Website: www.cfct.lk