Business-peace team in South Africa/Northern Ireland on study mission

The FCCISL Business for Peace Initiative, a comprehensive, apolitical, national level movement aiming to proactively engage the business community as a facilitator in peace building efforts have taken the first steps in empowering the private sector with relevant knowledge for the task at hand via this international study tour,” FCCISL Secretary General Samantha Abeywickrama said, just before leaving on the tour from October 14 to 30.

A delegation of regional and national chamber representatives headed by officials from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL), Business for Peace Initiative (BPI) is currently on a study tour of South Africa, Northern Ireland and the UK to learn about effective private sector interventions in peace building efforts.

“The private sector has a significant role to play as a catalyst and facilitator in peace building initiatives, specially at a time when all other stakeholders, like the key political parties are also coming together to leverage on the synergies of co-operation.

The delegation comprises five chamber representatives from the conflict affected northeast and the Joint Business Forum (JBIZ) Chairman Nimal Perera representing national level chambers.

The delegation is headed by FCCISL President Nawaz Rajabdeen. Chamber representatives include Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & Industry President N. Sunthareasan, Kilinochchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture CEO W. J. Soosairatnam, Trincomalee District Chamber of Commerce Chairman R Rajarammohan, Vauniya District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Secretary Kanagasabapathy Nanthakumaran and Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture President Sylvester Pethuru Culas.

Abeywickrema said until now there hasn’t been a well structured, strong initiative from the private sector in addressing the national issue. The unique philosophy of the Business for Peace Initiative is its emphasis on consistency, sustainability and greater participation by local business people in conflict affected areas.

He said the South African case is fueled by ethnic concerns stemming from apartheid and discrimination while the North Irish case is a prolonged armed conflict with facets of terrorism involved. “What we have in Sri Lanka is a mixture of both scenarios. Although our context is unique, it is possible to draw on the lessons learnt from these countries when effectively dealing with the two facets of the conflict that we find in Sri Lanka.”

In Northern Ireland the delegation is meeting representatives from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), the International Conflict Research Centre (INCORE) based at the University of Ulster which is an international centre for excellence in peace and conflict research and reconciliation processes, the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation and Peace and InterTrade, Ireland to study foreign investment and trade policies, business capability improvement and business network support services in the context of rehabilitating war affected businesses.

They will also meet with members from the Trade and Commerce Chambers of Ireland, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, the Glendermott Valley Business Park, the Irish Street Community Centre and the Creggan Enterprises, which manages a community enterprise organization with social and commercial aims.

The delegation is also expected to meet with civil society leaders, chamber heads and key political figures in both South Africa and UK.

They will meet with representatives from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), the National Business Initiative (NBI), the International Centre for Transitional Justice, the Business Unity of South Africa (BUSA) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commision.