Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights - II
Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights - II

Embark on a transformative journey into the digital realm of storytelling with our recent capacity-building workshop in Kandy, held from November 17th to 19th, 2023. Thanks to the generous support of the Commonwealth Foundation, the workshop, titled "Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights", proved to be a game-changer. Participants delved into diverse topics, guided by expert trainers Aswer Mohammedu, Ruwan Bogamuwa, and Kapila Ramanyake. From mobile journalism to digital drama, the event, hosted at The Swiss Residence Kandy, marks a significant step toward amplifying Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Sri Lanka. Organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum, this initiative promises to empower voices and reshape the narrative landscape.

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Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights - I
Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights - I

From November 3rd to 5th, 2023, The Swiss Residence in Kandy became a hub of empowerment and knowledge exchange as the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum successfully organized a transformative Capacity Building Workshop. This initiative, aptly named "Innovative Spaces for Promoting Freedom of Expression and Information Rights," was made possible through the generous support of the Commonwealth Foundation.

Fueled by the spirit of progress, participants delved into the dynamic realms of Digital Storytelling, emerging equipped with powerful tools to champion the causes of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Sri Lanka. The workshop served as a catalyst for a surge in both knowledge and skills, guiding participants through the intricacies of Freedom of Expression, Right to Information, international complaint mechanisms, and the art of digital activism.

As the echoes of shared insights and newfound capabilities reverberate, the ultimate aspiration is for Sri Lanka to evolve into a society where Freedom of Expression and Information rights are not merely acknowledged but wholeheartedly embraced and enjoyed by all. This impactful event symbolizes a step forward in the journey towards a more informed, empowered, and liberated nation.

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MediaCorps Workshop 2020 - Team C
MediaCorps Workshop 2020 - Team C

5 days’ workshop of MediaCorps phase 3 was held in Goldi Sands Hotel Negombo. The purpose of the MediaCorps program is to train young journalists on collaborative and multimedia storytelling as an effective way to promote cross-cultural understanding, diversity, trust and dialogue among communities. So SDJF partnered with IREX under MEND program to train young journalists from all part of the country. In 2020, 7th to 11th of February, SDJF trained 20 young journalists.

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MediaCorps for University Students - 2020
MediaCorps for University Students - 2020

The phase 1 of MediaCorps workshop for University students 2019 was held in Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo. SDJF partnered with IREX to train young media students on collaborative and multimedia storytelling. Total of 25 MC fellows were trained during the during the period of 3rd to 7th of January 2020. The training included both conceptual and practical sessions. Senior Media Editors and managers also shared their proficiency.

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MediaCorps Retreat - 2019
MediaCorps Retreat - 2019

On March 9, 2019 SDJF conducted a final awarding and re-union of Young Peace Journalists who took part in the MediaCorp Fellowship at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. This event was organized as part of a two days’ retreat organized by SDJF in its first phase of MediaCorp Fellowship, which is a part of the Media Empowerment for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) Program, being implemented by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) with the support from USAID.

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Digital Storytelling and Reporting
Digital Storytelling and Reporting

SDJF joined hands with Swiss Embassy to train their partner organizations on Digital storytelling and reporting as part of Safe migration program. 75 participants from 5 partner organizations’ based in Colombo, Hatton, Kurunegala, Batticalo and Ampara were trained on basics shots, sequences, interview techniques and mobile storytelling techniques.

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Vibrant Voices 2019
Vibrant Voices 2019

Vibrant Voices phase II workshop for selected 29 women was held from September 13th to 17th in the Goldi Sands Hotel. The participants were trained on gender sensitive reporting, writing multimedia stories for websites/blogposts, using social media for story dissemination and storytelling. SDJF implemented the program partnered with IREX under the (MEND) program. The special feature of this training program was VV participants were awarded with mobile journalism kit to produce MoJo stories.

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MediaCorps workshop 2019 - Team B
MediaCorps workshop 2019 - Team B

The Group 2 of 2019 MC Fellows underwent their training during the period of October 18-22. And 34 participants were carefully selected for participation, Moreover, 9 ex-fellow members were incorporated to share their experiences in a short session. SDJF implemented the MediaCorps program under the IREX (MEND) program. As MEND’s goal is to strengthen the media sector in Sri Lanka to support the country’s efforts to solidify recent advances in democratic governance.

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Media Gender Charter 2018
Media Gender Charter 2018

To overcome the challenges of unethical gender portrayal in the Sri Lankan media, SDJF had consultations with 5 leading media associations and unions in Sri Lanka. SDJF also consulted more than 54 stakeholders through 3 different consultations with media associations, gender experts, academia, research organizations and civil society organizations and developed a content for the Draft Media Gender Charter for Sri Lanka.  This activity was implemented as a part of MEND program.

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Vibrant Voices 2018
Vibrant Voices 2018

In 2018, SDJF operated with 4 women and 1 LGBTQ organization to strength their capacity in using DSLR camera to capture the stories that are affecting community. The 4 days’ workshop of Vibrant Voices phase 1 was held in Golden Star Beach Hotel on the 20th to 23rd of September. The objective of the program is to widen the space in the media content for women, and LGBTQ members. So SDJF collaborated with IREX under the MEND program to capacitate women and other gender groups in women’s and LGBTQ+ organizations to produce multimedia stories amplifying the voices of excluded gender groups.

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MediaCorps 2018
MediaCorps 2018

The first workshop of MediaCorps was held in Opulent Riverface Hotel, Colombo, during the 2nd to 4th of November 2018. The purpose of the MediaCorps program is to train young journalists on collaborative and multimedia storytelling as an effective way to promote cross-cultural understanding, diversity, trust and dialogue among communities. So SDJF partnered with IREX under MEND program to train young journalists from all part of the country. In 2018, SDJF trained 34 young journalists and produced more than 71 appealing stories of marginalized groups.

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Community Champions
Community Champions

The Community Champions (CC) is a programme designed by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) to capacitate the youth members to become active and champions in solving the community problems by utilizing existing resources. This process was facilitated by the Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC) and funded by the European Union (EU) under the project titled, “Rehabilitation Services for People affected by Trauma Resulting from Conflict or Structural Violence in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka”.

 

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Recognition and Resilience of Trauma survivors through 10 Forum Theatre Performances.
Recognition and Resilience of Trauma survivors through 10 Forum Theatre Performances.

Sri Lanka Development and Journalist Forum (SDJF) joined hands with Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC) to promote the rights, recognition and resilience of Trauma survivors through 10 forum theatre performances. The performances were staged at 5 districts in northern Province.

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Forum Theatre Performance Workshop and Rehearsal
Forum Theatre Performance Workshop and Rehearsal

The programme was held from 17th -21st November at Gnanams Hotel in Jaffna with the participation of 18 Forum Theatre (FT) performers. It covered the aspects of story hunting and story development. Through the programme, the performers were able to do field visits for hunting the stories for the forum theatre performances. The programme helped them to develop those hunted stories into story scripts.

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Mobile Video Summit 2019
Mobile Video Summit 2019

SDJF partnered with Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust (NTT), First ever mobile video summit in Sri Lanka hosted by SDJF with the support from NTT, in this summit, MoJo stories produced by the MoJo storytellers were screened and open up debate among the stakeholders to resolve it. This activity was implemented as a part of DEV-GAP project.

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Investigative Video Stories
Investigative Video Stories

In 2017, SDJF partnered with IWPR to implement community investigative storytelling program to capacitate 30 journalists and media students on using video storytelling as a tool to investigate developmental issues in the country. And the program contributed to 25 video productions and 5 radio dramas.

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Jaffna District Forum Theatre Performances
Jaffna District Forum Theatre Performances

The final 10 performances Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances – Phase IV was held in Vavuniya from 23rd October to 2nd November 2017.  The performances took place in 10 schools in the Jaffna district, selected by the Ministry of Education in the Northern Province. The forums were based on promoting pluralistic values such as promoting nonviolence and tolerance, accepting diversity, respecting differences, equality, and justice and handling social issues.

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Kilinochchi District Forum Theatre Performances
Kilinochchi District Forum Theatre Performances

The fourth phase of Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances was held in Vavuniya from 3rd to 17th October 2017. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Kilinochchi district, selected by the Ministry of Education in the Northern Province. The forums were based on promoting pluralistic values such as promoting nonviolence and tolerance, accepting diversity, respecting differences, equality, and justice and handling social issues.

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Vavuniya District Forum Theatre Performances
Vavuniya District Forum Theatre Performances

The fourth phase of Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances was held in Vavuniya from 19th September to 2nd October 2017. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Vavuniya district, selected by the Ministry of Education in the Northern Province. The forums were based on promoting pluralistic values such as promoting nonviolence and tolerance, accepting diversity, respecting differences, equality, and justice and handling social issues.

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Mannar District Forum Theatre Performances
Mannar District Forum Theatre Performances

The first 10 performances of the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances – Phase IV were held in Mannar from 6th to 18th September 2017. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Mannar district, selected by the Ministry of Education in the Northern Province. The forums were based on promoting pluralistic values such as promoting nonviolence and tolerance, accepting diversity, respecting differences, equality, and justice and handling social issues.

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SDJF Storytelling Model Presented at International Conference held in Norway
SDJF Storytelling Model Presented at International Conference held in Norway

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) presented it’s participatory storytelling model at the International Conference on Best Practice in Teaching Conflict, War and Peace Journalism – 2016, held in Norway. The conference was supported by The Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO, The Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Akershus University College of Applied Sciences in Oslo on the 07th and 08th of November 2016.

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National Community Video Awarding
National Community Video Awarding

SDJF announced 10 Independent Video Journalists as the winners of the National Community Video Competition and they were presented the National Community Video Award at the National Youth Video Summit held on 24th April 2016 at Sri Lanka Foundation.

Moreover 10 Best Community Video Awards were presented to the participants who produced videos during the Community Video Programs conducted by SDJF in Matara and Kandy.

In addition the certificates were presented to all the young video journalists who took part in the Community Video Programs conducted by SDJF.

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National Youth Video Summit 2016
National Youth Video Summit 2016

Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum organized Sri Lanka’s first National Youth Video Summit on ‘Capturing Local Voices and Strengthening Democracy for Development’. The Summit was held on the 24th of April 2016 at Sri Lanka Foundation with the participation of media experts, academics, diplomats, government agents as well as representatives from civil society organizations.

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Final Training – Kandy Community Video Workshop
Final Training – Kandy Community Video Workshop

The final training of the Kandy Community Video Storytelling Program was held on 27th and 28th of February 2016 at the American Corner, Kandy. Towards the end of the program youth finalized 10 community videos covering issues in the Kandy District.

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Matara Video Storytelling Program – Stage II Training
Matara Video Storytelling Program – Stage II Training

The second training workshop of the participatory video storytelling program for 20 potential youth from Matara district was held from 29th to 31st of January 2015 at Sri Lanka Unites Reconciliation Centre, Kamburupitiya.

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Conclusion of the National Workshop on Community Video Storytelling
Conclusion of the National Workshop on Community Video Storytelling

The Participatory Community Video Storytelling program organized by SDJF in partnership with PGIA came to an end on the 10th of February with the final training for the 25 selected participants.

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1st Stage Training – Community Video Storytelling in Matara
1st Stage Training – Community Video Storytelling in Matara

The first workshop for the Matara district youth in Community Video Storytelling was held from 9th to 11th of January 2016 in Dickwella.

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Stage II Training of Community Video Storytelling in Kandy
Stage II Training of Community Video Storytelling in Kandy

The second phase of the training on community video storytelling was held from 16thto 18th January 2016 at the American Corner, Kandy. This program is organized by SDJF in partnership with PGIA to capacitate youth on using Participatory Video Storytelling to address issues faced by people in remote areas in Kandy.

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Participatory Community Video Storytelling – 1st Stage Training Workshop
Participatory Community Video Storytelling – 1st Stage Training Workshop

The first phase of the training on Participatory community video storytelling was held from 15th to 18th December 2015 at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. This training was organized by the SDJF in partnership with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA).

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Training on Short Film
Training on Short Film

To capacitate 30 young short film makers from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim backgrounds, a training was organized by Rural Economic and Community Development Organization in partnership with SDJF, National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Foundation.

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First Stage of Community Video Training Program in Kandy
First Stage of Community Video Training Program in Kandy

The first phase of the 10-day training program on Community Video was held from 19th to 21st of December 2015 at the American Corner, Kandy. This training was conducted by SDJF in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA).

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Re-union of the Forum Theatre Artists
Re-union of the Forum Theatre Artists

To conclude the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase III a ‘Re-union of the young Forum Theatre Artists’ was organised by SDJF at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Colombo on the 24th of October 2015.

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Matara District Forum Theatre Performances
Matara District Forum Theatre Performances

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Matara district from 12th to 23rd October 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Matara district which were selected by the Ministry of Education in the Southern Province.The Forum Theatre dramas were based around on the idea of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’

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Galle District Forum Theatre Performances
Galle District Forum Theatre Performances

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Galle district from 28th September to 09th of October 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Galle district which were selected with the support of the Southern Province Ministry of Education and Zonal Education Directors of the Galle District. There was a significant participation by the school children, teachers as well as parents. The dramas were based around the theme of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’.

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Kalutara District Forum Theatre Performances
Kalutara District Forum Theatre Performances

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Kalutara district from 07th to 18th September 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Kalutara district which were selected with the support of the Western Province Ministry of Education and the Zonal Education Office in Kalutara. There were positive responses from school children, teachers as well as parents. The program focuses on the theme of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’ and the dramas were based around this subject area.

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Forum Summit and Awarding Young Artists
Forum Summit and Awarding Young Artists

Forum Summit and the Awarding of the Young Artists of the Forum Theatre Program which was organized by SDJF were held on the 21st of August 2015 at the Southern Province Ministry of Education Auditorium in Labuduwa, Galle.

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Final stage of the Forum Theatre Preparation Workshop
Final stage of the Forum Theatre Preparation Workshop

The last stage of the Forum Theater training was held at the Management, Development and Training Institute in Wakwella, Galle on 21st and 22nd of August. 12 forum scripts were produced towards the end of the training which will be shown in schools of Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts.

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Stage II Training Workshop of Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase III
Stage II Training Workshop of Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase III

The Forum Theatre second stage training was held at the Wakwella Management, Development and Training Institute in Galle from 6th to 9th August and the youth were involved in writing forum scripts and practicing the forum performances.

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase III – 1st Stage Training Workshop
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase III – 1st Stage Training Workshop

The first stage of the training workshop of the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program was held from 23rd – 26th July at the Kalutara Training Centre. 36 young artists participated in this workshop and it was conducted by Mr. M.C. Rasmin, Director, SDJF and Mr. Mangala Senanayake, Dean Faculty of Dance and Drama, University of Visual and Performing Arts.

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Launching of ‘Humanity’ – A Collection of Short Stories by School Children
Launching of ‘Humanity’ – A Collection of Short Stories by School Children

Under the project ‘Creative Expressions through Storytelling’ a collection of short stories written by student-writers from Kaluthara and Colombo districts was launched at the Postal Headquarters auditorium on March 23rd. The Collection was named as ‘Humanity’. Mr. Wimal Gunarathne, Director, Educational Department, Western Province and several other dignitaries including Nicole Chulick, Director of American Centre, Ms. Dawn Suni, Cultural Affairs Officer, American Centre, Dikwelle Kamal, Senior Writer and nearly 175 students attended this event.

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Trincomalee District
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Trincomalee District

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Trincomalee district from 17th to 26th February 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Trincomalee district which were selected by the Provincial Education Department of the Eastern Province. The Forum Theatre dramas were based around on the idea of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Polonnaruwa District
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Polonnaruwa District

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Kandy district from 03rd to 13th February 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Polonnaruwa district which were selected by the Provincial Education Department of the North Central Province. There was a significant participation by the school children, teachers as well as parents. The dramas were based around on the theme of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Kandy District
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances in the Kandy District

Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Performances were held in the Kandy district from 19th to 30th January 2015. The performances took place in 10 schools in the Kandy district which were selected by the Provincial Education Department of the Central Province. There were positive responses from school children, teachers as well as parents. The program focuses on the theme of ‘rejecting violence and promoting dialogue’ and the dramas were based around this subject area.

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Radio Drama Recording
Radio Drama Recording

In the Radio Drama program planned by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum there 12 dramas were written by the participants as their major task of participating in this program. These dramas were recorded in order to air them in Raja Rata FM and Pirai FM. The recording took place at Amusync Studio Thimbirigasyaya on the 3rd and 4th of January. Currently these dramas are in the process of editing and they will be aired from 15th to 26th of January 2015.

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Community Story Board Meetings
Community Story Board Meetings

SDJF organized 3 Community Story Board Meetings to further discuss the radio dramas written by the participants of the Radio Drama Program. These meetings were held in Horowpothana, Thambuthegama and Trincomalee on 25th, 26th and 27th of December and each Story Board consisted of 15 community members from that particular area.

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Principals’ Meeting in Kandy and Trincomalee Districts
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Principals’ Meeting in Kandy and Trincomalee Districts

SDJF organized a Principals’ Meeting in Kandy and Trincomalee districts to further discuss about the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program. Provincial Directors of Education along with the School Principals attended this meeting and there were discussions as to how school children as well different communities can become a part of this program.

The performances of the Forum Theatre Program will begin towards the end of January 2015 and the participants will be performing in 30 schools in Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts.

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Radio Drama Final Training Workshops
Radio Drama Final Training Workshops

The final training workshops of the Radio Drama Program organized by the Sri Lank Development Journalists Forum came to an end yesterday. The workshops were held in Anuradhapura and there were positive feedback from the participants from Anuradhapura, Batticalo and Ampara districts who attended this training to become young story writers.

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Conclusion of the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Phase II Training Workshops
Conclusion of the Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Phase II Training Workshops

The final training workshops of the Sri Lanka Forum Theater Program were successfully completed with the involvement of young participants from Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts. Participants will be performing their Forum Theatre Dramas in these districts in January and February 2015.

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Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase II training workshops
Sri Lanka Forum Theatre Program Phase II training workshops

For the second consecutive time SDJF has organized the Sri Lanka Forum Theater Program around the theme of “Reject Violence – Promote Dialog”. This year there are 36 young participants from Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts. The first phase of the preparation workshops started on December 1st in Anuradhapura.

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Radio Drama Program on freedom of religion and religious pluralism
Radio Drama Program on freedom of religion and religious pluralism

The 1st training workshop of the Radio Drama program organized by the SDJF was held yesterday at the CTC Hotel Anuradhapura. There were 24 participants from Anuradhapura, Ampara and Batticalo districts.

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Final Sharing Meeting
Final Sharing Meeting

The final sharing meeting was held on the 25th of November 2014, consulting 48 members, for a final review of the articles in the Islamic Framework for Equality and Justice (IFEJ).

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2nd MenEngage Global Symposium – 2014, New Delhi
2nd MenEngage Global Symposium – 2014, New Delhi

SDJF was honored to present at the MenEngage Delhi Conference 2014 on using the SLFTP as an alternative form of art to promote dialogue around issues. The SLFTP has been a very successful implementation of SDJF and is now undergoing its Phase II.

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Development Dialogue 2
Development Dialogue 2

To address development issues in the northern area using radio as a development tool.

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Development Dialogue
Development Dialogue

A program which SDJF partnered in to implement the project with search for common ground.

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Using radio for social advocacy
Using radio for social advocacy

The purpose of this was to train selected youth on using radio as a means of problem solving. Under this project, 30 young men and women were trained on radio for social advocacy.

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Promoting pluralism
Promoting pluralism

This project, funded by the Neelan Tirichelvan Trust (NTT), looked to foster pluralism and pluralistic values among youth from different ethnic and religious backgrounds in Northern Sri Lanka.

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National Radio Day Conference 2013
National Radio Day Conference 2013

This was hosted by SDJF to mobilize community agents in strengthening radio movements and empowering communities. This project was funded by ICTA.

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Promoting gender sensitive active nonviolence through radio drama
Promoting gender sensitive active nonviolence through radio drama

This project, funded by Women Promoting Peace (WPP), Netherland, served to foster Gender Sensitive Active Non-Violence through radio dramas.

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Promoting Cultural Sensitivity through digital storytelling
Promoting Cultural Sensitivity through digital storytelling

This project, funded by the Neelan Thirichellam Trust (NTT), involved 18 youth, who were trained on digital storytelling through cultural sensitivity.

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Silent smile – radio drama to address GBV in the Muslim communities
Silent smile – radio drama to address GBV in the Muslim communities

The purpose of this program was to use radio and the art of storytelling to address issues affecting women and advocate gender justice and equality.

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SDJF, AMIC workshop on community radio
SDJF, AMIC workshop on community radio

This was the first activity of SDJF, to conduct a workshop on community radio, with the support of UNESCO and AMIC. 30 community activists participated in this program.

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SDJF meeting with Sheriff Ahanam – an activist from India
SDJF meeting with Sheriff Ahanam – an activist from India

A South-Indian woman activist, Sheriff Ahanam, visited Sri Lanka, and during her visit, she also visited SDJF for a discussion on Islam and Women’s rights, and to share her personal experience as an activist.

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