APPRAC 2024 Day 3: Asia Pacific Peace Research Conference
APPRAC 2024 Day 3 brought together scholars, guests, and participants at the University of Vavuniya. The day combined keynote speeches, a panel discussion, an entrepreneurship session, and technical sessions. Together, they furthered the conference’s aim of promoting peace and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Opening Session
The session began with a welcome speech that reaffirmed the conference’s commitment to promoting peace and sustainability. Prof. Manjushri Sharma from Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, Pune, Maharashtra, India, then delivered the inaugural address. She stressed the importance of peace education in building a harmonious society.
Special Guest and Guest of Honor Speeches
Prof. Premakumara De Silva gave the special guest speech. He is from the University of Colombo and chairs the Standing Committee of the SRCs, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka. He described the challenges and opportunities in peace research and education. Cultural performances followed and showcased the rich heritage of the region.
Prof. Liu Cheng from Nanjing University, China, delivered the Guest of Honor speech. He highlighted the significance of international collaboration in peacebuilding.
Keynote Speech and Panel Discussion
Emeritus Professor S. Pathmanathan, Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, delivered the keynote speech. He spoke on “History and Coexistence in Sri Lanka” and offered valuable insights into reconciliation and coexistence in the region.
A panel discussion on “Advancing Peace Research and Education: Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned” followed. Panelists discussed how to overcome obstacles and shared best practices in peace research and education.
Exploratory Session on Inclusive Entrepreneurship
After a tea break, participants joined an exploratory session titled “Establishing an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.” Dr. M Arumugam, Dr. Senthan Selvarajah, Mr. K Jeyaraj, and Ms. S. Mathangie facilitated it. The session aimed to foster inclusive economic development and peacebuilding.
Technical Sessions
Parallel technical sessions covered diverse themes at various venues across the university. They encouraged in-depth discussion and knowledge exchange among participants.
Closing Session
An afternoon tea break gave participants time to network and reflect on what they had learned. Prof. Aslam Gan and Prof. Jeyasingham then led the valedictory session. The four co-chairs and the Convener delivered the closing remarks, which marked the successful end of APPRAC 2024.
Overall, Day 3 provided a platform for robust discussion, knowledge sharing, and networking. It furthered the conference’s objectives of promoting peace and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region.
