We celebrated the successful completion of the first batch of the Certificate Course on Nonviolent Communication and Media (NVCM) for 2021. Over three impactful months, participants honed their skills in nonviolent communication and media literacy. They explored the intricate relationship between communication and media, gaining insights into countering harmful narratives and fostering understanding. Their dedication and contributions have set a strong foundation for creating a compassionate and empathetic society.
To be eligible for the Certificate Course on Nonviolent Communication and Media, candidates embarked on a transformative journey by meeting the following minimum entry requirements: being 18 years or older, having completed junior secondary level education (Grade 11), and demonstrating proficiency in English by attaining a credit pass (a “C” pass) in the GCE O/L English Language or a similar test. As the registration details were unveiled on the website, eager applicants swiftly submitted their meticulously filled applications, with admission granted on a first-come, first-serve basis in the event of exceeding the program’s capacity of 50 students. Remarkably, prior knowledge in nonviolent communication was not a prerequisite, as this course embraced participants from various backgrounds, united by their shared enthusiasm for exploring new horizons.
The inauguration ceremony of the project on “Promoting Non-Violent Communication (NVC) and Responsible Use of Media” was held on the 29th of March 2021 from 0900 to 1000 hours at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The project was ceremoniously inaugurated with the participation of the Vice Chancellor – Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil as the chief guest and Mr. Thorsten Bargfrede as the Guest of Honor accompanied by Ms. Anne Vaugier-Chatterjee the Head and the Deputy Head of the Political Section of the European Union Mission in Sri Lanka respectively.
The inaugural event was also graced physically by other guests such as Deputy Vice Chancellor – Defence and Administration, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic, Deans of Faculties, Directors, Academia, Senior Military Officers and virtually by the representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) director and representative for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka Mr. Eric Falt also extended his well wishes to the success of this project conducted by KDU.
The event was organized by the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities and is supported by the UNDP with funding from the European Union (EU). The project includes a series of workshops along with other activities such as the establishment of a Center for Media Studies and the development of an academic programme on Media and Communication Studies.
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Ms. Ramanusha Poopalaratnam | Ms. Wimarshana Ranasinghe Facilitator – Peace Building and NVC B.A. (Kelaniya) Dip. in International Relations Cer. in International Relations (Colombo) Cer. in Computer Literacy (Kelaniya) Dip. in English (Oxford College of Business) Dip. in English (Aquainas Collage of Higher Studies) | Mr. Nuwan Herath |
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| Major. JPWK Abeyawickrama Head of the Department of Languages – FMSH, KDU M. A. (Warwick, UK) M. A. (Kelaniya) B. A. (Sri Jayawardenapura) ASTHE (Colombo) with SEDA (UK) CELTA (Cambridge) CTHE (Colombo) Specialist English Trained(Peradeniya) BALIC (TX-USA) ICELT (Cambridge) TKT (Cambridge) | Ms. Vasuki Jayasinghe Senior Lecturer Grade – Department of Languages, FMSH, KDU M.A. (Tribhuvan, Nepal) M.A. (Kelaniya) B.A. (Hons) (Kelaniya) Dip. in Teacher Training (LTTC, UK) Teacher Educator as an Educational Technologist (OUSL) | Mr. Indika Perera |
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| Dr. Lakshika Liyanage Senior Lecturer – Department of Social Sciences, FMSH, KDU Director – Center for Gender Equity and Equality, KDU Ph.D. (Durham, UK) M. A. (Durham, UK) B.A. (Hons) (Peradeniya) Dip. in Psycholgy & Counselling |
The closing ceremony of the project on “Promoting Nonviolent Communication and Responsible Use of Media”co-funded by UNDP and European Union (EU) and conducted by the Department of Social Sciences of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies of KDU on the 28th of January 2022 from 0900 to 1130 hours.
The project was ceremoniously brought to a close with the participation of the Vice Chancellor – Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil as the chief guest. The event was participated by approximately 50 other guests including Dr. Priyan Seneviratne representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Colombo, Film Director Mr. Sanjaya Nirmal, Dean of the FMSH, other Deans and Directors of KDU, Heads of Departments, Senior Professors and Academics, Senior Military Officers, the Panel of Lecturers of the Certificate Course, Project Consultants, Project Coordinators, and a diverse group of course participants including undergraduates, police officers, lawyers, engineers and medical officers.
The closing ceremony was also graced virtually by about 40 guests including officials at UNESCO including Ms. Maija Lyytinen the Programme Manager for UNESCO, Mr. Ramon Tuazon – Communication and Information Specialist, UNESCO Myanmar and Ms. Himali Jinadasa, the Country Focal Point for UNESCO New Delhi cluster office.
The Department of Social Sciences at KDU received a grant in November 2020 to initiate a comprehensive programme to promote Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Responsible Use of Media, which included activities such as conducting a certificate course in NVC and Media, designing curricula, conducting workshops, producing a short film, and developing a Centre for Media Studies to promote Peace Media among undergraduates. The results of this project were summarized at the event along with a Certificate Awarding Ceremony for the students who completed the Certificate Course on NVC and Media. The premiere of “The Circle”, a student-led short film on nonviolent communication, was also launched by the Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris accompanied by the Dean FMSH, Mr. Kithsiri Amaratunga and Mr. Sanjaya Nirmal, the director.
The Project was realized on an initiative made by Mr Nuwan Herath, Head of the Department of Social Sciences, and it was coordinated by Dr Hemantha Premarathne of the Department of Social Sciences.
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