A six-day training workshop on peacebuilding took place in Gnanodayam, Mannar, Sri Lanka from the 25th to the 30th of November, 2019. The training was organized by the Claretian Peacebuilding Initiatives – Sri Lanka (CPISL) of St. Joseph Vaz Independent Delegation.
35 participants from diverse backgrounds participated in the training. This included diocesan and religious priests, nuns representing various congregations, and lay peacebuilders (Catholic and non-Catholics). The team of resource persons consisted of Orson Sargado from the Philippines and Suchith Abeywickreme from Sri Lanka. Bro. Robert Omondi, CMF from Kenya who was to be part of the team of facilitators could not join the team due to some unavoidable reasons.
The training covered diverse themes related to peacebuilding and it included a field visit as well. On the fourth day of the workshop the bishop of the diocese of Mannar Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando spent some time with the participants. He also addressed the group during which he appreciated the initiatives taken by the Claretians in Sri Lanka in the area of peacebuilding.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with Alliance for Justice, a forum of Catholic clergy, religious, and lay people dealing with current issues.
