[Previous]DIP-3: Samadana/m - Centre for Non Violent Conflict Resolution and Conflict Handling, Kandy
1. Project
Samadana/m is an non governmental organisation working for non violent conflict resolution and conflict handling. They do training in different methods and skills on handling conflict and steps towards resolving using non violent methods and skills. Also handle conflict situation and facilitate a process for the involved parties to resolve their conflicts by themselves using non violent methods.
The name "Samadana" and "Samadanam" are the words in the Sinhala and Tamil languages that stand for peace or peace giving. The programme of work of Samadana/m is carried out by the volunteer members and a small staff team. The members have been exposed and undergone several training in non violent conflict resolution both locally and internationally. Samadana/m is enriched by the experience and expertise of members in their own fields.
Samadana/m works to achieve a multi-ethnic and peaceful society in which people have the ability, courage and willingness to manage their own conflicts in a non-violent way by providing the necessary knowledge and skills and creating a safe neutral space for different parties to discuss their problems. By networking with similar organisations locally and internationally, Samadana/m will facilitate a process for a people's movement towards achieving its vision. Our vision is of a society that moves towards justice, equality and a non violent lifestyle through managing its conflicts in a non violent way.
The aims and objectives of Samadana/m are to expand the pool of skilled facilitators, to serve as a resource centre, to network with other organisations and individuals, to explore and encourage a non violent way of living, to harmonise traditional methodologies with modern systems for conflict resolution, to create a non-partisan environment where conflict and the reasons for it can be discussed, to empower people to resolve conflicts in a self-reliant manner and to facilitate external intervention where appropriate.
Samadana/m is constantly faced with the challenge of being not only task oriented but also process oriented. This manifests the need to explore in a systematic way how we at Samadana/m could experience the values we wish to promote. This would ideally take the form of an ongoing reflective process leading to change.
2. Location
The Office is located at No. 2 , Tekkewatta Road, Tennekumbura, Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka and is 3 kilometres away from Kandy town towards the east and is well connected by bus. Samadana/m works with the organisations the council members are attached to and some local partners within and outside Kandy.
3. Work
- Training in non violent conflict resolution methods and developing training and conflict handling skills
- Developing modules on conflict resolution, peace building methods, peaceful co-existing ways.
- Publications and work related to web designing and page setting
- Research work on different types of conflicts, analysis and making proposals
- Developing, monitoring and evaluating " The Peace Cadre " project which is aimed to work as core group in all villages to defuse tension of conflict and create an atmosphere where violent incidence would not take place or would be minimal at times of conflict
- Developing non violent conflict resolution methods and lifestyles to be practised from the pre-school level to adulthood reaching schools, universities, workplaces and all other walks of life including different communities
4. Requirements
- Knowledge of English and /or one or both local languages of Sri Lanka
- Computer literacy and web designing
- Ability to adjust to simple living conditions according to local standards
- Prepare to travel and work with partner organisations of the project in different parts of the country
- Able to cook would be an advantage
- Good sense of humour and the willingness to learn and contribute
5. Project language
English, Sinhala and Tamil
6. Local language
Tamil and Sinhala and some English
7. Food
Local food. Sometimes spicy. Arranged with some caterers or if the volunteer is prepared to cook food themselves, arrangement can be made.
8. Accommodation
The Office has a room for the volunteer with basic condition. If it is a female volunteer and has some reservation to stay in this room, alternative arrangement could be made to stay in houses with either a staff member or friends. Volunteers from Europe and the USA have stayed in this room earlier.
9. Period
No restriction
10. Number of volunteers
1
11. Other volunteers working in the project
None at the moment
12. Deadline for applications
No deadline
13. Date when decision will be taken
Within two weeks of receipt of the application