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'Learning for Empathy' - Inaugural seminar and the launch of the project
With the generous contribution of the Government of Japan, the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office and supported by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok on 25 September 2020 launched the project, 鈥楲earning for Empathy: A teacher exchange and support program鈥 at the Ministry of Education in 鈥淚surupaya鈥, Battaramulla.
On the invitation of Dr P. N. Meegaswatte, Secretary-General, , the Chief Guest, Hon'ble Susil Premajayantha, State Minister of Educational Reforms graced the event, along with the Guest of Honour H.E. Akira Sugiyama, Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka.
The launch event also saw the participation of Hon. Seetha Arambepola, M.P., State Minister for Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Prof. Kapila Perera, Secretary of Education and Vice-Chairperson of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, State Secretary for Educational Reforms, Dr. Upali Sedera, as well as dignitaries from India and those representing other regional countries participating in this project, namely Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan, including Ministry of Education officials, principals, teachers and students from 50 schools.
The Chief Guest, Hon鈥檅le Susil Premajayantha in his address expressed his appreciation for the support extended by the Government of Japan and the positive impact of the project on principals, teachers and students. Dr P. N. Meegaswatte in his remarks, emphasized the importance of learning empathy for the promotion of peace, understanding and prevention of violence and solicited support from the stakeholders including the Ministry of Education in taking the project forward on a national level.
H.E. Akira Sugiyama expressed his thanks to the Sri Lankan National Commission for organising the event. Reflecting on the success of the teacher exchange program so far he reiterated that if the circumstances of COVID-19 permit, Japan hopes to invite teachers and students selected from all four countries under this project including from Sri Lanka early next year for a study visit to Japan to ascertain how it is being implemented and practised in Japan and to exchange views.
Another student thanked the organizers saying 鈥淓ven though I think I knew all about empathy, today I found out that there is much I can learn鈥.
Country presentations on project work implemented by respective countries in phase-I of the project were made by representatives from the participating countries, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan shared their own experiences on implementing projects on empathy through the project, by way of 鈥淶oom conferencing鈥 facilitated by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok.
As a follow up, the students are now involved in completing their project designs for which they will be supported through the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Finally, the best five schools will be selected to participate in a study visit to Japan.
In addition, schools were also provided an opportunity to register with the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) which links educational institutions across the world, currently over 11,500 ASPnet member schools in 182 countries work in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice.
Click here to visit Learning for Empathy* project page.
#LearningForEmpathy
