" Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." Chinese Proverb |
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| Website Created and Maintained as a CSR Project by Members of the BPA Operations Committee |
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The BPA has a series of ongoing practical projects that combine private sector interests with a
commitment to conflict transformation and regional inclusion in peace and economic policy making
(see "What we do" page).
BPA participants are influential members of the local communities in which they operate. They are
well connected socially and have access to politicians, officials, international organisations and other
decision makers in Colombo. They are, therefore, part of a network connected vertically to both the
grassroots and the commanding heights. They also have horizontal connections with the conflicting
parties.
The BPA is clearly a regional network intended to work complementary to Colombo based institutions
and initiatives related to Peace and Regional Empowerment.
The core group of BPA founders were chosen because of their leadership qualities and commitment to
the cause they believe in: "Peace is necessary for economic development of the regions, and
economic development of the regions is necessary for sustaining peace in the country".
The BPA’s distinguishing characteristics:
commitment to conflict transformation and regional inclusion in peace and economic policy making
(see "What we do" page).
BPA participants are influential members of the local communities in which they operate. They are
well connected socially and have access to politicians, officials, international organisations and other
decision makers in Colombo. They are, therefore, part of a network connected vertically to both the
grassroots and the commanding heights. They also have horizontal connections with the conflicting
parties.
The BPA is clearly a regional network intended to work complementary to Colombo based institutions
and initiatives related to Peace and Regional Empowerment.
The core group of BPA founders were chosen because of their leadership qualities and commitment to
the cause they believe in: "Peace is necessary for economic development of the regions, and
economic development of the regions is necessary for sustaining peace in the country".
The BPA’s distinguishing characteristics:
- Non-hierarchical and non-partisan;
- Island-wide, province- and district-based;
- Composed of participants who represent their Chambers or other business associations;
- And, we are committed to fostering links between business and peace by practicing and
promoting:
- CONFLICT SENSITIVITY;
- SOCIAL JUSTICE, HARMONY, DIGNITY and TRUST;
- EMPOWERMENT of MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES;
- INTEGRITY, and GOOD GOVERNANCE in business;
- TRANSPARENCY;
- Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR;
- MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS;
- an "INCLUSIVE" approach;
- a "BUSINESS" approach;
- a "BOTTOM-UP" approach;
- RESPONSIBLE DIALOG, ADVOCACY and a "VOICE OF THE REGIONS".
"For the first time ever, the regional chambers of commerce throught Sri Lanka were linked together. As a result BPA - a formidable institution was created". Mr. Rajram Mohan Chairman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Trincomalee District |
