Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers of
Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.
A “bottom up” and “inclusive” regional platform to bring
about regional empowerment, reconciliation, national unity
and the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
A “bottom up” lobby for needs and aspirations of regional
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), with capacity to
understand and develop solutions for regional problems.
Works with partners to deliver regional development
programs, and promotes business as a means to bring about
more prosperous and peaceable communities.
Promotes Public-Private-People Partnerships and the People-
Planet-Profit Business Model for Sustainable Development.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create a platform for business to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and regional communities.
Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a focal point for regional business.
Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka.
Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Lanka.
Guided by several respected business leaders and professionals who voluntarily support BPA’s activities.
Affiliated to 10 Colombo based Chambers and Associations.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
23 Board Members
(Represented exclusively by nominees
of the 23 Regional Chambers)
26 Regional Chambers
4 Women’s Chambers
(Total regional representation over
15,000 enterprises)
10 Affiliate Members
Commerce(as represented by
Regional
Chambers)
Peace
Conflict transformation
Reconciliation
Lobbying & advocacy
Networking & sharing good practice
Influencing & engaging stakeholders
Improving understanding & awareness
Empowerment
Institutional capacity
Sustainability & funds
Responsible investment
Social entrepreneurship
Sustainable livelihoods
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
The People–Planet–Profit Model through Public–Private–People Partnerships
MediaGovernment
Big Business,
NGO’s & other
Stakeholders
Funding
Bodies
Raising
Awareness
Identifying New
Development
Influencing
Policy
Increasing
Understanding
Collating
Information Developing
Clusters
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
BPA
Feedback Local Analysis
Engagement
Communication Relationship Proposal
Management
Development
Local Partnerships Research
Engagement Feedback Analysis
Relationship Communication
Management
Proposal
Development
Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts to bring about
greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.
Voice of Regions Magazine
Regional Producers Directory
Promoting SME’s / BizPAct
Support &
Engagement
New Development
Initiatives
Policy
Change
Championing
Change
Sharing Best
Practice
Information
& Support
Funding
Bodies
Project Monitoring
Management Communication Review
Relationship Partnerships
Management Feedback
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Project
Design
MediaGovernment
Big Business,
NGO’s & other
Stakeholders
Reconciliation Committees
Learn & Lead
Investment / BizPAct
Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts to bring about
greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of Commerce.
Reconciliation / Harmony Development Committees
Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation and
Reconciliation.
Multi-stakeholder committees and business leadership for
community harmony.
Early warning system – prevention of conflict.
Mitigate escalation of conflict.
Workshops & Seminars on Best Practices in Peace Building –
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation.
Community Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi
religious events - festivals, trade fairs….
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Peace through Empowerment
Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective
in Sri Lanka.
Communication skills for better understanding.
Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.
Awareness of the need for sharing of power at regional level
for regional empowerment.
Stakeholder participation and ownership at local level.
Awareness programs on issues such as the New Companies Act
and the New Electricity Act.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Building the Capacity of Regions
BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives
from all regions.
Reconciliation among communities.
Sharing experiences in income generation.
Communication and presentation skills.
Bridging the gap between the center and the regions for
sustainable and equitable socio-economic development in
the country.
Inclusive participatory approach to develop regional level
ownership and responsibility.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
BizPAct :
Engagement with Investors & Policy Makers- Big business, the Diaspora and the Government
A platform to allow big business and the diaspora to explore joint venture partnerships with regional SME’s in a context sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.
Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the context in Sri Lanka’s regions and help dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.
SME’s, Investors, and policy makers to understand the needs and aspirations of each other and engage in socially and environmentally sound, responsible and sustainable investments that benefit all.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Learn & Lead:
Empowering Youth - Leadership
A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with the
support of an imminent National Steering Committee.
Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing
opportunities for developing future leaders from the regions.
Scholarship scheme for deserving students from regions
affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive
education in leading private schools.
Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic
environment for youth in the regions.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL):
Strategic Alliance – Entrepreneurship Development
Strategic Partnership with YESL to develop BizPAct entrepreneurs.
Provide support to uplift and assist Regional Small & Medium
Entrepreneurs (SME’s) in Sri Lanka to develop their enterprises.
Conduct workshops and SWOT analysis for SME’s, and site visits to
share experience of successful projects.
Training for the SME’s to prepare Business Plans, and Trade &
Market Development Plans.
YESL partnered BPA at the “BizPAct - Invest in Sri Lanka
Symposium 2009” which was attended by over 200 participants.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL):
Empowering Youth - Entrepreneurship
A CSR initiative in support of Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka.
Promoting investment in our youth and the future of our nation
through youth entrepreneurship programs in regional schools.
Sharing best practices and knowledge between established
business and young entrepreneurs.
Fostering unity and harmony (and reconciliation) among youth.
Promoting Social & Environmental Stewardship and the “People-
Planet-Profit” Business Model.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL):
Co-hosting Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)
A worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people promoting entrepreneurship.
25,000 events, millions of participants, 1 week.
Mentoring Madness, Global Innovation Tournament, Global Cleantech Competition, Speed Network the Globe.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL):
Empowering Disadvantaged Youth
Collaboration with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for the
country wide expansion of the Hambantota Youth Business Trust
(HYBT) of the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce.
Implemented in 32 countries and modeled after the Youth Business
International of UK, to address socio-economic exclusion of youth
from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Provision of financial support to those who have a viable business
idea, to start up such enterprises and to provide business support
through Regional Chambers of Commerce and specifically through
a business mentor.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Association of Small and MediumEnterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET):
Strategic Alliance – Empowering SME’s in Tourism
Regional Chambers as a focal point for local tourism development.
Institutional development and organization of the SME’s in tourism (largely an informal sector operating in isolation at this time).
Conducting seminars and workshops for product development, quality assurance and sharing best practices.
Lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the SME’s in tourism.
Stakeholder awareness and familiarization tours.
Managing expectations and impacts, and promoting Responsible Tourism where benefits are shared equitably with local communities.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Business for Unity Awards
Rewarding business for contribution to National Unity
The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organized by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of International Alert and BPA.
Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse ethnic and social groups in their communities and the country.
Respected and qualified persons act in an independent panel of judges to select the winners through a transparent and credible process.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Advocacy between the top and the bottom
Voice of Regions Newsletter.
Media and internet.
Symposia and workshops island wide.
Affiliation with Big Business and Policy Makers.
Understanding the New Companies Act and Electricity Act.
Understanding Labor laws and Taxation.
Submitting Proposals for Constitutional Reforms.
Submitting Proposals for National Budget.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action & CSR
Support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s).
Assistance to hospitals.
Supply of essential items to camps.
Support to women and children in camps.
Livelihood development for future.
Language for livelihood.
Re-integration of ex-combatants - transform ex-combatants
into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking with chambers
and mentoring by senior regional businessmen.
Learn and Lead scholarships.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)
Strengthening links with local and national media to promote
regional SME’s through print and electronic media.
Regional Producers Directory – publication of profiles of
regional businesses across Sri Lanka.
Tourism development programs in collaboration with the
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri
Lanka (ASMET).
Investment promotion through programs such as BizPAct.
Entrepreneur development programs in collaboration with
Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL).
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Fundraising to develop and maintain the Secretariat.
Staff mostly regional – Need to develop communication skills and
gain exposure to high level local and international stakeholders.
23 Directors of the Board – Scattered all over the country,
financial and time commitments to own districts and chambers,
lack of expertise, experience and sophistication to engage
appropriately with national policy makers and high level
stakeholders.
Maintaining Public, Private, People partnerships.
Keeping island wide network and stakeholders actively informed
and engaged – Communication.
Income generating programs – Need seed money to develop self
sustaining business models for BizPAct, Voice of Regions
Newsletter/Magazine, and the Chamber/business support
/extension services.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Regional Empowerment: Bringing ownership and active participation in regional development by the people of the regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to develop confidence in their own capacity.
Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for sustainable development and peace.
Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation: Social cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
Philanthropy and CSR: Going beyond charity to create “social value” - giving a “hand-up” as opposed to a hand-out.
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
1. Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
2. Anuradapura District Chamber of Commerce
3. Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
4. Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industry & Commerce
5. Chamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam
6. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Central Province
7. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Uva Province
8. Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee District
9. Galle District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
10. Galle District Women’s Chamber of Commerce
11. Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce
12. Jaffna Chamber of Commerce
13. Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
14. Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
15. Kurunegala District Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agri Business
16. Killinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
17. Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
18. Matale District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
19. Matara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry
20. Matara District Women's Chamber of Commerce
21. Moneragala District Chamber of Commerce
22. Polonnaruwa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
23. Puttalam District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agri Business
24. Sabaragamuwa Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry
25. Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
26. Wayamba Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
1. Maharaja Organization
2. Wijeya Newspapers
3. Young Asia Television
4. Smart Media
5. Triad
6. Lanka Orix Finance Company
7. HSBC Bank
8. Lanka Fishing Flies
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
LANKA FISHING FLIES
1. The Ministry of Disaster Management
2. The Ministry of Investment Promotion
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4. The Ministry of Finance
5. The Central Bank
6. The Board of Investment (BOI)
7. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
8. National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA)
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
1. American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka
2. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka
3. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
4. Employers Federation of Ceylon
5. European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
6. National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka
7. Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust
8. Pathfinder Foundation
9. Sewa Lanka Foundation
10. Sri Lanka Business Development Center
11. Sri Lanka First
12. Sri Lanka Unites
13. Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
1. International Alert
2. UNDP
3. VSO
4. The Netherlands Embassy
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance
Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance