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Does poverty cause conflict? A parley
Emerging poverty trends in Sri Lanka cannot be examined without considering the impact of various forms of social conflict, ranging from domestic violence and ethnic riots to the civil war in the country. Conversely, trends in poverty may themselves be a key factor that intensifies social conflict in a variety of settings. Recent research has emphasised the interconnectedness of conflict and poverty, recognising that one concept cannot be examined without reference to the other, says a spokesman for CEPA, a poverty analysis think-tank.

The Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) is a professional service provider established in 2001, promoting a better understanding of poverty related issues in Sri Lanka. The "Poverty and Conflict (PAC) programme, which is one of CEPA's four core programmes, was developed "in response to the interests and needs of the organisation as well as its clients'' according to CEPA's agenda planners.

The programme seeks to explore the nexus between conflict and poverty through applied research and networking with organisations, both within the country and outside, to produce conflict sensitive development approaches for Sri Lanka.

The Poverty and Conflict (PAC) programme at the Centre for Poverty Analysis invites interested researchers and development practitioners to the conference on 'Poverty and Conflict: Exploring the Complex Relationship' in Sri Lanka, to be held at the BMICH, Colombo on November 15 and 16.

This conference, furthering the conflict and poverty analysis agenda, aims to bring together a diverse range of individuals working in the areas of poverty and conflict throughout the country to explore the links between these concepts within the Sri Lankan context.

The Conference will be organised on three sub themes of Poverty and Political Conflict referring to conflict involving politically organised groups and the State. The Poverty and Social Conflict sub-theme refers to conflict involving non-state actors who may not be well organised.The poverty dimensions of conflicts involving, among others, vulnerable groups such as women and children, can provide important insights into the poverty-conflict relationship, says a CEPA expert.Poverty and Resource-Based Conflict, the third sub-theme refers to conflict directly related to natural resources such as water, fisheries or farmland.

Those who are interested in participating in the Conference, can register with Poverty and Conflict Programme Center for Poverty Analysis 29 Gregory's Road, Colombo 7, Phone 011 - 2676955-8 E-mail: racepa@sltnet.lk

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