FCCISL peace initiative takes lessons from South Africa

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) which is spearheading the Business for Peace Initiative (BPA) is taking lessons from the South African experience of the business involvement in peace.

Picture shows Nawaz Rajabdeen presenting a gem studded silver and ebony elephant, a significant Sri Lankan cultural symbol to F. W. de Klerk.

A FCCISL delegation led by its President Nawaz Rajabdeen last week visited South Africa at the tail end of a study mission which also went to Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Rajabdeen said collective business responses have benefits, such as the pooling of scarce financial and human resources, to reach the scale and critical mass beyond the potential impact of any one corporation. He said South Africa provides some living evidence of the private sector’s contribution to the transformation process in unprecedented ways by promoting democracy and peace, as well as sustainable development.

During the week long programme in South Africa, the Sri Lankan delegation met a wide range of institutions and personalities. These include Ebrahim Ebrahim, Roelf Meyer, former Minister of Defense and Constitutional Affairs, Jayendra Naidoo, a former trade union leader turned successful businessman, Vasu Gounden, Executive Director, African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), representatives of the Business Unity of South Africa (BUSA) and former President of South Africa and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize F W de Klerk among others.