Investing in youth who want to change the world for good
Founder of Sri Lanka Unites, Prashan De Visser’s first book, “Phoenix Generation” was launched at the BMICH Cinema Lounge on March 30. The recipient of the Commonwealth Point of Light award, Prashan was inspired to write the book while reading for his Master’s at the University of Notre Dame, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
At the book launch at the BMICH. Pix by Nisal Baduge
Prashan observed that every textbook required for his course was by authors from the West. “Most of these conflicts, the violence, the civil wars, the high levels of corruption and difficulties are happening in the global South. How can we assume that the solutions are going to come from a place where there hasn’t been a civil war in hundreds of years? It has to have more voices from the midst of the conflict writing them.”
Prashan encourages readers to think about the possibility of a youth-led conflict transformation and reconciliation by drawing on historical movements for change and his 15 years of experience leading youth movements for peace — Sri Lanka Unites, and later, Global Unites. “I believe local young leaders who were born into poverty, corruption, and violence are tired of this existence and they want to bring about change – I’ve spent time in countries like Congo, Sierra Leone, Myanmar and Afghanistan and I look into the eyes of these young people and see that they know there is something better and they are willing to take the risk to bring about change. What if we invest in them? What if we inspire them? What if we create a platform for them? They would do the unthinkable.”
Prashan De Visser
Former American President Barack Obama’s one-time spiritual advisor, Dr. Joel C. Hunter says, “This book is a must read for anyone who wants to change the world for good. It is written by one of the world’s top young leaders, who has created a movement and an incredible global organization (Global Unites) that will shape our future. Prashan De Visser explains the components and strategies for peaceful resolution. Inspirational in its hope, compelling in its stories, and factual in its history, the Phoenix Generation calls us to join young leaders, going into a future of cooperation and fulfilling potential.”
Copies of the book were distributed to student representatives of chapters of Sri Lanka Unites in Colombo to be made available in their school libraries.
Sri Lanka Unites was founded in 2006 to bring together Sri Lankan youth from all ethnic and religious backgrounds to promote peace in Sri Lanka. Established prior to the end of the war, the movement has grown significantly and is supported by nearly 30,000 members, 40 staff and nine offices across the island, one in nearly every province. Presently it counts more than a million young people across the nation.
In 2015, Global Unites was created in response to Sri Lanka Unites and now serves as an umbrella organisation for youth-led reconciliation in 13 countries including Kenya, Congo, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Palestine, and USA.
“Phoenix Generation” is available at leading bookshops in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Jaffna and online through Kapruka.com- in Sri Lanka and on Amazon.
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