Set in spacious attractively landscaped surroundings, the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) is one of the foremost adult education centres in Sri Lanka. Conveniently located at Independence Square, yet away from the noise and rush of the city, the Institute is able to carry on its activities in an atmosphere of peace and quiet.
The Sri Lanka Foundation was established in 1973 under the Sri Lanka Foundation Law No. 31 which empowered it to work on human rights. One year later, the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute was set up under the same law on an agreement between the Sri Lanka Foundation and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of Germany. It is now an autonomous Institute functioning under the Presidential Secretariat and managed by a Board appointed by the President of Sri Lanka. SLFI is funded primarily by a government grant to the Foundation which is divided between its three Institutions.
"The Institute has a mandate to carry out adult education programmes designed to create awareness in the areas of democratisation, gender equity, community development, labour relations and ethnic harmony", said Dr. Tara de Mel, the current Director of SLFI. Adult education programmes are carried out through lectures, seminars, workshops, group discussions, exhibitions and so on
The well appointed SLFI complex built on a German grant includes an auditorium, three lecture halls, library, a spacious lobby and dining hall as well as a hostel of 30 double rooms. A wide range of modern audio visual aids, communication and recreational facilities are also available. The well equipped, air- conditioned auditorium, complete with simultaneous translation facilities for three languages accommodates 400 people. The three smaller lecture halls are also air-conditioned and equipped with modern audio visual aids making them ideally suited for smaller seminars, conferences and workshops. The library is accessible to participants and includes a SAARC Documentation Section which is the second of its kind in the region.
A series of adult educational programmes are organised by SLFI. "We think of subjects which are relevant to the public", said Dr. de Mel. "Most programmes are funded by the collaborators."
Speaking of ongoing programmes Dr. de Mel said, a programme on "Privatisation of State Ventures" has been organised in collaboration with the Public Enterprise Reform Commission (PERC). This programme which was inaugurated in July will continue for eight months.
Certain organisations have been listed for privatisation. The public, particularly the labour force oppose it in fear of insecurity of their future. A large number of workers do not understand what privatisation entails. They protest against it without really knowing what it is all about. Although an advertising agent has been hired by PERC, it is not sufficient to answer the workers' questions or still their fears. Thus an educational campaign has been organised to target those involved such as employees of organisations listed for privatisation, trade union leaders, media, university students as well as parliamentarians.
The programme aims to educate groups of people on the new trends of the world economy and its impact on the country. "lt is important to make them understand the importance of privatisation and its benefits", Dr. de Mel said. The programme will be conducted by senior economists, academics, management personnel and government officials who have studied the subject.
A Career Guidance programme for women has been undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Women's Bureau. This programme is intended to assist women in obtaining, skills development and training in certain disciplines or, suitable employment in keeping with their qualifications and education. Centres are to be set up within the existing Divisional Secretariats. The training of women leaders in these areas will be undertaken by SLFI.
A Counselling and English Teaching programme for migrant workers is also being planned in association with the Foreign Employment Bureau. Migrant workers represent a large source of foreign exchange earnings to the country. More and more women want to go to the Middle East and South Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore for more lucrative employment. English is needed for employment overseas. A programme of 2 - 4 months targets women workers seeking overseas employment. The course contents include communication in English, development of personality and confidence, counselling on how to cope with stress, management of finance on return to Sri Lanka and the handling of family matters during the period overseas. Experienced English teachers and counsellors will be commissioned to handle this programme.
A Maternal Health and Nutrition Education Programme in collaboration with New Zealand Milk Products was launched in May. The programme targets nurses, midwives and other relevant health care workers as well as the general public. This programme is designed to educate the public on the health care and suitable nutrition of pregnant mothers and proper procedures to follow after the birth of the baby. To make the messages more effective the media has been drawn in. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation assists by providing free air time to telecast educational messages compiled by senior medical consultants. A sixteen episode TV programme has been done on the subject.
Health hazards linked to pollution of environment were identified by an expert group from local bodies, Health, Environment and Legal sectors, following a seminar and workshop held at SLFI. A set of policy perspectives and recommendations were prepared and presented to H.E. the President on World Environment Day, 5th June 1996.
SLFI has commissioned experienced resource personnel to conduct a series of courses for state institutions, on the themes, Organisational Structure, Development of Interpersonal Relationships, and better communication. "Many institutions do not look into the situation of workers within the institution and how they fit into the organisational structure", said Dr. de Mel. "We are conducting these courses at a nominal fee for groups of personnel from state institutions."
In order to provide a forum for talented Sri Lankans, SLFI permits artists to use the premises free of charge for limited periods to exhibit their paintings and sculptures. A commission on sales is paid to the Institute. A cultural evening of music and art is also in the planning process.
During the last four years, SLFI has conducted training courses on Counselling for various groups including youth. The participants who are currently involved in some kind of counselling, realise the importance of such programmes. More recently, SLFI introduced training programmes for police personnel who are involved mainly in handling cases of women and children. The participants have found these courses to be relevant in their day to day duties.
It is strongly felt that this kind of training is necessary not only for the police but members of the Armed Forces as well. With the war situation in the country, service personnel in affected areas are often in need of counsellillg services. Most traumatic stress disorders are commonly found among members of the armed forces. Service personnel also have to deal with civilians in these areas. Counselling would also help them to deal with this better. The purpose of conducting training programmes on counselling for Police and Armed Forces is to train a group of service personnel who could then at least recognise the need for counselling and direct anyone who needs it to the relevant institutions.
Among the new courses planned for the coming year are seminars and workshops on "Responsible Journalism" for journalists of electronic and print media, Career Guidance for school leavers, Workshops for teachers, NGOs etc., on Time/Personnel Management, as well as Political Education for university teachers, student leaders and Provincial Councillors. Media programmes on "The Rights of a Patient", 'Education for Peace" are also being planned in association with Rupavahini.
In the face of the country situation and the changing needs of the people, SLFI continues to introduce new programmes focusing on issues of importance and relevance to the public. Thus it fulfils its mission of capacity are building for democratic development and social progress through adult education.
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