partnering for progress copyright 2010 © the business for peace alliance

Partnering for Progress

Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers Network owned and operated by 23 Regional Chambers of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.of Commerce throughout Sri Lanka.

A “bottom up” regional platform to bring about A “bottom up” regional platform to bring about regional regional empowerment, reconciliation, national unityempowerment, reconciliation, national unity and the and the practice of practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)..

A “bottom up” lobby for aspirations of regional A “bottom up” lobby for aspirations of regional Small and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s)Medium Enterprises (SME’s), , with capacity to understand with capacity to understand and develop solutions for regional problemsand develop solutions for regional problems..

Works with partners to deliver Works with partners to deliver regional development regional development programs, and promotes business as a means to bring programs, and promotes business as a means to bring about more prosperous and peaceable communities.about more prosperous and peaceable communities.

Promotes Promotes Public-Private-People PartnershipsPublic-Private-People Partnerships and the and the People-Planet-Profit Business ModelPeople-Planet-Profit Business Model for for Sustainable Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment..


Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential Started in 2002 as an informal network of influential members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create members of the regional Chambers of Commerce, to create a platform for business to contribute towards the peace a platform for business to contribute towards the peace process, bringing advantage to both business and regional process, bringing advantage to both business and regional communities.communities.

Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in Success of the network led to institutionalization of BPA in 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a 2006, with a Secretariat being established in Colombo as a focal point for regional business.focal point for regional business.

Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited Incorporated in 2006 as a “Not for Profit” Company Limited by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri by Guarantee under the Registrar of Companies of Sri Lanka.Lanka.

Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Exclusively governed by a Board of Directors from 23 Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Regional Chambers representing every province in Sri Lanka.Lanka.

Guided by several respected business leaders and Guided by several respected business leaders and professionals from Colombo.professionals from Colombo.

Affiliated to 10 Colombo based Chambers and Associations.Affiliated to 10 Colombo based Chambers and Associations.Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance


23 Board Members23 Board Members 25 Regional Chambers25 Regional Chambers 3 Women’s Chambers3 Women’s Chambers 10 Affiliate Members10 Affiliate Members 15,000 Members 15,000 Members RepresentedRepresented

CommerCommer

cece (as (as

represented by represented by Regional Regional

Chambers)Chambers)

Conflict transformationConflict transformationLobbying & advocacyLobbying & advocacy

Networking & sharing good Networking & sharing good practicepractice

Influencing & engaging Influencing & engaging stakeholdersstakeholders

Improving understanding & Improving understanding & awarenessawarenessRegional empowermentRegional empowerment

Building capacityBuilding capacitySustainability & fundsSustainability & fundsPromoting responsible Promoting responsible

investmentinvestmentSecuring livelihoodsSecuring livelihoods

Copyright 2010 © The Business for Peace AllianceCopyright 2010 © The Business for Peace Alliance

The The People–Planet–ProfitPeople–Planet–Profit Model through Model through Public–Private–PeoplePublic–Private–People PartnershipsPartnerships

Raising Raising AwarenessAwareness

Identifying New Identifying New DevelopmentDevelopment

Influencing Influencing PolicyPolicy

Increasing Increasing UnderstandingUnderstanding

Collating Collating InformationInformation Developing Developing

ClustersClusters


BPABPAFeedback Local Feedback Local

Analysis EngagementAnalysis Engagement

Communication RelationshipCommunication RelationshipProposalProposalManagementManagement

DevelopmentDevelopment

Local Local Engagement Engagement FeedbackFeedback AnalysisAnalysis

Relationship Relationship CommunicationCommunicationManagementManagement

ProposalProposalDevelopmentDevelopment

Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts 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 to bring about greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of

Commerce. Commerce.

•Voice of Regions Voice of Regions MagazineMagazine•Regional Producers Regional Producers DirectoryDirectory•Promoting SME’sPromoting SME’s

Support & Support & Engagement Engagement

New DevelopmentNew DevelopmentInitiativesInitiatives

Policy Policy ChangeChange

Championing Championing ChangeChange

Sharing Best Sharing Best PracticePractice

InformationInformation& Support& Support

Funding Bodies

Project Project Management Management Communication Communication

Review Review

Relationship PartnershipsRelationship PartnershipsManagementManagement


ProjectProjectDesignDesign

•BizPActBizPAct•Reconciliation Reconciliation CommitteesCommittees•Learn & LeadLearn & Lead

Conduit between national and regional policy makers, BPA complements the regions’ own efforts 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 to bring about greater levels of empowerment and opportunity to the regions via the Chambers of

Commerce. Commerce.

Reconciliation CommitteesReconciliation Committees

Networking Regional Business for Conflict Networking Regional Business for Conflict Transformation.Transformation.

Business leadership for Community leaders to Business leadership for Community leaders to network.network.

Early warning system – prevention of conflict.Early warning system – prevention of conflict.

Mitigate escalation of conflict.Mitigate escalation of conflict.

Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi religious Peace Building activities - multi ethnic, multi religious festivals, trade fairs….festivals, trade fairs….


Peace through EmpowermentPeace through Empowerment

Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Peace & Conflict from a Regional Empowerment Perspective in Sri Lanka.Perspective in Sri Lanka.

Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.Increase awareness of conflict on the ground.

Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional Awareness of need for sharing of power at regional level for regional empowerment.level for regional empowerment.

Awareness programs on issues such as the New Awareness programs on issues such as the New Companies Act and the New Electricity Act.Companies Act and the New Electricity Act.

Communication skills for better understanding.Communication skills for better understanding.


Building the Capacity of RegionsBuilding the Capacity of Regions

BPA runs best practice workshops involving BPA runs best practice workshops involving representatives from all regions.representatives from all regions.

Reconciliation among communities.Reconciliation among communities.

Sharing experiences in income generation.Sharing experiences in income generation.

Communication and presentation skills.Communication and presentation skills.

Bridging the gap between the center and the regions Bridging the gap between the center and the regions for sustainable and equitable socio-economic for sustainable and equitable socio-economic development in the country.development in the country.


BizPAct :BizPAct :

Engagement with Investors - Engagement with Investors - Big business and the Big business and the DiasporaDiaspora

Links with Sri Lankan diaspora.Links with Sri Lankan diaspora.

Creating a platform to allow big business to partner in Creating a platform to allow big business to partner in regional investment an development in a context regional investment an development in a context sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.sensitive, responsible and sustainable manner.

Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the Diaspora to develop a stronger understanding of the context in Sri Lanka’s regions and helping to dispel some context in Sri Lanka’s regions and helping to dispel some of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.of the polarised perspectives of this influential community.


Learn & Lead:Learn & Lead:

Empowering YouthEmpowering Youth

A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with A multi-stakeholder CSR initiative implemented by BPA with the support of an imminent National Steering Committee.the support of an imminent National Steering Committee.

Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing Understanding regional youth aspirations and providing opportunities for opportunities for developing developing future leaders from the future leaders from the regions. regions.

Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions Scholarship scheme for outstanding students from regions affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive affected by conflict and poverty to obtain a comprehensive education in leading private schools.education in leading private schools.

Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic Leadership skills development workshops in a multi-ethnic environment for youth in the regions.environment for youth in the regions.


Business for Unity AwardsBusiness for Unity Awards

Rewarding business for contribution to National Rewarding business for contribution to National UnityUnity

The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organized by The “Business for Unity Awards” ceremony organized by the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry the Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of International Alert and BPA. with the support of International Alert and BPA.

Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their Paying tribute to regional business leaders for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and their personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse personal contribution to foster unity amongst diverse ethnic and social groups in their communities and the ethnic and social groups in their communities and the country. country.


Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)Promoting Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s)

Strengthening links with local and national media to Strengthening links with local and national media to promote regional small and medium entrepreneurs and promote regional small and medium entrepreneurs and enterprises through the media and the internet.enterprises through the media and the internet.

Regional Business Directory – publication of profiles of Regional Business Directory – publication of profiles of regional businesses across the country.regional businesses across the country.

Collaboration with the Association of Small and Medium Collaboration with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka.Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka.

Investment promotion through programs such as Investment promotion through programs such as BizPAct.BizPAct.


Advocacy between the top and bottomAdvocacy between the top and bottom

Constitutional ReformsConstitutional Reforms

Budget ProposalsBudget Proposals

Voice of Regions NewsletterVoice of Regions Newsletter

Media and internetMedia and internet

Symposia and workshops island wideSymposia and workshops island wide

Understanding the New Companies Act and Electricity ActUnderstanding the New Companies Act and Electricity Act

Understanding Labor laws and TaxationUnderstanding Labor laws and Taxation


Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action Rebuilding Sri Lanka - Post War Action

Support to IDPs. Support to IDPs.

Milk food and medical assistance to women and children Milk food and medical assistance to women and children in hospitals in Vavuniya and Trincomalee.in hospitals in Vavuniya and Trincomalee.

Supply of essential items to camps in Vavuniya. Supply of essential items to camps in Vavuniya.

Support to children in camps in Vavuniya. Support to children in camps in Vavuniya.

Livelihood development for future. Livelihood development for future.

Language for livelihood. Language for livelihood.

Re-integration of ex-combatants - transform ex-Re-integration of ex-combatants - transform ex-combatants into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking combatants into entrepreneurs - business skills, linking with chambers and mentoring by senior regional with chambers and mentoring by senior regional businessmen. businessmen.

Learn and Lead scholarships. Learn and Lead scholarships.


Core funding to maintain and develop the Secretariat.Core funding to maintain and develop the Secretariat.

Staff mostly regional – lack of English skills and Staff mostly regional – lack of English skills and exposure with high level local and international exposure with high level local and international stakeholders.stakeholders.

Directors 23 – scattered all over the country, financial Directors 23 – scattered all over the country, financial and time commitments to own districts and chambers, and time commitments to own districts and chambers, lack of expertise, experience and sophistication, less lack of expertise, experience and sophistication, less links with national policy makers and high level stake links with national policy makers and high level stake holders based in Colombo.holders based in Colombo.

Partnerships – Public, Private, People.Partnerships – Public, Private, People.

Keeping island wide network and stakeholders actively Keeping island wide network and stakeholders actively informed and engaged – Communication.informed and engaged – Communication.

Income generating programs – Need seed money to Income generating programs – Need seed money to develop BizPAct, a Chamber/Business Support Services develop BizPAct, a Chamber/Business Support Services Unit and Voice of Regions Newsletter/Magazine.Unit and Voice of Regions Newsletter/Magazine.


Regional Empowerment: Regional Empowerment: Bringing ownership and active Bringing ownership and active participation in regional development by the people of the participation in regional development by the people of the regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to regions while giving space for these entrepreneurs to develop confidence in ones own capacity.develop confidence in ones own capacity.

Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society Creating responsible leaders and stakeholders of society with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for with the capacity to change attitudes conducive for sustainable development and peace. sustainable development and peace.

Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation:Conflict Transformation and Reconciliation: Social Social cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of cohesion through commerce to break through barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Philanthropy and CSR:Philanthropy and CSR: Going beyond charity to create Going beyond charity to create ““social valuesocial value” - giving a “” - giving a “hand-uphand-up” as opposed to a hand-” as opposed to a hand-out.out.


1.1. Ampara District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryAmpara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry2.2. Anuradapura District Chamber of CommerceAnuradapura District Chamber of Commerce3.3. Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryBatticaloa District Chamber of Commerce & Industry4.4. Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industry & CommerceCentral Province Women's Chamber of Small Industry & Commerce5.5. Chamber of Commerce & Industries of YarlpanamChamber of Commerce & Industries of Yarlpanam6.6. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Central ProvinceChamber of Commerce & Industry Central Province7.7. Chamber of Commerce & Industry Uva ProvinceChamber of Commerce & Industry Uva Province8.8. Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee DistrictChamber of Commerce & Industry of Trincomalee District9.9. Galle District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryGalle District Chamber of Commerce & Industry10.10. Galle District Women’s Chamber of CommerceGalle District Women’s Chamber of Commerce11.11. Hambantota District Chamber of CommerceHambantota District Chamber of Commerce12.12. Jaffna Chamber of CommerceJaffna Chamber of Commerce13.13. Kalutara District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryKalutara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry14.14. Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & AgricultureKegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture15.15. Killinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & AgricultureKillinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture16.16. Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & AgricultureMannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture17.17. Matale District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryMatale District Chamber of Commerce & Industry18.18. Matara District Chamber of Commerce & IndustryMatara District Chamber of Commerce & Industry19.19. Matara District Women's Chamber of CommerceMatara District Women's Chamber of Commerce20.20. Moneragala District Chamber of CommerceMoneragala District Chamber of Commerce21.21. Polonnaruwa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & AgriculturePolonnaruwa District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture22.22. Puttalam District Chamber of CommercePuttalam District Chamber of Commerce23.23. Sabaragamuwa Province Chamber of Commerce & IndustrySabaragamuwa Province Chamber of Commerce & Industry24.24. Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & AgricultureVavuniya District Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture25.25. Wayamba Chamber of Commerce and IndustryWayamba Chamber of Commerce and Industry


1.1. Sri Lanka First – The Business Initiative for Peace & Sri Lanka First – The Business Initiative for Peace & DevelopmentDevelopment

2.2. Sri Lanka Business Development CenterSri Lanka Business Development Center

3.3. Association of Small & Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Association of Small & Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri LankaLanka

4.4. Young Entrepreneurs Sri LankaYoung Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka

5.5. Youth Business Sri LankaYouth Business Sri Lanka

6.6. Ceylon Chamber of CommerceCeylon Chamber of Commerce

7.7. Employers Federation of CeylonEmployers Federation of Ceylon

8.8. National Chamber of Exporters of Sri LankaNational Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka

9.9. American Chamber of Commerce in Sri LankaAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka

10.10. European Chamber of Commerce of Sri LankaEuropean Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka


partnering for progress copyright 2010 © the business for peace alliance

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