The Voices of Reconciliation project aims to increase the capacity of civil society organisations to effectively engage in the peace process and strengthen professional media that supports Sri Lanka’s transition to democracy and reconciliation.

Fair, balanced and independent media is essential to good governance, effective public administration and the capacity of Sri Lankans to achieve a negotiated peace settlement and undertake a successful post-tsunami reconstruction program.

A professional media with a responsibility to the public interest, independent of government or partisan influence and interference, is a vital part of the series of checks and balances central to democracy.

The practice of journalism in Sri Lanka faces many challenges.

These challenges are of concern to Sri Lankan citizens but journalists, working together in professional solidarity, by building a culture of independent journalism, have a pivotal role to lead the campaign for media reform.

The Voices of Reconciliation Project is an idea of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA).

CPA implements all aspects of the project in Sri Lanka, with support from the Institute of Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS). The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are consultants to the project.

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) was formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the vital contribution of civil society to the public policy debate is in need of strengthening. Focusing primarily on issues of governance and conflict resolution, CPA is committed to programmes of research and advocacy through which public policy is critiqued, alternatives identified and disseminated. CPA is an independent, non-partisan organization which receives funds from international and bilateral funding agencies and foundations.

For more details of the organisation, please visit www.cpalanka.org

For more details of the Media Unit, please visit www.cpalanka.org/media.html

IMPACS, the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society, is a Canadian charitable organization committed to the protection and expansion of democracy and to strengthening civil society. IMPACS believes that a strong democracy requires three key elements, and our work supports our efforts to create an environment in which democratic values can thrive.

• An articulate and vocal civil society. Through our Communications Centre, we provide communication training and services to not-for-profit organizations, helping them become more articulate about their causes and more effective at telling their stories.
• An accountable and accessible media. Through our Media Programs, we support and build programs to facilitate the emergence of free, open and accountable media in countries in transition to democracy.
• Government policies that foster democratic development.  Through our Charities and Democracy Project, we work with civil society organizations and the Canadian government to redefine the laws that restrict charities from effectively engaging in public policy.

Please visit our website here.

AusAID is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing the Australian Government's official overseas aid program. The objective of the aid program is to advance Australia's national interest by helping developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

AusAID provides policy advice and support to the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary on development policy, and plans and coordinates poverty reduction activities in partnership with developing countries.

AusAID's head office is in Canberra. AusAID also have representatives in 25 Australian diplomatic missions overseas.
Portfolio Partners

The Australian Agency for International Development is an administratively autonomous agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

In addition to AusAID the organisations comprising the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio are the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Centre for Agricultural Research (ACIAR), AusTrade and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.

Please visit the AusAID website here.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is the
federal agency charged with planning and implementing most of Canada's
development cooperation program in order to reduce poverty and to
contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.

CIDA administers approximately 80 percent of the aid budget. The other 20 percent is administered by the Department of Finance, the Foreign Affairs Canada and the International Development Research Centre.

CIDA supports projects in more than 150 countries, which represent four
fifths of the world's population. CIDA works in partnership with
developing countries, Canadian organizations, institutions and
businesses, as well as international organizations and agencies.

CIDA and other development agencies around the world are working in
ever-greater coordination to achieve together what none of them could
individually. At the United Nations Millennium Summit in
September 2000, world leaders agreed on a set of goals to guide
and coordinate international development efforts.

Please visit CIDA's website here.

The International Federation of Journalists is the world's largest organisation of journalists. First established in 1926, it was relaunched in 1946 and again, in its present form, in 1952. Today the Federation represents around 500.000 members in more than 100 countries.

The IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists.

The IFJ does not subscribe to any given political viewpoint, but promotes human rights, democracy and pluralism.

The IFJ is opposed to discrimination of all kinds and condemns the use of media as propaganda or to promote intolerance and conflict.

The IFJ believes in freedom of political and cultural expression and defends trade union and other basic human rights.

The IFJ is the organisation that speaks for journalists within the United Nations system and within the international trade union movement.

The IFJ supports journalists and their unions whenever they are fighting for their industrial and professional rights and has established an International Safety Fund to provide humanitarian aid for journalists in need.

IFJ policy is decided by the Congress which meets every three years and work is carried out by the Secretariat based in Brussels under the direction of an elected Executive Committee. The last Congress was held in Athens on 24-30 May, 2004.

Please visit the IFJ website here and the IFJ Asia Pacific website here.

Please download the attaachment to get an overview of the Voices of Reconciliation project and the activities of the Media Unit at the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA).

Video created for the launch of the Media Charter in support of Public Service Media values in Sri Lankan journalism.

You can download the file here

The file size is 62Mb and requires a suitable fast internet connection to download. The file should play on Windows XP, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems.