Pak-Sri Lanka joint seminar on political and diplomatic challenges

Islamabad: The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, will be organizing a joint seminar on “Political and Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Nations During and After Conflicts Confined to Borders” on 11th February 2013 from at the Kadirgamar Institute. The seminar is bringing together eminent personalities from both the countries to deliberate on the ramifications of conflicts on nations.

The thematic relevance of seminar to current national narratives of Sri Lanka and Pakistan will provide an introspective opportunity to develop frameworks for mitigation, averting and management of internal conflicts. Sharing experiences, the panel of experts, will provide policy inputs and frameworks for creating holistic paradigms to resolve political, economic and defence issues at home and diplomatic challenges faced in the international arena.

Universally, building an effective government within a constitutional framework that has the trust of the people is a political challenge that governments face during and after the conflicts. The need to address humanitarian crisis after a conflict, establishing the rule of law, maintaining macro-economic stability and development of social services and infrastructure are some of the post-conflict political challenges that will be discussed at the seminar.

The externalization of internal conflicts and the misrepresentation of facts during conflicts lead to diplomatic challenges. Diplomacy, in times of internal conflicts, is instrumental in managing relations and mustering international support for national cause. Furthermore, challenges in countering extremism and terrorism, and promoting pluralism will receive focus at the seminar. The seminar also aims at identifying economic opportunities and challenges in South Asia as a region.