
Conference Program
Our conference takes place at the International Centre for Ethnic Studies in Colombo, a comfortable venue supporting a 70-person gathering. The address is 02, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka (Google Maps)
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025
Location
International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Google Map
Registration
3:30 PM
A Good Beginning
4:00 The seeds of this gathering - remembering Mohammed Nadhir Dean, Mrs. Sithie Tiruchelvam and Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam
Welcome Keynote and remarks
4:15 Radhika Coomaraswamy opening keynote with introduction by conference organizing team led by Mario Gomez
The Work of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust
4:45 Talk by Ambika Satkunanathan on the work of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust and its partners in responding to issues of human dignity
Art Exhibition
5:15 PM Sex Work in Sri Lanka with Radhika Hettiarachchi
Dinner
6:00PM at ICES (included in registration)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025
Location
International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Google Map
Registration and Art Exhibition Open All Day at the Centre
The Morning
7:30 Light breakfast & coffee at local cafes (TBA) (included in registration)
9:00 - 10:30 Breakout Sessions/Panels
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee/tea on-site
11:00 - 12:30 Breakout Sessions/Panels
Lunch 12:30 - 1:30 on-site (included in registration)
The Afternoon
1:30 - 2:30 Panel ~ International Youth Council (IYC) will host a panel discussion, The Role of Faith in Human Dignity, Gender-Based Violence, Social Justice, and Indigenous Rights
2:45 - 4:00 Breakout Sessions/Panels on-site
4:15 - 5:15 Let’s get moving with dance and nature sessions
Dinner: on your own
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
Location
International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Google Map
Art Exhibition Open All Day at the Centre Open All Day
The Morning
7:30 Light breakfast & coffee at local cafes (TBA, included in registration)
9:00 - 10:30 Breakout Sessions/Panels on-site
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee/tea on-site
11:00 - 12:30 Breakout Sessions/Panels
Lunch 12:30 - 1:30 on-site (included in registration)
The Afternoon
1:30 - 2:30 Panel LGBTQIA Cafe Discussion
2:45 - 4:00 Breakout Sessions/Panels
4:00 - Closing Panel Slivers of Dignity -Editors Amjad Mohamed Saleem and Kanchana N. Ruwanpura set the stage in this discussion of contemporary Sri LankaGather to contemplate next steps
5:00 Closing remarks