Category: Education and Skills
Client: United Nations Development Programme
The Colombo Development Dialogues are convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citra to bring together a diverse group of development thinkers, influencers, practitioners, private sector and policymakers with a specific focus on Sri Lanka and the South Asian region. Each Dialogue focuses on a key thematic area relevant to national development priorities and includes the development of a post dialogue policy paper that will collate key ideas and recommendations for national policy.
A defining feature of the Colombo Development Dialogues is the range of experts who convene to set the agenda and discuss comprehensive development solutions that are in line with national priorities. to discuss and provide holistic development solutions in line with the national priorities. Building on over 50 years of experience, UNDP believes in sharing knowledge and learning from those who have exposure and experience pertaining to relevant expertise, which will add value to the development discourse in Sri Lanka. Early iterations of CDD were conducted in partnership with the London School of Economics (LSE) South Asia Centre, Dilmah and the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo.
Such partnerships have helped facilitate knowledge sharing through their network of global academics and has also benefitted the undergraduate and graduate student body in Sri Lanka through the ‘Masterclass’ initiative which is an additional feature of the Colombo Development Dialogues, where research students will also gain global theoretical insights from visiting academics and subject experts.
The neatly crafted thematic areas of these Dialogues along with the Masterclass demonstrate the commitment of UNDP Sri Lanka to contribute to the literature of development both locally and globally and to generate a much-needed conversation on our progress towards achieving sustainable human development in the 2030 Agenda.
Educate the audience and student base on the extent of an identified theme or development challenge, with a focus on how it affects the lives of citizens in Sri Lanka and in the region.
Generate awareness on how these challenges are hindering countries in the region from achieving sustainable human development.
Brainstorm how we can address these challenges and what measures can be taken not only to comply with international obligations, but to also improve the livelihoods of their people.
Collate knowledge and information gathered at each dialogue into a policy paper that will be available to the public and generate further discussions around the said theme/development challenge.
Colombo Development Dialogues is an invitee-only event with around 125 participants expected to take part in each dialogue.
Key policy makers ranging from elected public representatives to senior public officials, influencers, private sector leaders, representatives of private sector platforms, academics, representatives from inter-governmental organizations, officials of the United Nations system, heads of national and regional think tanks and development policy institutes, relevant development journalists, youth, and students of the ‘Masterclass’ programme are expected to participate at each dialogue. To see a recap of past Dialogues, click here.
