25 Years of Impact: How Sri Lanka’s EDWF Has Supported More Than 100,000 People and Created Change Through Peace

If an organization has made a difference in the lives of more than 100,000 people over 25 years, where did the driving force behind that change come from?

 

For some, it may have opened doors to education; for others, it may have offered hope to rebuild their lives after a disaster; and for still others, it may have been the starting point for putting peace into practice.

Peace means much more than simply the absence of war.

 

When we help neighbors in need, build understanding among people from different backgrounds, and young people take part in bringing change to their communities, peace gradually becomes part of everyday life.

Over the past 25 years, Sri Lanka’s Economic Development and Welfare Foundation (EDWF) has helped bring about this kind of change by supporting more than 100,000 people.

 

So, what kinds of activities has EDWF carried out to support so many people over the years?

And how have its efforts in education, social welfare, and environmental protection encouraged greater youth participation and contributed to peacebuilding?

 

Today, let's explore the work of EDWF, a partner member organization of the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and discover how small actions within local communities can lead to greater progress toward peace.

 

 

🌱 25 Years of Supporting Local Communities

The Economic Development and Welfare Foundation (EDWF) was established in 2000 and officially registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the Sri Lankan government in 2002.

Focusing primarily on the Kandy and Matale districts in central Sri Lanka, EDWF has continued its work in education, environmental protection, disaster recovery, youth and women's empowerment, and peacebuilding.

 

What kinds of support lie behind the figure of 100,000 people?

More important than simply increasing the number of people reached is understanding how that support has made a meaningful difference in people's lives and communities.

 

From education and social welfare to post-disaster recovery and community development, EDWF has supported people in need through a wide range of initiatives.

The fact that EDWF has supported more than 100,000 people over the past 25 years shows that these efforts have continued over a long period of time.

 

Understanding Sri Lanka's historical background allows us to appreciate the significance of these initiatives even more deeply.

Sri Lanka experienced a civil war from 1983 to 2009 and was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Social conflict and natural disasters created enormous challenges not only for individuals' lives but also for communities striving to recover and rebuild.

Against this backdrop, EDWF has carried out initiatives to support community recovery and promote sustainable development.

 

However, the power to transform communities goes beyond providing assistance and supporting recovery efforts.

For change to last, community members must take an active role, and the next generation must be empowered to carry that work forward.

This is where it becomes important to look at the youth peace initiatives that EDWF has carried out in partnership with IPYG. 

 

🤝 Expanding Youth Participation in Peacebuilding in Partnership with IPYG

 

Through its partnership with IPYG, EDWF has expanded opportunities for young people to participate directly in peace initiatives.

Young people are not simply individuals who learn about the importance of peace.

They are also active agents who can identify challenges in their communities, collaborate with others, and bring about change themselves.

 

Key initiatives include the community-led Saemaul Movement, the Youth Empowerment for Peace Class (YEPC), and the Youth Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW).

These initiatives provide a foundation for young people to go beyond simply learning about peace and actively put its values into practice within their own communities.

EDWF has also organized sports campaigns to mark Nelson Mandela International Day, as well as tree-planting activities promoting peace in celebration of Sri Lanka's Independence Day.

 

Sports exchanges and tree-planting activities offer practical ways for people from different backgrounds to come together.

Rather than relying on grand slogans, these activities create opportunities to share the values of peace and develop mutual understanding through shared experiences.

 

These initiatives encourage community participation, help people put the values of peace into practice in their daily lives, and create opportunities to deepen mutual understanding.

So, what is needed to ensure that these activities go beyond one-time events and grow into a broader movement for peace?

Sustained cooperation and a strong foundation that supports youth participation are essential.

  

🌍 United for Peace: Building a Better Future Together

 

EDWF and IPYG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), agreeing to work together to promote peace, strengthen youth leadership, encourage cultural exchange, and foster greater mutual understanding.

This partnership is significant because it goes beyond simple exchanges and establishes a foundation for connecting youth participation and community initiatives with broader peacebuilding efforts.

 

For local initiatives to create a greater impact, individual efforts alone are not enough; people also need to share experiences and work together toward common goals.

The partnership between EDWF and IPYG demonstrates the potential for young people to participate in peace initiatives and build on those experiences to expand their efforts within their local communities.

Muhammad Nawab Mohamed Thusan, President of EDWF, emphasized that young people should be recognized not only as future leaders but also as partners in building peace today.

This perspective raises an important question.

Is it right to leave the responsibility for building peace entirely to future generations?

Young people are not only the future leaders of society; they are also active members of society who are bringing about change right now.

When young people take the initiative and learn to appreciate different cultures and perspectives, peace can become a greater part of everyday life for more people.

 

🕊 A More Peaceful Future Begins with All of Us

 

EDWF's work with more than 100,000 people over the past 25 years reminds us of one important truth.

Peace is not something others create for us. It is an ongoing process built through the continuous efforts of people living and working together.

Expanding educational opportunities, helping neighbors recover from difficulties, and supporting young people in participating in their communities are all meaningful steps toward peace.

When small changes build on one another and become interconnected, communities can gradually transform for the better.

It all begins with a willingness to understand one another, the initiative to reach out first, and the determination to take action together.

Just as EDWF and IPYG continue taking steps toward peace, each of us can begin creating positive change wherever we are.

 

If one small step we take today can help create a more peaceful tomorrow, what change would you like to make?

It could be reaching out to a neighbor in need or taking the time to listen carefully to someone whose opinions differ from your own.

Peace is both a distant, ambitious goal and something that begins with the small actions we choose to take today.

Just as 25 years of dedicated efforts have touched the lives of more than 100,000 people, our own small actions can become the starting point for meaningful change in someone else's life.

Let's build a future where our shared efforts lead to greater hope.

 

 

📰 Read the Original Article

Introducing an IPYG Affiliate Organization – Economic Development Welfare Foundation (EDWF)