The document provides background information on Sri Lanka, including its population, demographics, history of conflict, and key actors. It discusses the roots of ethnic tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils, the emergence of the LTTE as an armed separatist group, and events like the 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom that exacerbated violence and division. It also outlines various approaches to conflict transformation, the impacts of war on youth, and ideas for constructive youth activism and peacebuilding initiatives.

1. Youth Activism

3. Overview of conflict

6. The Actors State Non- State Mediator Sinhala aristocracy / President LTTE ideologue & leader Norway

17. Pogrom - 1983

25. Conflict

28. Anatomy of a conflict

30. changes of perspective changes of heart changes of will gestures of conciliation 5. Personal / Elite transformations transcendence of contested issues constructive compromise changing issues de-linking or re-linking issues 4. Issue transformations changes of leadership changes of goals intra-party change change in party’s constituencies changing actors 3. Actor transformations change from asymmetric to symmetric conflict change in power structures changes of markets of violence 2. Structure transformations change in the international or regional environment 1. Context transformations Examples Type Transformers of Conflict

32. Youth in armed conflict "Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die" Herbert Hoover, 1944

34. Youth Activism

38. Diverse audiences Opposed Apathetic Persuadable Supportive

41. Ideas of electronic activism

46. http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/IYF/ourtimeisnow/index.htm

47. Essentials for youth in peacebuilding

49. Images of a different country

58. Thank you !