Projects
The Future of Social Science Research in Sri Lanka
Kandy and Colombo, 29 February - 02 March, 2012
From 29 February to 01 March the South Asia Institute (SAI), University of Heidelberg, Germany, in association with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) Colombo, sponsored an exchange of views among German and Sri Lankan academics at Galbangalawa, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. The theme of the meeting was "The future of social research in Sri Lanka," and it was intended to identify priority areas for social science research, along with possible areas of research collaboration between Sri Lankan academics and the South Asia Institute.
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The Programme to Improve Capacities for Poverty Research (IMCAP)
The Programme to Improve Capacities for Poverty Research (IMCAP) at the University of Colombo aims to improve research on poverty and social policy in Sri Lankan universities. It contributes to a better understanding of causes and processes of poverty and its alleviation within a social policy framework. As an overall goal, this initiative should build up more expertise through applied research and teaching programmes on poverty and social policy issues within the Sri Lankan universities and qualify social science graduates to find employment in the development sector.
In 1997 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the University of Colombo and the SAI to strengthen its institutional links. The IMCAP programme is an outcome of various joint initiatives between the University of Colombo, South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg and the Poverty Impact Monitoring Unit (PIMU-GTZ). The Centre for Internal Migration Development (CIM), Germany is also supporting this initiative. These joint initiatives resulted in a tripartite agreement to further support applied research in the field of poverty combined with the set up of a resource unit on poverty and social policy within the Colombo University to serve as a focal point of the programme. Within the Colombo University, IMCAP is affiliated to and located with the newly established Development Studies Institute of the University (DSIUC).
IMCAP has set up an academic support programme for Sri Lankan dissertations
on poverty and social integration / conflict transformation. This project
aims to qualify junior lecturers from Colombo University, Jaffna University
and Eastern University to undertake and coordinate applied research and
teaching on poverty and social integration related issues (PASI Programme).
Local Governance and Conflict Transformation
October 2001- 2002
The research project on Local Governance and Conflict Transformation is conducted as joint initiative of the Development Studies Institute, University of Colombo (DSIUC) and the South Asia Institute, Colombo branch office, (Christine Bigdon, M.A) supported by the Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies, Sri Lanka office. Furthermore the project is collaborating with the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance, which aims to strengthen local authorities. The research project explores the role of actors of local governance in contributing to the aggravation or mitigation of conflicts on the local level. Their potential towards conflict transformation through good governance is investigated in three different regions (North East, Estate Sector, South) of Sri Lanka as case studies. The project also promotes academic exchange and capacity building through integrating in the research team junior researchers from Eastern University and the University of Colombo.
Food Security and Conflict Management in the Eastern Province of Sri
Lanka
October 2000- 2002
The project on Food Security and Conflict Management in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka has been initiated by Prof. Hans-Georg Bohle of the Department of Geography, South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg in co-operation with Dr. C. Y. Thangarajah, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Culture, Eastern University, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Food security research in selected rural areas is carried out with a regional focus on food-insecure villages and populations in the Eastern Province that are affected by the civil war. In this context, food systems analysis is undertaken by integrating aspects of food production, distribution and consumption. The project seeks to systematically link perspectives of food security research and conflict analysis. It contributes to the current political discussion on crisis prevention and conflict management. Young lecturers are encouraged to join empirical social research activities on food security and conflict analysis.
Impact of Electronic Media on Youth
September - November 1999
The research project on the Impact of Electronic Media on Youth was implemented by the South Asia Institute, Colombo branch office and the Center for Anthropological and Sociological Studies (CASS), University of Colombo. It was supported by the Goethe-Institut/ Inter Nationes (GCI). This qualitative research study on youth focused on the opinions of young people on electronic media. The in-depth interviews focused on the impact of T.V. although comparative aspects on the meaning and influence of other electronic media such as radio, video, Internet, were considered. The results were presented at a conference that was followed by a book publication titled “Globalisation, Electronic Media and Cultural Change”.
Youth Livelihood Promotion Project (YULIP)
1999-2001
The Youth Livelihood Promotion Project was implemented by the Centre for Anthropological and Sociological Studies (CASS), University of Colombo in collaboration with the South Asia Institute, Colombo branch office (Dr. Markus Mayer), supported by the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ). YULIP is an action-research project with an objective to open up employment avenues for young people, helping them to improve their life chances in the Hambantota District. The project employed young graduates from the University of Colombo as researchers/facilitators. The branch office provided guidance and supervision for research activities of the project as well as facilitation of networks with government institutions, NGOs and International Agencies. The SAI was also involved in monitoring and evaluating project activities. The project was concluded in May 2001.
DIPECHO, Programme for Disaster Prevention Preparedness and Mitigation:
Diagnostic Study for the DIPECHO Action Plan for South Asia
July 1999
The research project on Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was
prepared for the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), Brussels,
Belgium, and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Eschborn, Germany.
The study was coordinated by the GTZ and conducted jointly by the South
Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany and the Asia Pacific
Disaster Management Centre, Manila, Philippines. The objective of this
diagnostic study undertaken by a multidisciplinary team was to determine
the high risk areas of South Asia. The focus was on means of a regional
and country specific analysis concerning types of hazards, population
and socio-economic structures, vulnerability, risks and the existing internal
and external response mechanisms. The study not only specifies the effectiveness,
deficiencies/gaps in the existing prevention and preparedness plans, but
also underlines priority action and intervention opportunities for DIPECHO
in this region. The study intended to serve as the basic document for
the preparation of an Action Plan for the region.
National Youth Survey
1998-2002
The National Youth Survey was implemented by the Centre for Anthropological
and Sociological Studies, University of Colombo, and the South Asia Institute,
University of Heidelberg (Dr. Markus Mayer). The project was supported
by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation
(FES), Jaffna Rehabilitation Project (JRP/GTZ), and German Cultural Institute
(GCI). The National Youth Survey is the first comprehensive island-wide
opinion poll since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 1983, covering
aspects of socio, politic, economic and cultural issues. The objective
of the survey is to enlarge the understanding of the grievances and aspirations
of young population of the country in order to solve their telling problems,
contributing to the improvement of policy and development activities in
regard to youth. The quantitative survey, covering 3000 households, is
accompanied by various qualitative case studies, representing special
target groups. The basic results of the entire survey consist in eight
volumes amounting to more than 2040 pages. An extended data set was released
at a public presentation in December 2000. A volume containing more tabulated
statistical data is now in the process of publishing. A further dissemination
of the available data is recently being promoted. A conference on youth,
politics and development was held at the end of 2001 in collaboration
with the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation and the German Cultural Institute/Inter
Nations. The papers presented at this conference focused on selected topics,
elaborated with survey data and analysed in a general pattern of gender,
ethnic and regional disparities.
