We are not owners of environment - Justice Weeramantry

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Weeramantry International Centre for Peace Education and Research (WICPER) concluded a Training for Trusteeship four-day residential workshop at the Subodhi Institute for Integral Education.

Undergraduates who participated were drawn from Universities across the country Students were selected from among outstanding students nominated by Vice Chancellors of the various Universities.

The seminar was held in conjunction with the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, the South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP) and the Public Diplomacy Section of the American Centre.

This is a pioneering workshop aimed at inculcating in the minds of young people, a realisation that we are all trustees for the future. The environmental problem has grown so urgent that the public at all levels has to be sensitised to the need for each individual to make a positive contribution towards addressing this problem.

US Ambassador Robert Blake, stated in his message to the Workshop that "Emphasising the nation of trusteeship sends a powerful message.

It reminds us that we are more than individual needs. Through this workshop young people from across Sri Lanka will explore how they can become better "trustees" and how they can help others develop and implement this perspective into their lives and communities. This is a mindset that is critical to nature, not only in Sri Lanka but around the world."

There was also a video message from the founder of the World Future Council and the Right Livelihood Award - Alternative Nobel Prize, Jakob von Uexkull, setting out in detail our obligations to the environment and to future generations. He sent his best wishes for the success of this pioneering workshop.

Sri Lanka Abhimaneeya Judge C. J. Weeramantry, founder of the Weeramantry Centre for Peace Education and Research (WICPER), stressed that we are not owners of the environment and of earth resources, but only stewards and custodians for future generations. He illustrated this from the teachings of all religions and traditional systems of law.

Judge Weeramantry also gave an overview of the major peace movements in history.

Former Chief Justice Parinda Ranasinghe and former Parliament Secretary General and Chancellor of the Open University Sam Wijesinha also addressed the students.