International camaraderie will reach a new platform this year at the South Asian Youth Conference (SAYC) 2015, hosted by Sri Lanka. The Conference, a collaboration of the Blue Ribbon Movement and its Sri Lankan Chapter, will be held from December 11 to 15 at Horizon Campus, Malabe.

The need for a platform for the region’s youth leaders to converge, discuss and collaborate was felt by the South Asian youth that came together at the fifth World Youth Congress held in Turkey. Thus SAYC was first held in Bangalore, India in 2011, Pakistan in 2012, Nepal in 2013 while the 2014 Conference which was to be held in Bangladesh was held online due to the political environment of the country during that time.

The theme of SAYC 2015, the fifth of its kind, is, ‘peace, prosperity and youth of South Asia’ and it will be a great platform for the youth of the region to discuss issues faced by them and strengthen relations between South Asia’s youth.

SAYC 2015 will consist of economic, political, social and cultural discussions and action plans that will help set in motion a process to create a strong coalition amongst the various South Asian countries. With a primary goal of strengthening ties among the neighboring nations of South Asia for a brighter tomorrow, SAYC 2015 also has many key objectives, including promotion of peace, trust and co-operation in the South Asian region, combating climate change through a combined effort and achieving coherent strategies for sustainable development.

Additionally, SAYC 2015 strives to bring together the youth of South Asia to create a common platform to eradicate extremism and racial and national hatred and resolve misunderstandings.

In order to achieve this, volunteers and students from across the country and foreign delegates will join hands in the spirit of a united community to participate in discussions, attend workshops and engage in cultural activities.

Working to make the Conference a success is the official SAYC 2015 Committee, chaired by Tharindu Abeyrathna, authorized head of the Sri Lankan Chapter of the Blue Ribbon Movement, and his efficient and extensively experienced team.