The 2nd International Conference on Harmony and Reconciliation (ICHR2026) was successfully organized by the Harmony Centre, University of Vavuniya, on 20 and 21 May 2026 at the Smart Lecture Hall, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Vavuniya. The conference was conducted in hybrid mode, enabling both physical and virtual participation. It brought together academics, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, peace activists, development professionals, students, and community representatives to engage in multidisciplinary discussions on harmony, reconciliation, peacebuilding, social cohesion, ethics, digital governance, environmental sustainability, and post-conflict recovery.
The conference was conducted under the theme “Fostering Unity for Social Cohesion through Adaptive Digital Landscapes.” The main purpose of ICHR2026 was to provide an international platform for dialogue on harmony and reconciliation, strengthen interdisciplinary academic engagement, promote research dissemination and evidence-based policy discussions, encourage collaboration among academics, policymakers, practitioners and community stakeholders, and explore the role of adaptive digital landscapes in promoting social harmony and inclusive governance.
The two-day conference programme consisted of an inaugural session, keynote speeches, panel discussions, parallel technical sessions, a peace education dialogue, a special session on peace and reconciliation, an awarding ceremony, and a concluding session. The inaugural ceremony included the welcome address by the Director of the Harmony Centre, an address by the Conference Chair, the Vice-Chancellor’s address, a message from the Chief Guest, special remarks from Dr. Prem Rawat, and the launch of the conference proceedings. These activities provided a strong opening to the conference and highlighted the importance of academic and collaborative approaches to promoting harmony and reconciliation.
Three keynote speeches were delivered during the conference. Prof. Landon E. Hancock addressed peacebuilding, accountability, development, and grassroots-centred reconciliation approaches. Dr. Bahirathy Jeeweshwara discussed reconciliation, social harmony, peacebuilding, and post-conflict engagement in multicultural societies, while Dr. Phill Gittins focused on peace education, social transformation, global peacebuilding, and ethical engagement. Two panel discussions were also conducted, focusing on media narratives, technology, digital governance, peacebuilding, peace education, and social cohesion. These sessions encouraged meaningful academic dialogue and active participation among the conference attendees.
A significant number of research contributions were received for ICHR2026. A total of 115 submissions were received, of which 70 submissions were accepted, while 44 were rejected and one was withdrawn. Following the review, revision, and editorial processes, 43 full papers were finalized and included in the official electronic conference proceedings. The conference attracted both local and international contributions, with participation from Sri Lanka and countries including India, Bangladesh, Russia, Australia, and the Philippines. This demonstrated the growing international academic reach of the conference and the relevance of its theme to diverse contexts.
Another important feature of ICHR2026 was its emphasis on translating academic discussions into policy-oriented outcomes. The two panel discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed using AI-supported transcription tools. These recordings, together with the technical session findings and synthesized outcomes, are being used as source materials for the preparation of a post-conference policy white paper. The white paper is intended to bring together evidence-based findings, policy implications, and recommendations relating to harmony, reconciliation, social cohesion, ethics, and digital governance.
The conference received valuable institutional and external support from the Harmony Centre, University of Vavuniya; Ministry of Justice and National Integration; Office for National Unity and Reconciliation; The Gate Institute, UK; Foundation of Goodness, Sri Lanka; and Globethics. The Integrated Digital Media Unit of the University of Vavuniya provided photography, videography, and digital production services, while the Cultural Centre supported the welcome dance performance during the opening ceremony. The successful implementation of the conference was further supported by the various organizing committees, technical teams, volunteers, student helpers, and staff members.
The conference also recognized outstanding research presentations through an awarding ceremony held on 21 May 2026. The Best Presentation Award in the Undergraduate Category was awarded to K.G.S.I. Kobbegala for the presentation titled “The Social Impact of Network Technologies in Smart Cities.” The Best Presentation Award in the Regular Category was awarded to Medha de Alwis for the presentation titled “Cultural Heritage Governance as a Legal Pathway toward Sustainable Development: The Sigiriya World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.” The awards were presented by Mr. Kushil Gunasekera, Founding Director of the Foundation of Goodness.
Overall, ICHR2026 successfully created an international multidisciplinary platform for academic dialogue and collaboration and strengthened discussions on harmony, reconciliation, peacebuilding, social cohesion, and inclusive governance. The conference enhanced networking among academics, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students while promoting evidence-based and policy-oriented engagement. It also provided valuable academic exposure to students and early-career researchers and encouraged further interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
In conclusion, the 2nd International Conference on Harmony and Reconciliation (ICHR2026) was successfully completed with the active participation and cooperation of local and international stakeholders. The conference provided a valuable platform for academic exchange, policy discussion, networking, and collaborative engagement on harmony, reconciliation, peacebuilding, and social cohesion. The successful completion of ICHR2026 further strengthened the role of the Harmony Centre, University of Vavuniya, in promoting intercultural understanding, social cohesion, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and inclusive community engagement through future academic, policy-oriented, and community-based initiatives.
