In Sri Lanka, Caritas Australia is focusing on post-war healing and reconciliation. The Advocacy Towards Reconciliation, Unity and Good Governance project aims to create a conducive environment for a just and free society, where people from different ethnic and religious groups respect their different cultures and live in peace and harmony.

Under the project, Caritas Sri Lanka recently held a two-day women's interactive workshop. The main objective of the workshop was to create a platform for different religious and ethnic groups to come together and share their views and experiences of the pre and post war situation, paving the way for closer understanding and respect for opposite views.

A group of female participants from multi-ethnic and multi-religious backgrounds and members of Village Peace Committees, Women Rural Development Societies, Community-Based Organisations, Self Help Groups, widows, and women from war-affected and women-headed families, volunteers and members of the Caritas staff joined the workshop. Attendees came from 12 Diocesan Centres where the project is being implemented. In addition, Hindu, Islam and Buddhist religious leaders took part.

During the sessions, the participants had the opportunity to share their views, experiences and expressions related to war situations. It was a new experience for the women from Sinhalese villages who did not have first-hand and direct experiences of war. This paved the way for personal accounts being shared and supported healing for those involved.

Each year the project is designed to cater to the current needs of the post-war Sri Lanka, ensuring communal harmony and healing to those who faced the war.

For example, Daisy Paulin from Vannankulam, in Sri Lanka's Northern Province, has overcome the personal tragedy of losing her husband during tense times in her homeland to become a key peace builder in her community.

With the help of Peace and Reconciliation initiatives by Caritas Australia partner agencies Caritas Sri Lanka and Misereor, the 43-year old mother of three has undergone a life-changing experience.

I feel I am able to forgive and forget the past events and accept my husband's death. I am now able to relate with others especially with our Sinhala brothers and sisters whom we met during our exposure visit," says Daisy.

"Now I can promote tolerance and understanding by allowing other ethnic groups to hear each other's grievances and suffering. I can provide a safe and impartial forum for the mediation and resolution of grievances."

This project is led by Caritas Australia and is funded through Australian Aid from the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).