Student-led Conference in International Relations (SCIR) and Conflict Resolution & Peace (SCORP) 2020 – 19th Dec.
The Department of International Relations organized two student-led Conferences: one by the fourth-year students reading for their International Relations (Hons) degree called Student-led Conference in International Relations (SCIR) and the other by the third-year students reading for their study stream in Conflict Resolution and Peace called Student-led Conference in Resolution and Peace (SCORP). The two conferences were held on the same day, 19th of December 2020, with SCIR in the morning and SCORP in the afternoon.
The SCIR theme was built around a speech delivered by Professor Swaran Singh of the Jawaharlal Nehru University during the INCOIRe Virtual Conference in November 2020, titled “Everydayness in IR” while the SCORP theme was “Peace for All”. The student-led Conference on International Relations was funded by the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) grant of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which the Department won.
A unified inauguration kick-started the conferences. In the spirit of a student-led conference, the welcome remarks were delivered by Ms. Amanda Perera, a 4th year undergraduate specializing in International Relations. This was followed by a speech delivered by the Special Guest Mr. Janith Perera. Mr. Perera, a graduate in Conflict Resolution and Peace (study stream) from the Department of International Relations, spoke on the multiple opportunities and career avenues that is available for a graduate from the Department of International Relations. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Ms. Sandamali Jayakody.
The two student-led Conferences enabled undergraduates following the special degree (Honours track) and study stream to present their research. Paper presentations were held in a concurrent sessions. The SCIR sessions started with sessions on ‘International Law in Everyday Life’ and ‘Environmental Governance in Everyday Life’. This was followed by panels on ‘International Politics in Everyday Life and Integration in Everyday Life.
The afternoon sessions were also held concurrently and were based on the themes, “Peace and Human Security” and “Peace and Rights.”
Each session was Chaired by a permanent lecturer of the Department of International Relations. A total of 24 papers were presented in the Conference, each of which were carefully reviewed by the permanent staff of the Department. The conference organizing, time keeping, designing of backdrops, among others, was entirely student-led.
This conference provided undergraduates an opportunity to develop their presentation skills, time management skills, and communication and language skills. It also illuminated their ability to conduct primary research as well as to succinctly summarize their research and be confident enough to present it to a wider audience. The Question and Answer sessions at the end of each panel enabled the lecturers and other undergraduates to deliver constructive criticism which will aid the researchers to develop their research.
