Re/Awakening Dignity: A Conference for All

Organizers invite you to participate in Re/Awakening Dignity: a Conference for All in Colombo, Sri Lanka July 8-10. 

We commit to working together to create conditions for an international gathering where we contemplate, share, and immerse ourselves in our experiences with dignity. We envision an intimate gathering where participants from all walks of life engage with each other in a variety of ways and settings  — over lunch at a nearby restaurant, during conversations following presentations and keynotes, on walk-and-talks in the neighborhood, or through interpretations of a presenting artist’s conception of dignity.

Our guiding questions are intentionally broad, with the expectation that participants will build on them.

• How do we experience dignity?

• What do our experiences teach us about the meaning of dignity?
• For all to experience a thriving sense of dignity, what do we need to do individually and collectively? 

We hope our gathering in Colombo will evoke joy, hope, and fresh ideas, against the backdrop of global warming, conflicts and war, and the denial of basic human rights to millions of people worldwide. The International Centre of Ethnic Studies in Colombo will host the conference while playing a vital role in supporting dignity dialogues about inclusive, just, and peaceful societies. 

We imagine a constellation of participants who will bring their lived experiences, their actions, their ideas, their research, their art. For those who worry this may not be directly related to their area of study, or for those who worry they don’t have a formal role to play at the gathering, we underscore that all are welcome. We look forward to seeing you  July 8-10, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Host or Publisher Dignity Conference Planning Committee