The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to co-host the 1st National Research Symposium on Youth Development (NRSYD). The signing ceremony, held on April 10, 2026, at the Senate House of OUSL, marks a significant step toward advancing youth-focused research and policy dialogue in Sri Lanka, on behalf of the ministry, Secretary to the Ministry Mr. H.M.U Aruna Bandara and on behalf of the University Vice Chancellor Senior Professor P.M.C Thilakarathna Signed.
The symposium, scheduled for September 16–17, 2026, at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board in Rathmalana, will be held under the theme “Young People as Right Holders and Change-Makers: Asset-based Pathways for Social Transformation.” This theme reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to recognizing youth not just as beneficiaries of development, but as active agents of social transformation. The event will bring together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and youth representatives to explore evolving challenges faced by young people, share evidence-based research and policy insights, and promote inclusive youth engagement in governance, peacebuilding, and development.
Featuring keynote addresses by distinguished national and international experts, plenary sessions, technical paper presentations, youth innovation showcases, and policy roundtables, the symposium will serve as a platform for collaboration and innovation. Selected research papers will be published in symposium proceedings and considered for peer-reviewed journals.
Expected outcomes include a national research compendium on youth development, strengthened frameworks for inclusive youth work, policy recommendations for national youth strategies, enhanced networks among youth-focused organizations and institutions, and greater recognition of youth-led innovation in driving social transformation.
The extended abstract submission deadline is May 4, 2026, with the symposium scheduled for September 16–17, 2026. This landmark initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to empowering its vibrant youth population as agents of sustainable national transformation.
