UNFPA Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the University of Colombo, hosted a pivotal workshop to define the research agenda for the newly established Centre of Excellence (COE) for Research and Innovation in Population Dynamics, Gender, Reproductive Health, Rights, and Social Policy. Held on Monday (10 June) at the United Nations' Conference Hall in Colombo, the workshop aimed to set the course for the COE’s research priorities, addressing critical gaps in knowledge and practice in Sri Lanka and South Asia.

Diverse group of stakeholders, including academia, think tanks, government officials, UN agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations attended the workshop with the objective of identifying priority research areas on the themes of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), population dynamics, and climate change, and social policy, for the Centre of Excellence. 

Prof. H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, delivered the opening remarks emphasizing the importance of the COE and its research agenda. UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative, Kunle Adeniyi, went onto highlight the significance of the COE and its role in advancing gender equality and sustainable development in Sri Lanka and across South Asia.

Following the introductory remarks, expert presentations addressed emerging issues and data gaps in Sri Lanka, including population change, ageing, low fertility, migration, and SRHR. Prof. Indralal De Silva, Prof. H.D. Karunaratne, and Dr. Probhodana Ranaweera provided insights into these areas. The session continued with discussions on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and climate change, led by Prof. Rose Wijeyesekera and Prof. Deepthi Wickramasinghe.

Finally, participants were given the opportunity to engage in group discussions and identify specific research topics and questions, with the aim of drafting a comprehensive research agenda for the CoE. The discussions focused on themes such as ageing, low fertility, migration, and SRH. Key outputs included the identification of priority research areas and the development of actionable research questions to guide future studies in Sri Lanka and the South Asian region.

UNFPA Sri Lanka, together with our donors, partners and key stakeholders including the University of Colombo, remains committed to expanding research to effectively address gaps in gender equality, SRHR, and population dynamics, fostering a culture of informed policy-making and inclusive solutions for a sustainable future.