Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Law and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Two Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Law, Faculty of Arts of the University of Jaffna and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) were signed in the Board Room of the University of Jaffna on 11th of October 2022 at 9 a.m, with the ViceChancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, signing it on behalf of the University and IFES Deputy Country Director for Sri Lanka, Mrs Lasanthi Daskon, pencilling it on their behalf. At the ceremony held, in addition to the Vice-Chancellor, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and the Head of the Department of Media Studies, Prof. S. Raguram, Project Management Specialist of USAID of Sri Lanka and Maldives, Ms.Angelina Hermon, the Head of the Department of Law, Mrs. Thushani Shayanthan, and other lecturers of the Department of Law took part on behalf of the University of Jaffna.

According to the first MOU signed, the Department of Law of the University of Jaffna, in collaboration with IFES, will develop and offer a certificate course titled ‘Democracy: From Theory to Practice’ to thirty (30) selected students of the Department of Law. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to and build awareness of the role the citizens and civil societies and organisations play in promoting democracy and doctrines related thereto, all the while creating avenues to develop the abilities and general communication skills of the participants.

The second MOU signed aims to facilitate and strengthen the collaboration between the Department of Law and IFES in developing and implementing a women’s leadership programme called ‘She Leads’, according to which thirty (30) female students of the Department of Law will be selected based on their expression of interests and be given the training to cultivate the skills and knowledge needed to engage as empowered leaders in the country’s democratic space and communities.

IFES is an independent, non-governmental organisation providing professional support to electoral democracy and has a presence in 145 countries. The programmes intended to be introduced by the MOUs are unique and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. Both of the MOUs will be effective until the 30th of September 2024 unless parties mutually rescind at an earlier date.