In this time of increasing global insecurity is vital to encourage creative expression, peaceful communication and environmental awareness (or eco-logic) to sustain the cooperative process of self and planetary healing.

The trauma and aftermath of tsunami has changed the nation’s identity irrevocably in ways that will become more apparent as the years go on. In addition, people have also suffered more than twenty years of civil war. Although the island is now under a ceasefire agreement and peace negotiations are being held, an atmosphere of fear and distrust remains between some sectors of the population and the number of deaths is again on the increase.

The art2art Project works creatively and cooperatively with children, encouraging the values which will enable us to live peacefully and sustainably on planet earth in future generations. We facilitate arts peace exchanges between children from the different ethnic communities, providing a counterbalance to the despair and hatred caused by the war.

We have been kindly donated a 42 seater bus by Tsunami Relief and S4C Wales, to use for children's arts peace exchanges. Initially the exchanges will be between children from different ethnic communitites in the Pottuvil area, travelling further afield as the staff and children become familiar with the programme.

AIMS OF THE art2art BUS PROJECT

· To enable the art2art project to travel to different locations and run arts, healing, peace and environmental workshops for children and adults around Sri Lanka.

· To inspire children and adults by providing the opportunity for creative healing and peacemaking, and to empower local communities by passing on techniques, ideas and information

· To facilitate cultural exchanges between children from different ethnic groups and areas of the country. We plan to make the first exchange between children’s arts projects in East Coast Arugambay (predominantly Muslim, with some Tamil and Singhalese), and South Coast Unawatuna (predominantly Singhalese).

· To be a bright ray of hope, fun and creativity on the roads and in the locations we work in.