http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/264 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:45:20 GMT 2026-04-05T18:45:20Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1832 Women and Artificial Intelligence: Towards an Inclusive Peacebuilding Process Bourai, H.; Thalwal, A. The underrepresentation of women in the STEM fields and the development of Artificial Intelligence pose a risk for the exclusion of women in the peacebuilding process. A core component of decision-making in artificial intelligence is machine learning, which is predicated on the data given to the training model. Hence, by being excluded from the development part of the model due to a smaller portion of women developing AI models and from the crucial data which would be fed to the model, women experience a double whammy. Since it is not feasible to coerce women into STEM fields, authors suggest an alternative way to empower women in the decision-making of AI development in the peacebuilding process. First, existing female data scientists and AI developers must be brought on board to develop models for peacebuilding. Second, local women must be hired and trained to get as much data as possible from distressed women in war-torn areas, which can then be fed into machine learning models. Lastly, in the testing phase of AI, possible corrections must be made via a consultative process involving women. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1832 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1831 War mathematics: From human Sufferings to economic and biodiversity losses Malik, M.A. Wars have created more problems than bringing solutions. By applying tit-for-tat tactics, rancorous strategies, formula politics and hateful approaches, humanity has not only faced humanitarian crises in immense proportions but also suffered grave losses to economy and biodiversity. War mathematics, a maiden approach to calculate the total loss - human, economic and environmental, caused by a given war and providing alternatives of peace, nonviolence and brotherhood that would have reduced the losses, has been worked out. Five cases studies ranging from major to medium level wars and smaller incidence of violence, have been provided with facts and figures. The so-called war on terror in the aftermath of 9/11, war between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine and two small incidences of terror and counter-terrorism attacks that in absence of alternates nonviolence multiplied human sufferings manifold. The data reveals that the number of human sufferings besides economic and biodiversity losses were many times more by violence versus violence strategies than it would have been by nonviolence or alternate approaches. The study also takes a dig into the history of conflicts, discusses underlying reasons and suggests the ways forward for durable peace. Change in the mindset by peace education and other integrated approaches based on justice, equality and inclusivity that would not only reduce perpetual conflicts, hence the consequent human sufferings, but also lay the foundation of a new era of peace and nonviolence are the other aspects of current study. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1831 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1830 Vivimarie Van Der Poorten’s Advocacy for Peace through Social Media Wickramasinghe, W.M.A.; Supun, M.K.; Fernando, D.T.N.; Savarimuttu, J.S.R. This study focuses on Vivimarie Van Der Poorten’s contribution to promote peace through her Facebook wall. Inhabitants of the society deal with its violent economy and cynical human affairs. This qualitative research is conducted using her poems, translated works, prose, and other shared ideas to keep peace in the society using the aforementioned platform; one of the social media platforms which has a tremendous impact on our economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of daily lives. Most of the time, users on social media platforms share content that promotes hate speech, radical ideologies, or encourages violence. Furthermore, Facebook’s violent economy proceeds to highlight how the social systems can disproportionately impact certain groups or individuals, leading to various forms of harm and inequality. If violence can breed only violence, will not peace produce peace only, is the vital question this paper tries to answer through the ideologues of Vivimarie’s advocacy for peace on Facebook. Therefore, this paper delves with the creative way that Vivimarie has used in using technology to give a message to society to evoke not only the mind but also the emotive aspects of the readers while concerning the responsibility of a society. This study deciphers how an individual puts an effort to take accountability as a responsible human for productive life furtherance. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1830 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1829 Use of Facebook and the disputes among religious communities Navaretnam, A.A. Statistics show that despite the country's pandemic and economic setback, 40 per cent of the total population of Sri Lankans are using the internet. The following social media platforms, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, are used mainly by Sri Lankans, according to the statistics available 8.4. Millions of Sri Lankans were using social media in 2022, which is 38.1 per cent of the country's total population. It is on the increase annually. Most people use Facebook and YouTube to view news, get information, and for recreation. Most people use Facebook for social engagement. The news and information displayed on social media bring helpful information and sometimes create tension among religious communities. This particular research aims to bring posts that were displayed on Facebook and brought about religious disorder in the Batticaloa district and the efforts made at the religious level to bring about peace and harmony among religious communities. The main objectives of this research are to build harmony among religious communities, to avoid posting news or information which brings religious disorder among people, to get clear and correct information before posting a post on Facebook, and to see that the information and views posted are helpful for a nonviolent communication among religious communities. By upholding these objectives, we can reduce tensions created by Facebook posts among religious communities and create a peaceful environment for all to live harmoniously amidst religious differences in the Batticaloa district. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1829 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z