‘Navigating Dire Straits’: The National HR Conference 2023, organized by CIPM, concludes with resounding success.

The highly awaited National Human Resource Conference (NHRC) 2023, which is the nation’s premier event for human resource management, organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Sri Lanka, was held on the 21st  and 22nd  of June 2023 at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura. This flagship conference marked its return after a three-year hiatus, attracting a global gathering of esteemed HR professionals and industry representatives,

The event encompassed six technical sessions, including three-panel discussions, the  Great HR Debate, the National HR Exhibition, and the prestigious CIPM Lifetime Gold Award. The conference boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, with Mr. Rolf Blaser, Managing Director/CEO, A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., delivering the keynote speech. Giving the keynote address, Mr. Rolf Blaser said, “We need to critically evaluate the reasons for our current situation, isolate the factors we can influence, and work hard on them to come out of these ‘Dire Straits’ in a reasonable time.”

Renowned resource personnel from around the world, including representatives from the Bangladesh Society for Human Resource Management and Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals, participated in the conference, showcasing the interest and enthusiasm of the global and regional HR community in the activities organized by CIPM Sri Lanka.

The NHRC 2023, hosted by CIPM, served as a platform to discuss and address pressing people management challenges faced by companies today on very critical topics such as How People Management Practices Support Businesses in Navigating Dire Strait; The Impact of the Economic Downturn on People’s Practices; Mass Skilled Migration and its impact on Socio-Economic Development; Lessons from Covid 19 that People professionals should take into the future; Sustainable People Practices and Green Initiatives; and  Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) – is it a fad or an essential survival tool in an economic crisis?

“We are delighted to host the NHRC after a lapse of three years. The NHRC is the only dedicated event that brings the entire HR fraternity from all over the country under one roof to discuss people management challenges and arrives at efficient, workable solutions,” stated Ken Vijaykumar, the president of CIPM Sri Lanka. The expert lineup of speakers and panelists at the technical sessions and panel discussions shared valuable insights that helped raise the bar for the HR fraternity in navigating these dire straits.

“The CIPM NHRC 2023 is a platform that enables HR professionals to network and exchange ideas and insights on the challenges companies face and discuss the best approaches and solutions to address them. We are confident that the extensive program that the organizing committee has put together will add value to the participants,” commented Priyanka Seneviratne, Chairman of NHRC 2023 and Honorary Secretary of CIPM Sri Lanka.

The National HR Conference 2023 provided attendees with an enriching experience, offering valuable opportunities to learn, network, and engage with thought leaders and peers in the industry. With insightful sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and ample networking prospects, the event proved to be a must-attend for HR professionals and stakeholders. The National HR Conference 2023 fulfilled its mission of facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and innovation within the HR community, setting a solid foundation for future endeavours in human resource management.

Official Strategic Partners of the National HR Conference 2023 are Nippon Paint Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, PickMe – Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, hSenid Business Solutions PLC.

Dignitaries at the head table from left to right –

CEO CIPM Mr. U.A.C Obeyesekere, Vice President CIPM Mr.  Priyantha Ranasinghe, President CIPM Mr. Ken Vijayakumar, Keynote Speaker Mr. Rolf Blaser, Chairman of NHRC 2023 and Hony. Secretary, CIPM Sri Lanka Mr. Priyankara Seneviratne, Chairman of National HR Exhibition 2023 & Council Member – Mr. Kasun Nahallage, Hony. Treasurer CIPM –  Col. S. Jayawickrama (Retd)

Welcome Address by Mr. Ken Vijayakumar

Keynote Speaker Mr. Rolf Blaser

Panel Discussion