Participation in International Living Lab on Relational Ethics

Ms. M. N. F. Sakeena, Senior Assistant Librarian at the Main Library, University of Colombo, was invited to participate in the international Living Lab titled “Relational Ethics Protocol for Transdisciplinary Research in the Anthropocene,” held from 22nd to 25th September 2026 in Nagarkot, Nepal.

Organised by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Germany, the programme brought together researchers, academics, artists, and practitioners from Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and India. The Living Lab provided a collaborative platform to explore key dimensions of transdisciplinary research, including relational ethics, trust, power dynamics, community participation, and responsible knowledge sharing.

Ms. Sakeena’s participation provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and perspectives and to explore ethical approaches relevant to Library and Information Science, particularly in relation to user privacy, equitable access to information, inclusive library services, and respectful engagement with diverse communities. The University of Colombo Library recognises her participation in this international programme as a valuable opportunity to strengthen global academic collaboration, broaden professional engagement, and contribute to the advancement of ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible practices in academic librarianship.