The Call for the Training of Trainers 2014 of the Understanding and Working with Conflict Series

Understanding and Working with Conflict v.3

TRAINING OF TRAINERS 2014

Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona // 07-14 September 2014

Understanding and Working with Conflict – Training of Trainers is an 8-day training course that will gather 22 peace and conflict practitioners/ youth trainers/ multipliers/ educators/ teachers from Council of Europe member countries.

Aim

The main aim of the ToT is to provide trainers/multipliers/potential trainers with training and facilitation skills necessary to support communication processes in conflict contexts (for example, conflict in the organisation, class, during a training, seminar/event).

Objectives

- To introduce the peace and human rights education framework – emphasizing the holistic concept of peace as embedded in justice, and of cultivating just relationships and social structures that puts respect for human rights and nonviolence as ways of life.

- To further develop participants’ competences (knowledge, skills and attitudes) in working with conflict, and introduce conflict transformation, nonviolent communication, and personal development (inner peace) tools that can serve as useful techniques in peace work.

- To empower and support participants with the skills and techniques in designing and conducting training activities themselves. This objective is two-fold, on one hand participants will learn tools and methods on how to teach about conflict, and on the other hand, they will explore on practical tips in facilitating group dynamics and communication processes, as well as intervening in conflict situations during an educational event (training, seminar, etc).

3 Phases of the Training of Trainers

This ToT consists of three phases (English is the medium of instruction)
a) online pre-training; b) residential training and c) post-ToT evaluation and follow-up workshops.

Phase 1 ( August 11^th – September 7^th 2014)                                                                                                                              
 -        the online phase will consist of 4 full weeks of online modules and group work. It will prepare the participants for the face-to-face training, especially in the knowledge and theory-based aspects of the topic. The online phase will also serve as a platform for participants to familiarize themselves with each other, and team up in small groups and work together.

Phase 2  (September 7^th – 14^th 2014)                                                                                                                                        
-        the residential or face-to-face training is a skills-based training that will include practical, inspiring and creative methods based on arts, communication, dialogue and hands-on practice. It will run for 8 days, and is divided into three parts – 3 days will be dedicated to knowledge-review, including workshops; 2 days will be dedicated to training and facilitation skills, and three days will be dedicated to training practice by the participants themselves. A transversal theme for these 8 days is the incorporation of inner/personal peace awareness among participants.

Phase 3 ( September 20^th – November 30^th 2014)                                                                                                                          
-        the last phase is for follow-up and multiplier events. During this period, participants are expected to conduct workshops/training sessions in their home countries, and evaluate it using the “peer-to-peer” mentoring and support system to be developed.

 

Focus on intra and inter-personal development

After the end of the online and residential training, participants are expected to:

-        further develop and elaborate the resource blog for trainers in teaching about conflict (improved from this existing blog)
-        compile a guide book for trainers with practical tips and suggestions on how to handle conflict situations in the workplace, organisation, or education events
-        implement at least one (1) training activity/workshop/session about conflict in their home country or in other international training events.
-        take part in the peer-to-peer mentoring system and training support tandem

 

Methodology

The ToT will use experiential learning methods to facilitate learning that is focused on communication, inter and intra-personal skills. In this ToT, key skills and competences of a facilitator and trainer will be presented and put into practice. It will include an overview of communication and conflict theories and tools, constructive responses to conflict, principles and practice of non-formal learning methodologies, including training concepts related to comfort zones and conflict sensitivity.

During the ToT, participants will get hands-on experience in conducting a training session in groups of 2-4. This practice session will include a video analysis followed by well structured self-reflection, debriefing and feedback sessions from the trainers and other participants. A co-learning environment will be ensured during the whole process.

More information: http://workingwithconflict.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/understanding-and-working-with-conflict-training-of-trainers-2014/