32 About the workshop
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING
About the workshop
Aims . To introduce the participants to each other . To ensure that each participant feels an important member of the group and recognises that her peers can contribute insights and knowledge . To hear from each participant what she hopes to receive from the training .
Make sure that each participant introduces herself and describes her experience and her work . Ask each participant to :
• Say her name , where she comes from , and where she works .
• Outline her professional activities and experience .
• Describe her expectations of the training .
EXERCISE
Exercise 1 . Introductions .
To make the introductions , you might choose to use a ‘ talking stick ’ ( a stick that each participant holds while she presents herself , and then passes on to the next participant ).
If you want to learn the participants ’ names quickly , try playing games . ( Try “ My Ship is Filled With …” or “ My name is Christina and I like swimming …” and asking everyone to repeat the name and what she likes ….) Or the first participant tells her name , the second repeats that name and her own , the third the first two in order and her own , etc . Write down the participants ’ expectations on a flip chart ; this will help you to plan and will be useful when you evaluate the training .
EXERCISE
Exercise 2 . Describe your situation .
This exercise gives both you and the participants crucial information about the context in which the participants work : their social environment , cultural factors , approaches and methodologies , political , military and economic threats , etc . The questions listed on the opposite page may help with this mapping .
Ask the participants to discuss first in small groups of 4-6 . Then ask the groups to share their findings in plenary . Note the participants ’ main points and challenges on a flip chart .