WHAT IS HAPPENING AT GLOBAL PLATFORM JORDAN? September 2014
Launching the new DJUCO Student Network  The training with DJUCO was held from the 6-9. September and included nine participants. The aim of the training was to support the establishment of a new group of volunteers who have joined DJUCO and to ensure a good group dynamic between the volunteers. Most importantly, the training was to provide the volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and facilitate upcoming events and activities in corporation with DJUCO. Finally, the participants were given a set of communication skills in order to communicate and spread the vision of the DJUCO initiative. Zeina 21, and Ali 22, students from the University of Jordan studying clinical pharmacy and a double major in English and Italian respectively, both decided to become involved with DJUCO because they wish to improve the educational system in Jordan and the structure of it. The training focused on good communication and how to be an active listener. A day of team building was also included in the training in order to strengthen the team of volunteers. Ali stated that: "the training enriched our communication skills, which is going to help us with the students when facilitating future events". Both of them found that the training was better than expected. The practical learning experience, taking active part in the training, and the friendly and comfortable environment was in contrast to what Ali and Zeina are used to. They had expected a more classroom like learning experience about which Zeina said: "The learning environment was friendly and felt like home.� Christine, training intern at the Global Platform, found that the training was very successful: "One of the positive outcomes of the training was the practical experience and
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tools the participants acquired towards public speaking, where all participants gave a passionate and well structured presentation of a self chosen topic." To learn more about DJUCO click here
Fayoum Joint Campaign From the 10th August to the 9th September three trainings were conducted with AA partners in Fayoum Egypt in order to support the Fayoum Joint Campaign. The three trainings were a ToT, Electoral Campaign Management, and Monitoring & Documentation. The overall aim of the training was to provide the participants with training skills and techniques to be able to conduct participatory trainings for youth in Fayoum. This will also strengthen them in their work with the campaign to empower the role of youth and women in the local government. The trainer found the youth in Fayoum very motivated and passionate towards making a difference in society: "They might be lacking resources but yet they got the motivation and passion." The outcome of the training came to show during the Action Track day – a day where the participants get the chance to apply the skills they have gained in developing and conducting participatory trainings. The Action Track is also an opportunity for trainers to measure if the objectives of the training have been met. Trainers evaluate whether the skills and knowledge have been well received by the participants.
Change your Life – Change your Community In the beginning of August Arab Regional Initiative (ARI) started educating fellows as a part of the Fellowship Program. This is a response to the high influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan and Lebanon. Kadar, trainer at the platform, is supporting the AA Regional Office with the planning, designing and delivery of the trainings. The training targets Syrian/Jordanian youth from Zarqa and Mafraq in Jordan and Syrian/Lebanese youth from Baalbek and Jeb Jenin in Lebanon. The purpose of the program is to develop a mutual understanding and solidarity between the Syrian refugees and their host
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communities e.g. the Jordanian and Lebanese youth. The training builds up a core group of fellows, who has the ability to work in cohesion, can identify and understand the needs and vulnerabilities of their community based on ActionAid methods and values. The fellows will also learn how to engage their community and partner organizations in social change processes.
Fact box: • The Fellowship Program runs in three phases, teen days each. • It is a part of the Arab Region Initiative's Emergency Response Program • 50% participants with Syrian refugee status and 50% participants from the host communities (Jordanians, Lebanese or Palestinians)
Kadar has been part of the trainings in both Jordan and Lebanon. What excites her the most about being part of this training is opportunity to engage and assist the trainees in the planning of activities to fit the needs of the target group. As the fellowship trainings are divided into three phases Kadar gets to follow the new fellows in their development through the different stages and that is something that Kadar really enjoys. At the moment phase one has been conducted in Zarqa and Mafraq, Jordan, and in Baalbak and Jeb Jeneen, Lebanon, and phase two has just begun. At the end of the first phase the trainees should be able to define ActionAids principles and values and apply those in their communities. They should also be able to promote practices that lead to cooperation and solidarity between the groups, work together as a group, and develop codes of conduct for themselves to secure transparency and accountability.
Youth Participation in Governance As part of the Global Change Framework, the Platform conducted a three-week Youth Participation in Governance course in September. The participants represented most of the region and counted 24 in total. During their stay at the Platform they received training on subjects such as debating and public speaking, democracy, good governance, human rights, advocacy, accountability, and power and power of language and all this was delivered through participatory training methods and learning by doing. Two of the participants, Basma 29 and Tarek 21, found the training fun and useful, but also innovative, engaging and rewarding. Tarek stated, "The most useful thing was getting to know the concept and importance of accountability and how it can be implemented." Basma told us that she had a quite surprising learning experience during the trainings as well: "I learned that sometimes you feel passive about issues and rights without knowing it! It was a revelation to me!" The best experience for Basma was using the learning by
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doing approach where as Tarek pointed to the communication and interaction with the other participants from different countries and backgrounds. Basma elaborated on the group dynamics in the different training session:" The training was very engaging with a wide spectrum of backgrounds. I learned so much from the inputs of the participants about other countries beside my own."
It was the first time the Global Platform Jordan conducted the Youth Participation in Governance course and therefore, the trainers have been working hard on localizing the content into the perspective of the Arab region. Sarah, platform trainer, stated: "The point was to give youth from the region the knowledge and theories behind what is good governance, the tools to be able to analyse current systems, and the courage to use their voice and demand it." Towards the midway of the training, participants told Sarah they felt they can already apply their learning and wants to use certain ideas in their lives. Realizing that participants were really gaining from the training was one of the best experiences. Sarah ends by explaining why she thinks that the course was a success: "This training brought people together, from different backgrounds but with similar values, and it challenged them to work together towards making their respective countries more accountable, more transparent, and more true to their people and their existing commitments to the rest of the world."
Training of Trainers in Mesaha From the 7th to the 17th of September trainers from the Global Platform conducted an out-of-the house Training of Trainers in Egypt with our AA partner organisation Mesaha in Egypt. Mesaha requested the training and it was the first of a three-phased program. The
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aim was to equip the participants with new knowledge, skills and attitude to become skilled trainers that are capable of organising and conducting trainings. A number of these participants will be attached as voluntary trainers in the other upcoming phases of the program. The outcome of the training was shown among others in the participant’s change in behaviour during their learning process and through the participant’s way of implementing the tools they learned. Talha, one of the trainers said, that one of the best things about the training was the change in attitude and their positive attitude towards learning new methods and techniques to use in their future work and in campaigns. Talha elaborated: "The very best thing is that those trainings are targeting the right people who need it and will really use it." The trainers are looking very much forward to implement the two next steps of the program. Fact box • Mesaha is a non profit youth organisation based in Cairo, Egypt • It is a volunteer run space that supports youth-‐led initiatives and groups working for the sake of their communities • Mesaha collaborates with ActionAid to promote civic engagement of youth in Cairo, support youth-‐led initiatives, and enhance outreach to youth activists.
Grand Opening of the Global Platform Jordan On Wednesday the 24th September the Global Platform Jordan officially opened up the doors to the new house. It was an evening for everybody – neighbours, partners, future partners and interested youth - to come by and get an understanding and a talk about the work that the Global Platform conducts in the region. Platform manager Camilla opened the house by welcoming the guests to the house and afterwards, the house was open for people to have a look around and to have a talk with the platform staff.
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Creative trainers offered creative activities in the different training rooms and the organisations Activista and Turning Tables were also present to show and tell about their work and activities in Jordan. It was also possible to learn more about AADK, the work of the Global Platform Jordan and the vision and mission in the Region. On the rooftop colleagues from the organisation Bidna Capoeira demonstrated capoeira (dance, music and play) and gave lessons to those who where interested in taking part. As the sun was setting, live music was played at the rooftop and the guests had time to talk and network with each other.
Mi Casa Su Casa From the 3rd to 7th of September the Global Platform Jordan had the pleasure to host colleagues from ActionAid Palestine who had a five-day training in Jordan about how to implement a child sponsorship program. An experienced colleague from ActionAid Bangladesh, where the child sponsorship program has been running successfully for many years, conducted the training.
Update from DAPP On the 4th of September the DAPP (Danish-Arab Partnership Programme) monthly meeting between partners was held at the Platform. This meetings main focus was "working with youth". Among others, the partners discussed in what areas they work with youth, who they work with, and how they work with youth. The partners were able to share and discuss best practices. Camilla, platform manager, presented the AA ARI’s main focus areas: Youth in Civil Society, Local Governance, Youth Leadership, Youth Visions and Women Rights and Safety. She also outlined AA ARI’s best practice experiences, which has been to inspire, challenge and motivate people to take action and believe in their possibility to make positive social change in their society by using an inclusive and innovative approach. This has been the case even though the political
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situation in the region is a challenge to work in, especially when it comes to working with youth and social change. This newsletter will keep you updated on DAPP every month. Fact box • The Danish-‐Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) is Denmark’s collaboration project with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) focusing on reform and democratization. • The programme strengthens dialogue, partnerships and mutual understanding between Denmark and the MENA region. • DAPP Synergy meetings are meetings held once a month among all DAPP Partners.
UPCOMING TRAININGS AND EVENTS October & November: Fellowship training in Jordan and Lebanon 13. – 15. Oct.: ARI Policy & Advocacy Workshop 27. Sep. – 18. Oct.: Three trainings with CDC in Zarqa Jordan (Campaigning, Mobilization & Social Media, Governance & Advocacy) 1. – 8. November: Leadership with Mesaha in Egypt End October: HRBA & Volunteers Mobilization with Abaab in Lebanon End October/beginning of November: DAPP meeting
LET’S COOPERATE!
Global Platform Jordan is one of ActionAid’s training hubs for empowerment and activism. We provide innovative and empowering trainings for young individuals, organisations and youth groups who wish to take positive actions in their societies. You are always welcome to contact us; email: globalplatformjordan@ms.dk
www.globalplatforms.org/jordan www.facebook.com/globalplatformjordan www.youtube.com/globalplatforms
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