Voice from coordinator of ILDC2024(AHI alumnus)
What is different from last year when being a participant?
As a coordinator, I have started my journey of ILDC 2024 with the team by developing the course outline, finalizing application forms and intensive working during the participant selection process. I had to think to ensure the project’s success in meeting the learning needs of every participant and realized how challenging it can be to get everyone on the same page.
To support participants in meeting their learning needs by themselves, I worked with the session team to find ways to incorporate as many learning needs as possible into various sessions. Certainly, it was sometimes difficult to meet everyone’s learning needs due to the diverse backgrounds of the participants. However, this diversity also brought a valuable dynamic. Some of the experienced participants took the initiative to support others outside of formal sessions, sharing their insights and skills to enhance learning across the group.
By focusing that, my understanding of participatory training management and the importance of teamwork among participants was enhanced. Participants support each other to shape the training to meet their own learning needs, making it more relevant and useful. When people are involved in developing the skeleton of the training, they are more likely to remember and use what they have learned afterward.
Any challenges did you face?
Sometimes, participants struggled to build a secure relationship among them. We needed to take more initiatives to create a secure and trusting environment among the participants. This experience showed me how important it is not just to facilitate learning contents but also to foster connections among participants for working better together and achieving the shared goals.
What makes AHI's participatory training unique, do you think?
AHI’s training programs are truly participatory. This is not just engaging the participants in session time or make a two-way communication between facilitator and training participants. What truly sets this training apart is that every aspect—such as the objectives, schedule, learning needs, and session plans—is collaboratively designed and developed by the participants themselves. Getting participants involved not only helps them feel more devoted but also allow for sharing of ideas and experiences that makes the learning experience richer.
This year I figured out how I could actually apply them within my own organization. Setting a high ambitious goal could lead to setbacks since carrying out these plans depends heavily on management decisions and, most importantly, on securing funding from donors. So, I’m focusing on a realistic approach to make gradual progress.
Developing my learning community
I am now planning to organize an online meeting in January 2025 with my ILDC 2023 friends. This meeting will be a great opportunity for us to reconnect, share our experiences, and discuss any challenges we have encountered since completing the plan of action.
In addition, I shall try my best to establish a platform that will keep these kinds of initiatives alive and encourage continued collaboration. To make this possible, I am planning to form a committee (depending on the interest and availability of all participants) dedicated to sustaining our network and creating more chances for mutual learning and support well into the future.
