My Hopes and Expectation for ILDC 2025
The International Training Course (ILDC) is not just a one-time learning experience but a starting point for continuous learning among AHI alumni . Since 2023, AHI has been focusing on identifying key actors among its alumni and supporting them in promoting a learning community where the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and collaboration among NGOs in the Asian region will continue even after the ILDCs. As part of this strategy, AHI is involving an alumnus in the coordination team for ILDC 2025, as we believe his experience as an ILDC coordinator will help him explore opportunities for cultivating our learning community.
Mr. John A-aron Manangkil Lumbab, a 2016 alumnus from Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. Institute of Primary Health Care (DMSF-IPHC), the Philippines, will share his thoughts on taking the coordination role as well as his role in initiating the learning community.
ILDC Through My Eyes
It’s been almost nine years since I participated in ILDC
but I’m still carrying that learning experience up until now. If I were to describe my entire experience,
it would be “beyond expectations”.
What I appreciate the most is everyone had a chance to share their works, which provided immense inspiration to all of us.
As one of the key features of ILDC, participants also serve as resource persons for specific topics. Through this, I learned a lot from my co-participants, including the health situations in their respective communities, how the health systems in their countries operate, and approaches to strengthening People’s Organizations.
My co-participants and I have developed a bond or friendship that transcends the training period.
As a coordinator for ILDC 2025
“A mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness”.
Excitement because this collaboration is a first for IPHC and I’m grateful to be chosen as the counterpart of IPHC for ILDC 2025 as one of the training coordinators. Nervous because I might not be able to meet the expectations, but one thing is for sure: I’m more excited than nervous. =)
Being one of the coordinators for ILDC 2025 is an opportunity that also comes with a great responsibility. It is not only an opportunity for my growth as a development worker but also as an individual.
It also comes with great responsibility because, as a coordinator, you need to at least provide a safe space for everyone.
That means participants and all those involved in the training are free to express themselves—their thoughts, feelings, insights, and even constructive criticism for improvement.”A coordinator will also serve as a bridge to connect the participants, volunteers and AHI staff to have a harmonious environment not only during the training period but even after the training ends.
This might sound like a big challenge, but I firmly believe that with my previous experience in ILDC, AHI being a partner of DMSF– IPHC for over a decade and being a development worker in Davao, Philippines for almost 15 years, I will be playing the role with confidence along with the competencies that were developed over the years.
Moreover, I strongly believe that the learning experience that I will gain in ILDC 2025 will hone not only my knowledge, attitude and skills but my leadership capacity as well, considering that I am one of the second liners of DMSF- IPHC.
Lastly, this collaboration can be the stepping stone in the establishment of DMSF– IPHC’s own learning community in the near future.
Organizational Expectations and Future Prospects
As a member of the coordinator team, DMSF– IPHC expects that A-aron will share DMSF– IPHC’s practices in managing training programs based on our varied experiences in conducting trainings for the community, Local Government Units, and other partners.
DMSF– IPHC also expects that he will bring home learnings that can be applied to managing our own training programs. It is expected that A-aron will demonstrate improved performance in his role as Training Officer, being capable of implementing changes or improvements based on the insights he gains from co-managing the ILDC, where participants with more diverse backgrounds—compared to those in our training programs—will learn from one another.
For more details on ILDC 2025, please click here.
