Details of Forthcoming Trainings

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) for Organizational Change

Course Objective:

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a powerful process for energizing positive change in organizations, teams and communities. AI has been used successfully in as diverse settings as grassroots communities and multi-national corporations. Rather than just another technique, AI is a radically innovative approach to the whole field of organizational capacity building and social change.

Through a carefully developed set of questions and a process of dialogue, we uncover stores of our “peak experiences” those moments in our lives when we felt most effective, most connected, most alive. The approach is based on the premise that organizations change in direction in which they inquire. So an organization which inquires into problems will keep finding problems, but an organization which studies what it has accomplished and discovers its “Positive Core” will have an excellent base from which to build a future where the best becomes commonplace and allows for even greater innovation and positive change.

Contents

What is Appreciative Inquiry?

The theory and origins of Appreciative Inquiry

The Appreciative Inquiry 4-D Model: How it works

How AI is being used throughout Africa and elsewhere

How the AI concepts can be applied to your own workplace challenges

Methods for sustaining the positive changes and momentum AI creates

Duration: Four days
Date: August 9 – 12, 2005
Target Group: Senior Staff of Member NGOs and interested agencies

NGO Resource Mobilization Course Objective: Resource mobilization remains an area that is of major interest and concern to NGOs in Ethiopia. The major source of resource for NGOs in the country has mainly been donations and governments of developed countries from the North. This still remains to be the major part of the response to the financial needs of NGOs in the country. As a result NGOs in the country continue to look to the North for resources without seriously exploiting the potential of local environment in this area. Thus, the training course is designed to offer the participants understand the role of domestic resource mobilization in ensuring sustainability and growth through strategic fundraising.
Course Benefits	Contents
The aims of the course are to help participants: On the legal, social and cultural situations in Ethiopia in relation to resource mobilization On alternative approaches to resource mobilization by focusing on conceptual as well as practical experiences in Ethiopia and other places Understand the role of domestic resource mobilization in ensuring sustainability and growth through strategic fundraising With the skills in designing and programming alternative ways of generating resources as well as the pros and cons of the different alternatives On the role of the organizational image and credibility of NGOs plays in promoting a successful domestic resources mobilization programs	Basic concepts and principles of Resource Mobilization Practical experience in Resource Mobilization How NGOs can demonstrate a better Organizational Image and Credibility The Culture of Philanthropy in Ethiopia Challenges and opportunities of Resource Mobilization in Ethiopia Ways and means of Mobilizing Resources Fundraising experience of other African Countries How to ensure sustainability growth from Strategic Fundraising
Duration: Five days Date: October 3 – 7, 2005 Target Group: Senior Management Staff and Fundraising Officers

Constituency Building & Community Empowerment Course Objective: The limited engagement that CSOs had with the Government has shown that without seriously taking the issue of constituency building, seeking space for CSOs in the national development process would be not only controversial but also challenging in its own right. In order to advocate for reform on specific issues, people must first be able to analyze their situation and identify constraints and opportunities to address the needs, which is the process of constituency building. Constituency building and community empowerment is a natural extension of political consciousness because it results when people compare their own lives with others around them through community participation and critical analysis processes. The identification of differences, realization of existing discrimination, and cause and effect analysis of the situation are the steps of building critical constituency that helps establish and maintain healthy organizational culture. Constituency building has emerged in the process of participatory situation analysis which brought forward issues like gender based discriminations, rights of women and need for a social equity based development approach. Expanding education initiatives and promoting community participation have helped to empower the community and learn about their rights and potentials.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the training participants will be able to: Understand concept of constituency building and community empowerment Learn new participatory approach of constituency building and community empowerment Apply the tools and methods needed to empower community and build constituency	Introduction Key concepts of constituency and empowerment Participatory community planning and constituency building Opportunities and Challenges of community empowerment and constituency building Evaluating the Implementation community empowerment and constituency building Linking community empowerment with constituency building Foundations of community empowerment and constituency building The importance of Constituency in NGO Activity Need for Initiating a long-term Capacity Building Project for Ethiopian NGOs on Constituency Building Role and Responsibility of an NGO in Constituency Building and Community Empowerment Voluntarism and Constituency NGOs perception in constituency building and community empowerment
Duration: Five days Date: September 19 – 23, 2005 Target Group: Project/Programme Officers and Advocacy Officers

Finance for Non-Financial Managers Course Objective: The success of any organization depends on how effectively and efficiently its resources are managed by those entrusted with that responsibility. Accountability and responsibility are important for NGOs’ existence. NGOs are increasingly accessing grants that have stringent financial regulations from accounting to reporting. They face challenges from stakeholders to be transparent in how they manage their resources. NGOs need sound financial systems that show accountability and transparency. This course aims at building the knowledge and skills to be efficient and effective in managing the resources available to achieve organizational objectives.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Identify the guiding principles and tools of financial management, the concepts of financial accounting, management accounting and financial planning and control Develop relevant systems for safeguarding organization’s assets Appreciate the role of auditing and how it contributes to management information systems, control and decision-making Apply the skills required to prepare and interpret different types of financial reports	Financial Management Basics Financial System Design Strategic Planning Internal Control Systems Financial Planning and Budgeting Reporting to Stakeholders and Developmental Financing Strategies Procurement Procedures and VAT
Duration: Three days Date: July 20 – 22, 2005 Target Group: Upper and Middle level Administrators, Senior level Development Workers, Board Members working with NGOs and CBOs and Senior Management Staff involved in Financial Management with no Accounting Background

Gender Training

Course Objective:

Gender and Development (GAD) is an approach to bring equitable and sustainable development in a society by narrowing the unequal power relation between men and women. Women in all the societies are relatively in a disadvantaged position to enjoy the fruits of development intervention. Due to their position in a society, women are not allowed to acquire skill, own assets, speak equal to men, etc. To address this problem the GAD approach provides skill, methods and tools that are helpful in designing projects/programs to provide equitable services in all the interventions. Thus, the course is intended to enhance participants’ awareness on GAD approach and to help them appreciate the need to gender mainstream projects and to change organizations culture for effective development.

Due to the inter-relation of the topics, the GAD training will be organized in a Block divided in three (i.e. Gender and Sustainable Development, Gender and Organizational Change and Gender Mainstreaming).

Contents

Block One – Gender and Sustainable Development

Historical Background about Gender

Introduction to Social Constructs of Gender

Gender and Development

Differences and similarities between GAD and WID

Gender Analytical Framework

Gender Sensitive Project Development

Baseline Survey Indicators

Gender Sensitive Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Gender Impact Indicators

Block Two – Gender & Organizational Change

Women and Gender Dilemma

Process of Planning and Gender Mainstreaming at the Organizational Level

Organizational Analysis from a Gender Perspective

Gender and Organizational Change

Gender Budgeting and Resource Allocation

Skills Required to Guide Change Process within Organizations and Programme

Leadership Styles from a Gender Perspective

Block Three – Gender Mainstreaming

Gender in Projects and Programs

Gender Assessment and Planning at Program and Field Levels

Gender-Sensitive Project Development

Gender Analytical Planning and Methodology

Mainstreaming Gender in Programs and Projects

Design, Implementation and Monitoring of Gender Sensitive Projects/Programs

Gender Impact Indicators

Duration: Sixteen days
Block 1Date: August 1 – 5, 2005
Block 2 Date: August 15 – 19, 2005
Block 3 Date: September 5 – 10, 2005
Target Group: Project Officers, Program Coordinators & Program Managers

ToT on HIV/AIDS Counseling Course Objective: It has become over 19 years since the first AIDS case has been reported by medical professionals here in Ethiopia. Since then, the epidemic has grown astronomically and many more people died of the HIV/AIDS infection and other related opportunistic infections. Although all age groups are affected, the age group between 24 – 39 is disproportionately affected by the virus which entails that the most affected are supposed to be the most productive sector of the population. HIV/AIDS directly and indirectly affects all humanity, and combating the disease is a challenge to all. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has become a serious health and development problem in the country that has potentially threatened the social and economic life of our people and will continue to do so in the years ahead of us. As a result, it is now beyond the capacity of the health care providers to give hospital care for the AIDS patients.
Course Benefits	Contents
At the end of the course participants would be able to: Develop caring, trusting and supportive relationship Acquire new and up-to-date knowledge and innovative skills in the area of HIV/AIDS Explore relationship with others Develop counseling skills and knowledge	Magnitude of HIV Epidemic and Impact Mode of HIV Transmission, STIs and Relationship with HIV Biology, Immunology and Natural Course of HIV Clinical Manifestation of HIV Disease Diagnosis (AIDs case definition, WHO staging and Lab. Test) Treatment of HIV and OI ARV Drug classifications and Criteria to initiate ART Criteria for Drug Change ART for Children and Pregnant Women Behavioral Change Communication HIV Prevention Methods Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Sex and Sexuality & Desensitization Exercise Counseling: Definition and Demonstration on how it differs from other type of help Principal components of the VCT Protocol Couple Counseling – Post Test Family Counseling and Adolescents Counseling Children Data Collection and Documentation (Data Utilization) Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling Integration and Effective Referral Teaching Methodology/Facilitation Skills
Duration: Twenty days Date: July 4 - 29, 2005 Target Group: Health Personnel, Social Worker, Counselors, Project Officers working in the area of HIV/AIDS

Action Oriented Research Course Objective: An indication that there is a need for intervening organizations systematically analyzing development problems and corresponding polices in their work and developing feasible and creative solutions. In the face of pressing problems, such improvements are urgently needed. If, for example, a service offered by a certain NGO is not taken up by the beneficiaries, the reasons must be investigated and improvements made. Service delivery and capacity building activities in NGO sectors must become more practical and relevant. In addition, the existing NGOs best practices in the development arena must be documented, promoted and disseminated and there by influence polices. One of the major themes of undertaking Action Oriented Research, among others is to generate empirical data that would help for networking within the organization and outside with like-minded for and proactively engage in advocacy and lobbying around issues related to development and other common concerns at national and global levels. In addition, the existing best practices in development arena must be documented, promoted and disseminated and there by influence polices.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the training participants will be able to: Recognize problems and help in finding effective solutions Implementing projects using relatively few resources Conduct objective analysis of problems encountered in their day-to-day activities Resolve those problems using few resources Develop their own initiatives Document the best practices of their organizations Disseminate to other like-minded actors Use it in their program intervention area Document the best practices for policy advocacy	Introduction to Action Oriented Research The process o f Action Oriented Research The Problem of Action Oriented Research Making Action Oriented Research Work; Connecting the Research to Action Evaluating the Implementation of Action Oriented Research Linking Action Oriented Research with Policy Documentation, Reporting, Dissemination the findings of Action Oriented Research Foundations of Learning and Training
Duration: Five days Date: October 17 – 21, 2005 Target Group: Leaders of Organization, Researchers, Advocacy & Policy Officers, PR Officers

Good Governance and Ethical Practice

Course Objective

Good governance is a key to the growth and sustainability of non-governmental organizations. “Effective NGO Governance,” presents methods and techniques for planning and implementing actions to improve an organization’s governance. An NGO’s sustainability-its ability to serve its clients over the long term-depends largely on the quality of the organization’s governance. A clear picture of effective governance makes it easier to plan actions that move an NGO in the direction of better governance. “NGO governance is the enhancement of NGO performance through the supervision of management and ensuring the accountability of the NGO to its constituency and its original goals. Therefore, the training is intended to enhance awareness among participating organizations about good governance as a strategy for strengthening organizational and institutional capacity.

Contents

NGOs Evolution and Characteristics

The Concept and Principles of Good Governance

Internal and External Context of NGO Governance

Constituency Building

NGO Board Formation Process

Basic Roles and Responsibilities of NGO Board

Fundraising and Financial Management Responsibilities of the Board

Legal Responsibilities of the Board

NGO Governance and Human Rights in the Context of Development

Duration: Five days
Date: July 4 – 8, 2005
Target Group: Senior Management Staff, Programme Officer

Rights Based Approach to Development Course Objective: This course gives an in depth overview of the concepts and methodologies of the rights-based approach to development. The shift to rights based approaches implies that people’s full rights set out in international law are upheld and respected. It is still open to question how far this move represents an important step, which will significantly change the lives of the poorest of the poor, or is simply a change of rhetoric. Whatever the conclusions, it is becoming impossible for NGOs to avoid taking a position on rights-based approaches.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the course, participants will have knowledge of: The different meanings of a rights-based approach to development The key legal instruments underpinning the rights-based approach The major debates around taking a rights-based approach Different ways that NGOs have incorporated a rights-based approach into their strategy and programming The implications for NGOs moving towards a rights-based approach How to analyze the appropriate position for their organization towards the rights-based approach	General Introduction Development – Defined in Relation to Human Rights Notions of development from different theoretical perspective The concept of human rights The Normative framework governing the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and international level Human Rights approach to development Tools that make the human rights approach to development operational Implications of embracing human rights approach to development in Ethiopia and specifically by the NGO sector Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms that use the human rights frame work
Duration: Six days Date: November 7 – 12, 2005 Target Group: Programme /Project Officers, Managers, Programme Directors or Project Directors etc.

ToT on Advocacy and Lobbying Skill Course Objective: This ToT course will have two main objectives of acquainting members with the necessary skills and strategies of organizing advocacy and lobbying campaigns and also equipping participants with different adult teaching and presentation techniques. The course will be advantageous for organizations engaged with capacity building on advocacy and lobbying skills at a local level especially those that mobilize CSOs for Lobbying.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the training the participants will: Gain a deeper knowledge and skills to be practiced in a real setting and design and deliver training Reflect on their experiences in the field Reinforce their basic skills in facilitation and group work methods Pass onto others what they have learned about advocacy and lobbying	The role of the Advocate Preparing Writing Briefings for Advocacy How to Design and Organize Public Information Campaign Meeting Skills and How to Represent Others in Public Designing a Media Strategy Lobbying and Negotiation Skills Understanding Adults as Learners Setting Learning Objectives Presentation Skills and Group Work Methods Facilitation
Duration: Twenty days Date: Will be Announced Soon Target Group: Advocacy Officers, Fundraising Officers, Public Relations Officers, Program Managers

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Local Peace Building & Conflict Resolution Course Objective: Development, humanitarian assistance and peace-building work have an impact on the dynamics of conflict and peace, which can be positive or negative. Well-planned interventions can indeed have the potential to create the conditions for sustainable peace. They can also exacerbate or create conflict, particularly when these are not carefully designed, planned or implemented in a conflict-sensitive manner, at both the project and sectoral levels. For instance, if not planned in a conflict-sensitive way, water irrigation schemes, as a development intervention, may cause conflicts between pastoralist groups living downstream over access to water. Understanding the relationship between such interventions in the field of development, humanitarian assistance and peace-building and conflict dynamics is difficult for practitioners and it is essential that they are equipped with effective tools in order to make the right decisions. There is, thus, a need for a new initiative to systematically examine conflict sensitive approaches, to ensure that practitioners understand how they can pursue a development, humanitarian or peace-building approach that does promote peace.
Course Benefits	Contents
At the end of the course participants would be able to: Understand the importance of peace in development work Understand the different tools for building peace Include mediation skills in conflict resolution project management	Understanding Peace and Conflict Facilitation and Mediation Conflict Analysis Conflict Sensitive Project Management Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills Incorporation of Local Capacities for Peace into the Different Phases of Project Development
Duration: Five days Date: July 18 - 22, 2005 Target Group: Advocacy Officers, Senior Managers, Project/Program Coordinators, Project Officers

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IV. Courses Related to Development Project Management

Mainstreaming Cross-cutting Issues in Project/Programmes Course Objective The course introduces the basic ideas behind mainstreaming of cross cutting issues mainly; HIV/AIDS, Gender, Environment and Population and provides participants with planning skills to help in the integration of cross cutting issues in all relevant sectors. It draws links between the theories of Gender, Population, HIV/AIDs and Environment with the contexts of the community in which the issue occurs and the organization that are implementing development. The goal of mainstreaming into development work at a sectoral, institutional and community level is intended to ensure the impacts. Mainstreaming by its very nature is context specific. The topics and tools identified for the training have critical importance to produce optimum understanding, successful designing and future implementation of both internal (workplace interventions) and specific external mainstreaming. The course is designed for workers of the development sector. The overall aim of the course is to introduce participants to the principles and key aspects of mainstreaming cross cutting issues in the development context. As it is clearly understood in our national and regional practices the major gap in mainstreaming effort is shortage of the how to do tools.
Course Benefits	Contents
By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Explain concept of mainstreaming and its relevance to development Analyze critically the issues and culture in Africa as well as in Ethiopian context Identify issues for mainstreaming in key development sectors (Agriculture, food security, etc.) Plan for integration of cross cutting issues in organizations and programmes Develop strategies for empowerment	Rationale, background, key aspects and strategies of mainstreaming The African as well as Ethiopian Context and the impact of culture on cross cutting issues and their relation to the community. Mechanisms for dealing with resistance when working with cross cutting issues (Gender, HIV/AIDs, Environment, Population etc.) Ways of integrating cross cutting issues into existing planning frameworks used by NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, etc. An Introduction to some of the community used cross cutting issues planning tolls (Rapid Assessment for Measuring AIDS Impacts, Gender Analysis Matrix, etc) The barriers affecting participation in mainstreaming issues Develop strategies of Mainstreaming and Empowerment
Duration: Six days Date: October 3 – 7, 2005 Target Group: NGO Leaders, Programme/Project Directors and Project Officers

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Monitoring & Learning/In-built Monitoring

Course Objective:

Good development practice is a process. It gets better as people reflect and learn from their experiences. It is necessary to take Monitoring as one of the means for learning and reflection. If monitoring is designed as a learning process it can help to work towards winning people’s confidence by being open, honest and transparent. It can make every interaction with stakeholders a conscious learning opportunity and also contribute to build a culture of accountability. Therefore, to assist development practitioners, managers and other stakeholders to increase impact in the complex and rapidly changing world, monitoring has to be designed as a learning opportunity and mechanism. This course is organized to support participants in designing and implementing a monitoring system that can help to learn, reflect and build up on good practices for better intervention.

Contents

The concept of Participatory

Monitoring principles

The learning Cycle

Development of Qualitative and Quantitative Information

Information Analysis

Redesigning

Duration: Five days
Date: October 31 – November 4, 2005
Target Group: Senior and Middle Level Development Workers

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OD to Capacity Building Course Objective: This is an introductory course on capacity building, focusing on understanding the process of capacity building and strengthening from the perspective of organizations. Capacity building takes place at different levels, such as at the individual level, or at a broader societal level. This course concentrates on building capacity of organizations, and looks at this organizational approach for NGOs.
Course Benefits	Contents
During the course, participants will: Understand organizations: how they work, develop and adapt in a rapidly changing environment Relate understanding of organizations to the way one works, both internally and with partner organizations Unpack “capacity building” – what is good practice? Examining the Roles of Northern NGOs/Donors in Capacity Building	What is Organizational Development Types and Forms of Organizations What is Learning Team Building Capacity Building Role of Northern NGO’s Donors towards capacity building
Duration: Five days Date: August 1 – 5, 2005 Target Group: Capacity Building Officers, Leaders and Managers