Workshop Goals And Objectives

Goals

¬ To promote informed and constructive engagement in relation to the development of locally relevant and effective responses to the HIV epidemic

¬ To increase awareness of the development implications of the spread and impact of the HIV epidemic

¬ To promote the concept of Sustainable Human Development in considering the development implications of the HIV epidemic

¬ To increase understanding of different approaches to strengthening community and national responses

¬ To promote effective policies and programmes which address specific development challenges posed by the HIV epidemic.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop, it is expected that participants will have acquired the following:

¬ Increased understanding of the nature of the epidemic as it relates to development.

¬ Increased understanding of relevant epidemiological data

¬ Increased ability to recognise the potential socio-economic impact of the epidemic at both macro and micro levels

¬ Familiarity with a model of the process of how behaviour change occurs

¬ Ability to use multisectoral programming tools appropriately

Workshop Approach

The workshop is based on three principles:

¬ Placing impact at the centre of training
The analysis upon which the workshop is based places a primary focus upon identifying effective interventions for reducing the impact of the epidemic on social and economic development.

¬ Placing people at the centre of the analysis
People and their communities will be placed at the centre of the analysis leading to decisions about responses to the epidemic: their expressed needs and concerns, their resources, their coping and survival strategies and their development.

¬ Placing hope at the centre of the response
People are changing their behaviour. Families and communities are providing support and care for those affected, and communities, businesses and governments are developing strategies for preventing further infections and re-infection and for minimising the adverse impact of the epidemic.

The belief that the epidemic can be overcome is central to this workshop.

Methodology

The workshop involves a variety of participatory methods and techniques designed to draw upon the experience of each participant. The following may be used during the workshop:

¬ readings and oral presentations
¬ overhead projections, slides and videos
¬ field visits
¬ individual small group work
¬ plenary discussions
¬ planning exercises

Introductions and Icebreakers

Rationale and Purpose

The workshop draws upon participants' personal and professional experience and in so doing may prove challenging to those who are more used to `traditional' methods for teaching and conducting meetings.

In order to make this focus on the integration of personal and professional experience clear from the outset, it is strongly recommended that some "icebreaker" activities be conducted. Individual personal introductions of participants can follow but participants should be encouraged to avoid the temptation of retreating to presentation of their formal professional credentials.

The following are examples of "icebreakers" but facilitators should use those with which they feel most comfortable.

The resource person separates participants into groups by calling out a variety of identifying characteristics (such as eye colour, food preferences, languages spoken etc.). In small groups, participants take it in turn to introduce themselves to each other.

Prepare and place throughout the room signs that indicate the actions, characteristics or places as itemised below. Ask participants to go towards the sign with which they most identify:

1. "I'd rather be..."
At the beach...
Sleeping in my room...
Working in my office...
I like it here...
Elsewhere...
Listening to music...

2. Please approach this sign, those who have:
Green eyes...
Brown eyes...
Blue eyes...
Hazel eyes...
3. Those who:
Have broken a law, move to a corner of the room...
Have never broken any law, stand in the opposite corner...

4. Those who:
Have or had a close friend with HIV or AIDS... (stand in the middle of the room)
Don't have a close friend with HIV or AIDS... (stand in one corner)
Don't know if they have a close friend with HIV or AIDS... (stand in the opposite corner)

Prepare a set of post cards and cut them into 5 even pieces, enough for each participant to have one. Distribute the pieces among participants before asking them to find the matching parts and to form a whole post card. Ask them, once this is done, to introduce themselves or to get to know each other further as appropriate. Alternatively, groups can be formed according to colour (i.e. give them a different coloured piece of card or paper - for as many small groups as need to be formed).

Name tags are useful and can be made more interesting through the use of a Polaroid camera. A nominated individual can be charged with taking a snap-shot of each participant as they arrive at the workshop venue. A blank sheet of paper is given to each participant and they are invited to write information which they would like to share about themselves with others. Their photos will be pasted on the written sheets and exhibited on a panel.

Materials: Markers, flipchart paper, big cards/signs, post cards, colour cards, white sheets of paper for biographies. Polaroid camera, film.
Time: 30 minutes

Expectations and Outcomes

Rationale and Purpose

Identifying and articulating expectations and concerns of participants emphasises from the outset, the joint responsibility for learning among participants and facilitators which is reflected in the participatory process of the workshop. It also assists in the identification of specific areas upon which to focus during the workshop.

Facilitators distribute several post-it notes to each participant, asking them to write on each one a single response to the following questions:

· Why am I attending this workshop?
· What do I expect to learn from this workshop?
· What are my main concerns/fears regarding this workshop?

Completed cards should be posted immediately on flipcharts for everyone to see and compare. At the earliest opportunity facilitators should prepare and distribute a summary of the key issues raised by participants.

Materials: White cards, flipchart paper, masking tape, markers.
Time: 5-10 minutes

Establishing Ground Rules

Rationale and Purpose

Consistent with the concept and principles of Sustainable Human Development (SHD), the workshop is based upon the idea of shared responsibility rather than reinforcing the traditional roles of `expert' or `teacher'. Instead, responsibility for the leadership of the group and its tasks: for example timekeeping, role assignment and task allocation within small group discussions, is increasingly shared between facilitator(s) and participants.

This exercise, encouraging participants to convey ideas through non-traditional means, generates humour and participation.

Procedure

Provide a brief description of the participatory methods to be used during the workshop as an introduction to the idea of the need for mechanisms which assist the group to lead itself productively.

Depending upon the size of the group, request suggestions for some basic rules (or conditions) as to how the group will function. Write these up for all to see on a flipchart (e.g. timekeeping, smoking, not allowing a few participants to dominate the discussions).

Next, ask participants to spend a few minutes developing a few simple symbols to convey these rules or conditions, before inviting participants, in turn, to explain these to the rest of the group. When each participant has presented their "rules", ask them to post them on the wall. Emphasize the responsibility of every participant to ensure that the rules or conditions are followed.

In support of this, suggest the following: each participant is provided with three cards (red, yellow, green). Whenever someone (including facilitators) "breaks" a rule, other participants will flash the red card. When a conflicting or "hot" issue which is not directly pertinent to the discussion is identified, it will be acknowledged by showing a yellow card and noted by the rapporteurs for subsequent discussion. Green cards can be flashed to endorse useful presentations, questions, statements or comments.

Materials: Paper, flipchart paper, markers, red, yellow, green cards.
Time: 15 minutes