Advocacy and Networking Skills Training for NDBUS Members

CUS URBIS team organized 6 days training on “Advocacy and Networking Skills” for NDBUS members of Ward Committee Members of 02 (Polobi), 05 (Mirpur), 08 (Mirpur), 41 (Agargoan), 46 (Mohammadpur), 48 (Jigatola) on 15, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27 November ’08. Out of 90 members 85 were participated in this training session. Sessions were conducted into 6 groups; each group consists of 15 members.

During the 1st half of the session trainees learned about basic advocacy tools and techniques. In the 2nd half of the training session they were divided into 3 groups (each group had 5 members) named Padma, Megna and Jamuna. In this session they were assigned to select individual topics by themselves regarding emerging issues such as Water and Sanitation Problem in Slum Areas, Education basically Child Education problem, Housing, Power Supply etc. and they made Advocacy Proposal on the selected issues based on first half’s theoretical lessons . Everyday the team leader presented their plan to the project adviser Salma A. Safi (honorary treasurer, CUS) and URBIS team.

Parallel to group presentation trainees were assigned to do a role play on how they will be able to place their demand to any politicians or high officials. In this drama 3 members performed as concerned minister, city mayor, govt. secretary; 4 were carried out the role of NDBUS chairman, general secretary, member and journalist, rest of the trainees (8 members) took the role of judges including the chief justice. At the end of the role play judges made their comments. Throughout the training the trainer involved ice breaking games and short entertainment involving the trainees to make them alert or bring relief from monotony.

At the end of the day trainees put their comments on training. ……enjoyed the role play section very much. “from here I know how we could place our demand to the concern authority”. …..leant valuable things from ‘Group Presentation’, this was her first time she had done a group presentation. She mentioned “I was nervous to present my team’s work as a team leader but after presentation it gives me confidence in doing so next time”. …..learnt 8 steps of advocacy minutely. Most of the trainees are eager to train up in income generation items such as driving, sewing, etc. …..said “I like the role play section most. Yes, ministers, higher authorities are not willing to give us time but we’ve to know the art how we could be able to convince them resolving our needs ”. ……mentioned “I like the entertainment portion particularly songs. After having lunch I felt drowsy but songs, comics make me gear up” . ….stated “Most of the participant’s late coming make me upset. Due to their late coming session couldn’t started in time, it should not’. …..cited “ I’ve learnt a lot from this training but it would be more effective it the training took place more than 1 day at least 3 days”.
As a whole trainees were satisfied and gathered knowledge from the training.