Facilitation Skills for Development

Two-day course Wed 21 - Thu 22 Sep  2011

This course is intermediate level, for those who need to lead workshops, planning sessions or team-building, including in multi-cultural settings.  It is for people at any level of the organisation, and assumes that participants will have some or a lot of experience of facilitating groups or teams.  It is oriented towards people working in international development but all participants benefit when a variety of sectors are represented.

(payment in advance --  options above include sending a check and receiving an invoice)

Participants need to be willing and able to attend all of both days. 

During the course you will:

• Develop self awareness and more confidence as a facilitator and greater awareness of the choices you make in order to plan and deliver a session with a group or team.
• Gain insight into why things go well or badly in group facilitation.
• Explore how facilitation is essential to the way that all INGOs and voluntary organisations work.
• Learn more about the causes and resolution of conflict in groups and teams.
• Think about the difference between facilitation, training (and chairing).
• Explore some of the implications of complexity and conversation for facilitation.
• Experience a range of approaches including peer learning and using images.
• Have the chance to lead discussions and receive feedback.
• Receive a comprensive reading list and be able to look at the recommended books.

Vicky Cosstick has been facilitating groups and teams for over 20 years, including the last 9 spent in the international development sector.  This the 18th time the course has been delivered -- it was originally developed for BOND and has run inhouse for two large NGOs as well as in Nairobi in October 2009 for Oxfam and other participants.  In Jan 2011 the course ran for The Partnering Initiative, and for Tearfund.

Vicky has a Masters in Change Agent Skills from Surrey University, is a BOND registered consultant and a member of the International Association of Facilitators.  

This is what some participants said about the course delivered in May 09:

• "The process throughout the two days was exciting, new and filled with purpose, and reflective in many ways.
• "Really enjoyed it and learned a lot"
• "I feel I have a much deeper and broader understanding of facilitation and feel much more energised about doing it."
• "Participative, thought-provoking and created space for reflection."

In Nairobi, some of the words used by participants included:

• Challenging and forced me to reflect and learn from each other and ourselves ... Analytical and thoughtful ... Empowering ... Helpful and lots of new ideas ...  Informative and an eye-opener ... open and participatory approach ... Perplexing and very valuable ... 

There will be a preparatory reflection exercise before the course and at the end  you will receive handouts and a comprehensive reading list as well as a ChangeAware certificate of attendance.  In addition, participants are highly recommended to acquire Christine Hogan's "Understanding Facilitation:  Theory and Principles" and "Practical Facilitation:  A Toolkit of Techniques" (Kogan Page)

"Vicky held an excellent course which greatly increased my understanding of group dynamics, and also gave me practical tools for facilitating groups.  I would recommend her course to anyone who  does facilitation as part of their work."  Former participant.