REPORT OF THE DISTRICT PESHAWAR TRAINING WORKSHOP OF YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM (YLTP) JUNE 8-17, 2009
Introduction
Third district level training workshop of the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) phase II was organized by joint partnership of BKTEF and the Hanns Seidel Foundation for youth of district Peshawar and FATA from June 8-17, 2009 in the Peshawar University International Relations Department. The training was conducted and facilitated by Master Trainers from the first training phase of the program.
Training Objective
The training workshop aimed at engaging selected group of youth in a constructive discourse about practices of good governance and equipping them with knowledge and skills helpful to understand relevant social and political issues in order to prepare for leadership role in the society.
Training Duration
The workshop extended over nine days and consisted of total 45 contact hours.
Target Group
Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) district level trainings focus youth aged between 20-28 with minimum qualification of graduation. An advertisement was propagated for selection of the youth (both genders) from district Peshawar and FATA and interviews were conducted based on the set out criteria. 60 youth belonging from district Peshawar were selected for the training. 56 participants successfully completed the workshop with 30 and 70 boys and girls participation ratio respectively.
Inaugural Session
On day one in its inaugural session attended by Professor Ijaz Khan, Dr. Noor Shahjehan, Mr. Asfandyar from Hanns Seidel Foundation, Mr. Waqar Ahmad Khattak, Project Director Youth Leadership Training Program and the project team, the trainees were apprised of the Foundation and the training objectives. A briefing of the project was extended by Ms. Amna Durrani and Mr. Waqar Khattak further highlighted the program goals and activities.
Training Methodology
The training was participatory and interactive and provided for maximum interaction between the participants and the master trainers. Training was delivered mostly in the media of lecture, group activities, case studies, presentations and role plays. Concepts of democracy, peace and development, leadership and human rights were major workshop themes. The participants expressed views on the related themes and presented their group work and assignments to the class.
Guest Speakers
Dr. Noor Shahjehan, professor at International Relations Department of Peshawar University substantiated the session on democracy in his lecture on the topic “The Relevance of Democracy and Rights in Our Present Situational Context”.
Dr. Haider Ali Member Provincial Assembly contributed as guest speaker in the module of Peace and Development on the topic of Peace with special reference to prevailing situation in the region.
Mr. Richard Asbeck, Resident Representative from Hanns Seidel Foundation also marked his presence on one of the training days. He spoke to the participants about the purpose of the training and had an interaction with the participants about the program.
Monitoring and Evaluation
An ongoing evaluation of the training program was conducted. Training activities, delivery and methodology were observed and changes were made accordingly to adapt to the participants needs. Mr. Asfandyar representing HSF also visited to observe the event for two days.
Daily evaluation of each session was also conducted by the participants about their learning needs, trainers’ style and methodology and logistic arrangements.
Session wise participants’ learning assessment was also carried out. The participants were evaluated in terms of their active participation, punctuality, daily attendance and presentations.
Reflections
The participants were very excited about this initiative of the Foundation and the HSF. They expressed the need for more such opportunities for youth by potential
organizations with special focus on youth within IDPs. Participants from FATA shared with the group a presentation about FATA in the context of human rights violations in the module on Peace and Development.
Training Outcomes
Ø Training was able to foster a dialogue on good governance and democratic practices based on the understanding of democracy and human rights.
Ø The workshop developed an understanding of significance correlation between peace and development and how all the main themes were interdependent for the success of democratic culture.
Ø Networking among existing group through an online group.
Ø A theme song was produced by a group of motivated participants highlighting training objectives.
Certificate Distribution Event
Certificates were distributed among participants successfully completing nine days workshop. A certificate distribution ceremony was organized on the last day. Dr. Ijaz Khan Chairman International Relations Department awarded certificates to the trainees and expressed satisfaction over successful completion of the event and expressed hopes for continuity of the learning by the participants in their individual and collective capacity even further. Mr. Waqar Khattak and the Project Director Mr. Javed Anwar expressed their gratitude for cooperation extended by the International Relations Department.
Future Strategy
More than hundred and thirty youth male and female belonging from Karak, Nowshehra, Peshawar and FATA have received training under the program. Next training will be organized for the youth of district Charsadda where after a Youth Conference comprising all individuals trained so far in phase I and phase II district level trainings will participate.