Introduction.
From the 9th of September to 12th of September 2019 male facilitators gathered at Ecumenical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe ( Njube) in Bulawayo for a training workshop . The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the facilitation skills of male facilitators in their movement from track 3 to track 2 facilitation. The workshop however, sought to build confidence of the facilitators as well as to strengthen their general presentation skills. Facilitating the workshop was Reverend Cele with assistance from Bishop Moyo from 09th of September to 11th of September 2019. On the 12th of September 2019 the Conduct Family Centre complemented E.C.L.F work as they equipped the facilitators with trauma counselling skill. Methodology The training was participatory and all the participants were involved through open discussion.
Objectives
- To equip the facilitators with the knowledge on how they unpack the concept of peace when they present.
- To come up with the solutions on how to address some of the challenges they faced from track 3 as they move to track 2.
- To allow participants to share views on different topics and issues addressed.
- To empower the participants with the knowledge on counselling.
Topics covered
The topics that were covered include the definition of peace where peace was defined as having strong institution, strong structures and a positive attitude. Peace has to be invested in these 3 concepts. Facilitation skills was also one of the topics that were covered and participants were told to clearly explain the topics when they present at C.P.M.R.T programs. The speech has to flow so that the participant will be able to follow it. Also, they are expected to unpack concepts meaning they are supposed to simplify big words into a way that their audience can be able to understand. Facilitators also learnt that they have to be inspiring when giving a speech. Participants also learnt about non-verbal communication and listening skills where they were the facilitator outlined that participants are supposed to navigate through temperaments to avoid voice projection but to be very audible as well as to connect with the participants. Diplomacy was also another topic which was discussed. In peace building diplomacy is defined as the way of dealing with people sensitively towards the needs of others. It is the way of handling people or the way you treat individuals. Diplomacy has to do with protocol observing, rules of politeness, behavior, time management and humility. It also goes on with etiquette and deportment which has to do with personal behavior. It involves the way one talks, walks or dresses. Mr Ndlovu from Conduct Family Center came for healing and trauma session. The facilitator mentioned that the healing is not something that can be done in a day but it takes a process. He mentioned that in counselling it is important to give a person time to cry as it is one of the processes in healing. When counselling also one is not allowed to pass judgment rather one should only facilitate and the decision making is for the client and to make sure the decision does not hurt. Mr Ndlovu also highlighted the symptoms of trauma which are one might be struggling to sleep, one might suffer from depression, loss of self-esteem and panic attacks. In a nutshell that was the topics which were covered.
PRESENTATIONS
Participants had the chance to present various topics as far as peace building and conflict resolution is concerned. Presenters were given at least 10 minutes to present on a particular topic and they presented in pairs. What is E.C.L.F about? Is of the first topic which was presented by Bishop Khanye and Mr Magwenzi. They said that E.C.L.F started in 2008 led by Bishop A Moyo. It was formed after the citizens of Zimbabwe was traumatized by the violence which took place during the elections. It is a cooperation of churches playing a vital role in peace building through uniting communities and at all levels. Role of E.C.L.F is to heal and reconcile families and communities. It is also made up of pastors, chiefs, councilors, district focal person and provincial focal person operates at different parts in Zimbabwe. Comment given by the participants were that the presenters should have said more about the roles and objectives of the organization. Definition of conflict was done by Rev Tabvanya and Rev Chinwa and they defined it as energy generated when two or more individuals or groups compete for seemingly incompatible goals. They also mentioned that C.P.M.R.T deals with conflict prevention and managing conflict. Response from the participants was that the other presenter was supposed to define conflict in a simple way rather than starting by defining peace in trying to unpack the concept of conflict to avoid confusing the participants. Shadreck and his partner presented on the nature of conflict and they said conflict is normal, conflict is inevitable, conflict is bound to happen and conflict is dual. It is either be constructive or destructive meaning sometimes conflict helps to bring out ideas that the other part may not perceive as good ideas. Conflict can be destructive in such a way that it can lead to massive violence and loss of lives. Comment given by the participants was that facilitators must not be too quick to answer the questions rather give a comment and this will allow a facilitators and co facilitator time to think on what to say. Mr Zhou and Mr Matanda presented on the topic kinds of conflicts and they mentioned about intar-personal conflict in which they said that it individual conflict and it started from within. Intra personal conflict can lead to self- harm and to the harm of other people as well. Intra personal conflict is a conflict between two or more people and intra personal conflict can lead to inter conflict. Comment given by the participants was the presenters failed to engage the audience there was need for communication between the facilitators and the participants. Mr Muchinda presented on conflict management and he said conflict management is the level of mutual participation in search of solution. He also mentioned that conflict can be managed by use of force, arbitration, negotiation and mediation. Responses given was that the method of presentation was confusing they should have just explained in simpler form rather using a table and arrows. Responses to conflict was another topic which was presented and presenters mention four ways in response to conflicts. Fight is one of the responses that was given. Other may choose to fight as a way in responding to conflict and that does not solve conflict. Another way of responding to conflict was fleeing. Some people might decide to flee but there is a danger of conflict reoccurring. Some people freeze as a way of solving conflicts giving it a cold shoulder. Last respond to conflict which was given was flow that is the stage when people decide to negotiate and mediate. Comment given was that the content was good but the presentation was more of a lecture instead they were supposed to engage the participants and stick to the targeted group. Conflict analysis was also another topic which was presented. Presenters mentioned that conflict is analyzed in order to understand the actors of conflict and also to understand the background and history of the conflict. They also gave the tools of conflict analysis which include conflict tree, conflict circle and conflict onion. Pastor Moyana and Pastor White presented on perceptions and they defined it as an interpretation or perceived reality or an observation that might not consist of the absolute truth. When dealing with perceptions one must make sure that unchecked perceptions have been clarified because wrong perceptions may be a threat to peace. And the last topic which was presented was on power. The presenters defined power as the ability to control or influence. Also there are people have power over and those who have power under. The power of leaders is vested on the majority so the leaders must treat the majority with respect. The majority can have power to fight with those in power if they feel that they are being ill-treated.
Sentiments
Participants felt that they have the content but they are failing to deliver it to the participants and also lack of engaging with the participants.
Participants also learnt the presentation skills from the fellow as well as observing the areas where they are lagging behind.
Participants also suggested that videos and pictures should be taken during workshops for the purpose of documentation.
Participants also encouraged each other to be formal and to be diplomatic.
Challenges
Participants sometimes can be attacked by stage fright and this will make one lose the information.
Participants sometimes are given limited time to speak and are not sure what to say and not to say.
Lack of confidence when intimidated by high profile figures or political leaders.
Participants also face challenges about report writing on how to get information about the pre-environment conflict.
Language barrier is also another problem that face the facilitators because the participant might demand the facilitator to use the local language which at times the facilitator might not be familiar with.
People lacked knowledge about E.C.L.F therefore it difficult at times for facilitators to break the ice as they face resistance from the community until they clearly explain about the organization.
Recommendation
Facilitators are supposed to be well vexed with current news to be able to defend their presentations and able to have a deep insight on the questions that may be raised because some questions might have the motive behind.
Facilitators should be able to connect with the participant and make them participate on the topic presented.
When participants asked a question as a facilitator comment the question given before answering this will give time to the co-facilitator to think and help out.