ICF conducted Online Thematic Workshops

Last Updated (Wednesday, 07 October 2020 17:29)

Adapting to the new normal, ICF conducted its Thematic Workshops thru zoom on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and The Effects of the Pandemic on Women. ICF held the first online thematic workshop on Nonviolent Communication (NVC) on September 7, 9, and 11, 2020. 15 youth participants completed the three days online workshop; eight males and seven females. Among them, seven are Christians, one Hindu, four Buddhists, and three Muslims. The participants were from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Philippines, and Timor Leste. The online activity started with an opening prayed led by Denver Talha, one of the participants from the Philippines. It was followed by the sharing of the workshop’s guidelines and program orientation. ICF Coordinator, Dr. Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro presented APAY-ICF programs and works. Ms. Amina Mambuay, a certified trainer of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) from the Philippines, facilitated the workshop. She explained to the participants the background and concept of Nonviolent Communication. Her presentation includes the NVC Model, four steps to NVC, 2 steps of NVC, symbols of NVC, and four options for receiving negative messages.

The participants were interactive though faced with a weak internet signal. They wished that the workshop conducted face-to-face for them to learn and engage more with the resource person and the participants. But they also understand that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting it online was the only option for now. The workshop ended successfully with an announcement from ICF on the processing of the internet subsidy refund and their small doable activity proposal.

After the workshop, the participants received the amount of USD100.00 for their internet connection expenses subsidy. Those who also submitted proposals for small doable activity for their community received USD200.00, with the condition that they will submit a brief narrative and a financial report. Six participants submitted their proposed activity: four from the Philippines, one from Nepal, and one from Timor Leste. Their activities were on the following: development of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on NVC, promoting positive messaging thru digital thumbprint program, providing assistance to public school teachers, distribution of school supplies to children, and distribution of food items to women and seminar on conflict resolution and awareness-raising on sexual harassment.

↑ Day 1 participants of the effects of the pandemic on women	↑ Day 1 partcipants of the Nonviolent communication

The second workshop on The Effects of the Pandemic on Women was held on September 14, 16, and 18, 2020. Eleven participants joined in the said activity. All of them were females from different religious traditions: two Hindus, one Buddhist, six Christians, and two Muslims. Annika Denkmann, a BftW seconded personnel from Germany served as a lead facilitator during the workshop. The workshop dealt with topics on the challenges faces by women during the pandemic, existing inequalities pose specific challenges on women, and identifying the spaces in their communities where they can assist the women.

As in the first workshop, participants who completed the workshop receive the amount of USD100.00 as a subsidy for their internet connection expenses. . The participants also submitted small proposals for doable activities for their community. Three participants submitted their proposals: two from Nepal and one from Bangladesh. Their activities focused on responding to women that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected.

In conclusion, ICF was able to conduct successfully the two online thematic workshops.

~ Baidido Saganding, ICF Program Officer