Category Archives: action learning

Mainstreaming

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‘Mainstreaming’ – a term that I had not come across before arriving at CU in Malawi. Over the last ten years there has been a variety of projects and programs promoted by the donor agencies to address the ‘flavour of the month’ issue. These include human rights, environmental sustainability, gender equality and HIV awareness. Initially funded as separate ‘one off’ target programs these ‘new paradigm’ issues are now integrated (or mainstreamed) into other projects and programs.
My colleague Thokozani, who is responsible for mainstreaming ‘euality’ had arranged to run a 3 1/2 day session as part of the Capacity Building for Sugar Outgrowers project. This EU/Solidaridad funded project is designed to increase the capacity of small scale sugar producers and the sugar industry in general. I was flattered when she asked me to assist design the running sheet. Whilst she was confident about delivering a whole variety of different ways to achieve her goals, I have to admit to being a little skeptical about her actually delivering them when the time came. Oh one of little faith!

Participants exploring how they interact with others of different social rank using Sivasailam Thiagarajans playing card role play activity.

Participants exploring how they interact with others of different social rank using Sivasailam Thiagarajans playing card role play activity.

When reporting back on the workshop she was excited about how it had all gone, and how engaged the participants were. Some of the techniques she used were:

  • A ‘lit review’ for the group to define ‘equality’ (their answer ‘Equal participation and access by all’)
  • A ‘poster process’ to explore Human Rights.
  • The DEPI designed ‘bi-focal’ in which first the men, then the women spoke about what it was like to be that gender in the sugar industry.
  • The Sivasailam Thiagarajan role play activity where participants have to ‘wear’ a playing card (KQJ 10-6 randomly dealt) and treat each other according to their rank.
  • Conversation cards to help discussion on furthering equality in the industry.
  • Finally, a comprehensive action plan to overcome blockages to equality in the sugar industry
Participants in turn discussing what it's like to be male/female in the sugar industry using the DEPI bi-focal process

The women discussing what it’s like to be female in the sugar industry, while the men listen, using the DEPI bi-focal process

I regret not being able to be at the workshop, but am looking forward to working further with her.

Workshops

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I have now facilitated three workshops with CU, with another scheduled for next week. I constantly see many similarities between the role of an architect and that of the facilitator. Each workshop is a different design exercise, and both are about creating a space for people to relate to each other. This can be both at the physical, literal level that provides shelter (out of the wind and rain in the former, the everyday bedlam in the latter) and also at the ‘meta level’, where the conversation can be about the design structure itself.

CU staff, Govt officers and leading community members considering how to sustain the impact of the Local Development Sustainability Project after it ends in a years time.

CU staff, Govt officers and leading community members consider how to sustain the impact of the Local Development Sustainability Project after it ends in a years time.

Thus at the meta level another analogy with the world of architecture is that no architect is either truly original or every project completely unique. But at the same time, every designer has their own style, their own approach, their own preferred details.

Using the poster process, CU staff consider aspects of M&E raised by individuals during the initial round of Semi Structured Interviews.

Using the poster process, CU staff consider aspects of M&E raised by individuals during the initial round of Semi Structured Interviews.

I continue to find the ‘poster’ concept that I used in the ’19 Points of Connection’ show works well in a variety of different settings. In the first workshop I wanted to introduce to the group as a whole some of the concepts around Monitoring and Evaluation that had been raised by individuals in my Semi Structured Interviews. In the second I used a variation to enable different work units (each comprising a variety of CU staff, Govt. staff and community leaders) both present their proposals for their project exit strategy, and also act as ‘critical friends’ with each other.

After each Key Result Area group had developed their exit plan, the leader presented to members of other groups as 'critical friends'. This way gaining new insights and refinement opportunities.

After each Key Result Area group had developed their exit plan, the leader presented to members of other groups as ‘critical friends’. This way gaining new insights and refinement opportunities.

As a workshop detail, I suspect it will be a bit of a signature activity of mine for a few more workshops yet.

 

Everyday complexity

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A wonderful characteristic of European cities is the layers of history piled on top of each other. Modern technological on top of Renaissance art on top of medieval piety on top of Roman paganism. Here in Malawi it seems to all exist at the same time, right now, in real time.

Everyday medieval market

Everyday medieval market

On a regular basis I see what I’m sure most medieval towns in Europe really looked like, complete with the wealthy picking their way carefully through the mess, or more usually ploughing through it in their (4WD) carriages. Religion is evident in all forms, from pious pilgrims to a non-stop evangelical form of renaissance.  At every step there is something that causes wonder and perplexity.

Pilgrims on their way to celebrate Allah's birthday.

Pilgrims on their way to celebrate Mohammed’s birthday.

I have just watched a guy making deliveries to the office. From his truck he fully loads a wheelbarrow, but there is a step which, on every trip, causes something from the load to fall off. Each time he stops, picks up the (often damaged) carton or packages, and lifts and pulls the wheel barrow from the front over the step. On the fourth trip the wheel barrow is full of cans

Not Florence Cathedral. Yet.

Not Florence Cathedral, Church at Chilomoni.

of paint. It hits the step and a can falls off, breaks open and splashes paint around. He first puts the broken pot back on the wheelbarrow before deciding that might not be such a good idea and makes vague attempts to wash the paint splashes off his trousers. Leaving the large splodge of paint on the concrete, he then pushes the wheelbarrow into the office with the wheel making white dashes on the carpet down the corridor. Nobody blinks.

paintMy colleague says that there is no culture of learning within Malawian society. Perhaps he’s right, or perhaps it is a charge that can be levelled at every culture and it is more about what is important to who. Either way, it all certainly adds to the colour of life (and office!).

So who is learning what? Who isn't?

So who is learning what? Who isn’t learning?

19 Points of Connection – Finding the ideal environment for happy humans

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“We know a lot about the ideal environment for a happy whale or a happy mountain gorilla. We’re far less clear about what constitutes an ideal environment for a happy human being.”– Enrique Peñalosa

This intriguing, hands-on Melbourne Fringe Festival event considers how we piece together the ideal environment for happy humans.

Be prepared to think, listen, contribute and decide.

18th, 20th & 26th September, 6pm

City of Melbourne Bowls Club
Flagstaff Gardens, Dudley St, West Melbourne

Tickets on sale now!
Adult $23 / Conc $20
To book; 03 9660 9666 or melbournefringe.com.au
Book early – only 30 tickets per show

For more info, check here or, facebook.com/19pointsofconnection