Dialogue for Peace Facilitator’s Training

Dialogue for Peace Facilitator’s Training

A Dialogue for Peace (D4P) Facilitator’s Training was held from 22-25 July 2018 at Gold Camp in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.  The training event was attended by 50 participants, with 36 local participants – among them are 10 university students (non-scouts); and 14 overseas participants from 13 NSOs, namely: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste.  This training is hosted by Myanmar Scouts, in collaboration with KAICIID and the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

The training is organized to enhance social cohesion and international friendship, enabling young people to discover shared values through dialogue with the aim to: 1) Promote dialogue; 2) Respect all mankind regardless of faith, race, ethnic background, gender or age and to be able to conduct a constructive dialogue with them; 3) Apply the principles of Dialogue as part of one’s value system; and 4) Value the need for peace and dialogue in today’s world.

The opening ceremony was graced by WSC member Mr. Peter Blatch, WSB APSC Regional Director JR Pangilinan, Chairman of the APR Management Sub-Committee Dr. Somboon Bunyasiri and Chief Commissioner of Myanmar Scouts, Dr. Tin Nyo.  Devraj Ghimire, Chairman of the APR Programme Sub-Committee was also present during the ceremony.

There were so many significant events which occurred both formally and informally during these five days of intense work that made this regional scout event so memorable.  These included the close working relationship that was created between the local team and the professional team from the WSB Asia Pacific Region and from WSB Global Office.  It was so apparent how well the team worked together as the detailed program evolved. The expert collaboration that was presented by Anas Alabbadi and the team from KAICIID and its links with the Peaceful Myanmar Initiatives (PMI) was also exemplary and added greatly to the dialogue and learnings that occurred and demonstrated the benefits of such specialized partnerships.  Six of the participants from across the Asia Pacific progressed the next level as certified facilitators, including our own Mori.  Additionally, Ruth Potts from the Scouts United Kingdom who also finished her training and now officially certified as a trainer in Dialogue for Peace.  

It was very pleasing to attend the Dialogue4Peace, Peace Music Concert on the first evening and to meet so many of the Heads of the major religions within Myanmar, who believe in the Principles of Dialogue.  Their support and sponsorship of this event was so encouraging.  It was a privilege to meet separately with them and to share ideas and the importance of one’s personal spiritual development within Scouting.  Many had been Cubs prior to the cessation of Scouting in 1963.

The program was very detailed, and the staff ensured that maximum benefits occurred from the diverse groups in attendance.  It was pleasing to see that ten teachers in training from different ethnic communities of Myanmar became so involved in the Scout training and contributed willingly to the discussions.  They all spoke with great passion and conviction about the importance of striving for and promoting peace.  The many different techniques used by the trainers ensured that many different adult learning styles were considered and that great outcomes could be achieved.  The participants benefited greatly from the training.

A special mention must be made of the great support received by the government, through the visits of support and also making available the great residential facilities at Gold Camp.  This venue made it very easy for the facilitators to deliver an exciting program, in a very easy manner. 

During the Closing Ceremony, Myanmar Scouts invited H.E. Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet, member of the Union Peace Commission, to give an inspiring talk to the young participants on the importance of Dialogue and how Peace can be achieved through Dialogue.  The final address by H.E. Prof Dr Aung Tun Thet was a very fitting tribute to the closure of the workshop.  His presentation reinforced many of the points that were outlined during the course and confirmed the universal nature of the dialogue training.  His commitment in travelling to the site to meet with the participants and deliver the address was very much appreciated.  This was evident through the discussions that occurred following his presentation.

Prior to the 4-day workshop, a two-day training for the Facilitators was held on 20-21 July 2018 for the Facilitators and a few selected participants who have previously attended a Dialogue for Peace training/workshop. Together with Ms. Cynthia Marquez, Mrs. Ruth Potts, Mr. Tan Sijie and Mr. Syd Castillo, these young and future Facilitators from Bangladesh (Badhon Humayra Ibnat), Hong Kong (Mori Cheng), India (Sarathraj Elangovan), Korea (Lim Jae Yeon), Myanmar (Phyo Thura Win) and Thailand (Issaree Adisornphankul) helped in facilitating the workshop.

Mr. Anas Alabbadi, Chief of Global Practices Hub, KAICIID and Ms. Katerina Khareyn, KAICIID Programme Manager, supported and oversaw the training/workshop. KAICIID fellow, Ms. Nang Loung Hom, was also invited to support the workshop.

Chief Commissioner Dr Tin Nyo and his team were gracious hosts, and all are working so hard to place Scouting on a firm footing with the communities and government.  We hope all will get the opportunity to work with our Scouting friends in Myanmar as we build upon this work to extend Scouting to many more young people in Myanmar and other countries in the Asia Pacific Scout Region.

Started Ended
Number of participants
50
Service hours
1600
Location
Philippines
Topics
Legacy BWF
Partnerships
Youth Programme

Share via

Share