[afro-nets] Course in Participatory Approaches

[Claudio Schuftan <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

Course in Participatory Approaches
----------------------------------

Please find here below information on the International Course
in Participatory Approaches 'TOOLS FOR FACILITATORS', offered by
Mbarara University, Uganda in collaboration with Lund Univer-
sity, Sweden. This course is offered annually since 2002 at
Mbarara University.

The course for this year will be held from 28th August 2005 to
23rd September 2005.

Further info can be obtained from:

Nyakato Viola
Course Secretary
Department of Community Health
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
mailto:vnyakato@yahoo.co.uk

The philosophy behind the course is based on Paolo Freire's
views on empowerment, and the course can be recommended to any-
one working with local communities (and to others as well).

Dr. Anders Jeppsson
Senior Health Adviser
Health Sector Programme Support
P O Box 9171
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
mailto:anders@hspstz.org



EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES: TOOLS FOR FACILITATORS

AN INTERNATIONAL COURSE IN PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES

OFFERED BY
MBARARA UNIVERSITY (UGANDA)

IN COLLABORATION WITH LUND UNIVERSITY (SWEDEN)



Background

Many countries in Africa emphasize community empowerment as a
central pillar in their development policies. However translat-
ing policy into action has been a challenge. Present conven-
tional principles regarding development have been found to be
inadequate, misleading and inappropriate when applied to health,
social and economic development programmes.

Although there are many people in the region who have attended
training courses in participatory methodologies, there is still
an expressed need for in-depth training.

To meet this need, the Department of Community Health, Mbarara
University of Science and Technology (Uganda) in collaboration
with Department of Community Medicine Lund University (Sweden),
offers an International Course that explores in depth three di-
mensions of empowerment: participation, critical consciousness
and transformation at an intra-personal, interpersonal, group
and community level, adopting Paulo Freire's work to a changing
world.



OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

By the end of this course participants:

* will have an overview of the philosophy and theory of the psy-
cho-social method;

* will have their current values and beliefs challenged;

* will be able to facilitate learning events that deal with real
problems identified by groups or communities;

* will be able to use the psycho-social method to assist groups
and communities to carry out their own projects.


THE CONTENT

· Group dynamics and team building
· Social analysis and approaches to development
   Personal transformation
· Culture, gender and human rights
· Participatory methodologies, in particular the theory and
   practice of the psycho-social method and facilitation

PARTICIPANTS

The course addresses the training needs of persons interested in
transformation of self and society, using the psycho-social
method as a tool of empowerment.

DATES AND VENUE

Basic course for 2005 will be held from 28th August 2005 to 23rd
September 2005. Extension course of two weeks duration for those
who have already attended the basic courses will be held from
2nd October to 16th October 2005. All courses are held at
Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

COST OF THE COURSE

US Dollars 2,000 per participant, which covers tuition, course
material, field work and full board accommodation in a shared
double room.

CERTIFICATE

Participants who attend 80% of the course sessions will be
awarded a Certificate by Mbarara University of Science and Tech-
nology and University of Lund.



APPLICATION FORM
----------------


Names of the applicant:



Contact Address:



Designation:



Professional qualifications:



Experience in community work:



Contacts for further information:



Course Coordinator:

Gad Ruzaaza
Tel: +256-77-621302
mailto:gadruzaaza@yahoo.co.uk

Course Secretary:
Nyakato Viola Nilah
Tel: +256-77-982535
mailto:vnyakato@yahoo.co.uk

Department of Community Health
Mbarara University of Science and
Technology.
P.o.Box 1410,
Mbarara, Uganda.

University of Lund
Department of Community Medicine

Contact Persons:
Anette Agardh
Tel: +46-708-337735
mailto:anette.agardh@smi.mas.lus.se

Dr. Bobby Hultberg
Tel. +46-325-661002
mailto:bobby.hultberg@usa.net