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Workshop Report

THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

1. Objectives of Regional Level Leadership Formation

The workshop examined the objectives of the regional level leadership formation from the perspective of:

a) the leadership requirements of the national movements of the Asia/Pacific region as well as

b) the requirements of the region as a collective whole.

The requirements of the national movements were understood in accordance with their main expectations as expressed in the reports of the national representatives working group. These are:

a) personal development of participants, enhance participants' understanding of her/his role in society

b) improve understanding of SCM's vision and mission

c) challenge (train) participants to be involved in SCM movement building

d) share experiences internationally (Asia/Pacific)

e) build networks

The workshop decided that to the above expectations at the national level must be added the expectations derived from the regional perspective. The regional expectations, as obtained from the various strategies and decisions adopted by the WSCF Asia/Pacific leadership in recent years are as follows:

a) build regional and inter-regional leadership – staff, office bearers, committee members and resource personnel

b) motivate involvement in ecumenical institutions

c) build women leadership

d) build student leadership

e) encourage feminist perspectives in leadership

f) deepen understanding of regional and global politics and trends

g) build regional SCM community and collective responsibility

h) explore ideological and theological frontiers

"The workshop decided that the HRD program should be designed (revamped, if necessary) to build leadership to meet the National and Regional criteria outlined above.

Noting several other leadership-building requirements of the national movansnts (expressed in the expectations set out in the report of the National Representatives), the workshop felt that these could not be met by the HRD but should instead, be catered to by other specialized programs. These requirements are skills pertaining to basic leadership know-how and to movement-building such as methods for structural analysis, communication skills and organizational techniques (e.g. group animation).

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To meet these requirements, the workshop proposes that the regional office facilitates:

* special inter-movement support projects in which a neighboring strong SCM could help build another SCM

* the use of sub-regional workshops for the purpose of skills training as mentioned above.

2. Social dynamics in the HRD program

The workshop notes that the objectives of the HRD program can only be achieved by ensuring the maximum participation of all participants throughout the entire program. This requires interpersonal relationship mechanisms which the HRD programs have lacked so far.

For this purpose, the workshop proposes the following social dynamics which should be in operation throughout the HRD program enabling mutual support amongst participants and higher levels of participation:

a) Cell Groups – All participants are divided into a number of cell groups which would meet in the morning every three days (replacing morning worship on those days). The combination of these cell groups would be changed weekly to enable the greater mixing of participants. In these cells, the participants would be able to share their feelings and reflections with each other and help develop mutual support.

b) Weekly plenaries for evaluation – Cell groups could bring their opinions to bear in the HRD activities through these plenaries. The cell groups could also inform the steering committee of their suggestions.

c) Sub-Regional groups – These groups should meet once a week for inter-personal support and to develop sub-regional concerns and networks for the future.

3. Standard Format of HRD

3.1 Orientation

a) 'ice-breaking' dynamics e.g. games

b) briefing on programs and logistics

3.2 Exposure and host country input

Process

a) Briefing on the background information on exposure

b) Exposure

– should be related to HRD's theme

– should include exposure to women issues

– should be 'live-in' and coordinated with local activists or community workers or groups

– participants could be divided into groups to have different exposure areas (e.g. rural and industrial areas) or same exposure

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area. These possibilities depends on the host committee situation and the theme.

c.) Host Committee Input

– overall analysis of the social, political, economic and religio-cultural situation of the host country by local resource persons (whenever possible, women resource persons to be invited)

– theological reflection on the host country situation by local theologians

– input on women issues in host country

3.3 Geo-political issues and theme input

a) Content and Purpose - The purpose of these inputs is to inform the participants of issues relating to the theme and to develop an analysis of the geo-political issues of the Asia/Pacific Region, specific emphasis should be given to:

– women's issues and concerns

– relate the inputs to SCM's theological understanding

– the inter-relationship of countries in the region

Also more attention needs to be taken of the Pacific sub-region.

b) Resource Persons - The choice of resource persons is important. Priority must be given to finding women resource person for all subject areas and not just for women's issues. These persons should be well briefed on the process and content of the inputs.

c) Process - The process of the inputs is important and must be guided towards the level of understanding that the participation will reach. Participants should be encouraged to use their skills of analysis, contribute from their experiences and national situations as wall as critically discuss/analyze the inputs. This should be supplemented by creative methods of presentation (eg. audio-visual aids, drama etc.)

It was proposed that before the HRD program, the Asia/Pacific office design a process for the inputs taking into account the above. The resource person would then be asked to fit their presentations to this design.

3.4 Bible Studies

Usually four sessions are alloted for Bible Studies and they focus on the theme of the HRD. Resource persons have mostly been man so far. The purposes of these sessions are:

– to ground the faith

– to facilitate theological development

– to relate faith to social sciences

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Recommendations/Suggestions

a) These sessions should not be exclusively Bible Studies but should include the use of contemporary theology, other faith perspectives, and Christian sources and traditions outside the Bible.

b) Encourage Bible Studies from a woman's perspective.

c) Studies must be related to the theme.

d) Participants skills and knowledge must be utilised (participatory)

e) Format for Bible Studies – two sessions of Bible Studies (preferably by women theologians); one session using Christian traditions/sources and the other session to be a faith dialogue with a progressive religious leader of the host country.

3.5 National Reports

The purpose of National Reports are:

a) to provide educational exercise in which participants are challenged to present their country's situation and people's struggles

b) to facilitate the widening of the participants' understanding to realities in other countries as wall as in the regional/global context.

c) to build a sense of the SCM community in the region

Through the preparation of these national reports, the participants gain skills/experience in research, social analysis and reflection.

Structure of National Reports

* National situation.

* Focus on HRD theme in relation to country

* Relate current SCM situation and response to national issues

Process for National Reports

Rather than the previous HRD method of each country report being presented in succession to the plenary, the process should be split into several levels of presentation.

* Level 1 – sharing of national reports in groups

Level 2 – composite report by groups to plenary

Level 3 – one special country report from each sub-region on HRD theme

Level 4 – General open plenary to enable questions and clarifications by participants on all country reports (after time given for circulation and study of all national reports)

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* The groups at level 1 could be organized (alternately) according to common issues, sub-regions or mixing across sub-regions by consensus. However, this requires a written report by each participant to be ready and sent out to the Regional Office prior to the program.

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3.6 Men & Women Caucuses

Refer to suggestions in workshop on Development of Women Leadership in the WSCF/SCM.

3.7 WSCF Inputs

The aim of this input is to introduce the work, role and self-understanding of the Federation.

The contents should cover:

a) WSCF's vision and history

b) Federation/Regional Structures and Programs

c) Ecumenical relationships – WCC, CCA, NCCs, YMCA, YWCA, IMCS etc.

3.8 Worship

Suggestions

a) to give inspiration to the participants, worship must be related to the theme.

b) Share/develop Asian liturgies and styles rather than use conventional Western models e.g. poems, songs/ sharing Asian realities.

c) Inputs should come from the participants particularly female members.

d) Develop our own theologies by sharing our collective national experiences and forming a common basis of our mission.

e) Identify participants with song-writing and composing abilities.

3.9 Workshops (A process of self-analysis)

Objectives

a) Allow participants the opportunity to reflect and respond to the theme. On a broader level, they should facilitate collective participation in order to build a sense of community.

b) Facilitates the formation and projection of ideas and strategies relevant to our own situation.

c) Facilitates networking, expression of solidarity with countries which come directly in focus with the theme.

d) Helps develop own perspectives, vision and theologies, and provide an opportunity to have a deeper grounding and understanding of social realities and social analysis.

e) Enables participants to work out concrete plans for their respective national movements as a follow-up to the theme.

We suggest that apart from the above, more time should be given to inter-personal exchanges as well.

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3.10 Evaluation

This begins as part of the social dynamics group by means of a weekly reporting session. At the end of the HRD, the participants will present a written evaluation. The questions should be given at the beginning of the program in order to allow participants to answer as they go along, i.e. evaluating each block immediately after the session.

The main purpose of this stage is to give immediate feedback to the host and steering committees.

After a period of 3 to 6 months, a further evaluation should be done by the participants. The questions should cover a reflection on the contents and process of the HRD attended, and on what has arisen as a result of attending the program.

National movements are encouraged to follow up with the participant and evaluate the usefulness of the program to them. However, it was decided not to make this a compulsory requirement as it may be beyond the resources of some movements. A copy of this evaluation should be sent to the Regional Office.

3.11 Translation

Communication has been a major problem in the HRD programs. We have the following suggestions:

a) follow the model set by the Taiwan Host Committee for HRD '88, i.e. simultaneous translation via headphones

b) invite SCM friends to help in translation for certain countries like Japan and Korea. In the case of Taiwan, Hong Kong and/or Singapore, SCM friends could be invited to help

c) arrange with the host committee to get local translators

d) emphasis on the distribution of printed materials

e) additional funds should be raised for translation facilities

f) participants who need translation could propose names of friends to the Regional Office to help out in translation.

4. Administration

4.1 The HRD process begins with the Regional and Standing Committees, which select/propose a theme and a host country. The host country is contacted and negotiation begins with respect to a venue, costs, resource personnel etc. Later, when details are finalized the relevant information is circulated to the national movements. In the period following, participants are selected, briefed, tickets and visa arranged etc.

4.2 Selection of Participants

a) The following criteria should be observed:

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(i) Balance of men and women

(ii) Priority given to students (preferably between 18-28 years of age with some exceptions to some countries) However, young full-time staff workers and student chaplains are accepted

(iii) Participation of minority groups

b) Methodology

(i) Each national movement is to send one name more than the required number of participants, in this way, the selection of participants will still be the perogative of the national movements but the Regional Office is given the leeway to make the necessary alterations based on the criteria above.

(ii) National movements should be encouraged to send a balance of male and female participants taking into account their past record in the previous HRDs. A four-year policy could be worked out showing equal representation of men and women.

c) Orientation

Each National Movement must take the responsibility to facilitate a careful process of orientation for their respective participant(s) before and after the HRD Program.

(i) Form a support group (including ex-participants)

(ii) Brief participant on new culture, travels, climate, food, expectations.

(iii) Ground participant on SCM vision and mission as well as national situation.

(iv) Equip participant with skills

(v) Follow-up with participant on the program after her/his return

d) Time/Duration

(i) One month is sufficient

(ii) Presently ranges from May to August/September

(iii) Priority should be given to host country

(iv) Difficulty of finding a common vacation time