INTRAC Open Training Programme 2002-2003

Three-Day Non-Residential Courses in London, UK

POWER & PARTNERSHIPS
Dec 10 – 12 2002
Partnerships between NGOs based in the ‘North’ and the ‘South’ have become a key part of international development processes. Whilst NGOs are drawn to the concept of partnership as an expression of solidarity that goes beyond financial aid, in practice the power relations of donor-recipient often skew this potential.

· Different models and typologies of partnership
· Partnerships in practice: findings from INTRAC's research
· Contrasting approaches to partnerships at organisational level
· Where does your organisation fit?
· Managing individual partnerships (including case study examples)
· Towards good practice

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ADVOCACY
January 29 – 31 2003
Advocacy is an important part of development programming, and NGOs in the South and East are increasingly looking to develop their advocacy strategies and capacity.

· Understanding the context for advocacy in the South and in transitional countries
· Defining core advocacy skills and approaches
· Integration of advocacy into programmes
· Advocacy support and capacity building
· The roles for Northern NGOs in advocacy, and relationships with partners

This course is designed for the staff of Northern NGOs working in programme management and support (desk or field) and in policy departments.

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
February 24 – 26 2003
There are many programmes that purport to support civil society, but it is less clear whether they actually do so. Drawing on our recent International Conference on this theme, this course will:

· Review the link between theoretical approaches to civil society and their practical programme outcomes;
· Review models of civil society strengthening;
· Explore the nature of capacity building in the context of civil society;
· Reflect upon the challenges of monitoring and evaluating such work.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: How do we know we are making a difference?
March 24 – 26 2003
NGOs and other civil society groups are now accepted by governments and official agencies, as significant contributors to the development process. But, as the profile of NGOs has increased, so too has the need for them to assess the long-term impact of their work. This course will explore the current state of the debate about impact assessment and review current practice and methodologies.

· What do we mean by impact?
· Methodological issues in measuring social change
· Alternative models for impact assessment
· The role of baseline studies
· Using qualitative data
· Case studies

Five-Day Residential Courses in Oxford, UK

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT
9 – 13 Dec 2002
This course aims to develop and improve the management capabilities of NGO staff and development workers. Such staff have considerable technical skills and extensive experience of working on a range of projects with local partners, yet often lack the necessary management skills to handle difficult organisational problems or facilitate effective change. The course will not only help participants improve their management capabilities, but will also help them gain an awareness of the impact of their management style, develop greater insight into their leadership role, and increase their confidence in being able to facilitate organisational change.

· Current management thinking and strategic trends
· Management and capacity building
· Managing effective change
· Cross cultural management
· Development leaders and leadership
· Managing people and teams
· Identifying and strengthening personal management competencies

MANAGING A PARTICIPATIVE MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROCESS
13 – 17 Jan 2003
Donors’ demands for greater accountability, together with our own need to learn from and build on our own experiences have led to rapid developments within the field of monitoring and evaluation. Participatory methods are growing in importance as the development community recognises the necessity for involving all stakeholders in the process of development, in order that learning takes place which can contribute to sustainable development processes. At the same time, there has been the realisation that the more traditional monitoring and evaluation methods, based on linear, cause effect interpretations of social development, are limited and need to be enriched by contributions of other perceptions and realities. This course will examine:

· The purposes of monitoring and evaluation
· Stakeholder perspectives and an overview of participatory methods
· Monitoring and evaluation of outcomes and impact at project, programme and organisational level
· Managing the process
· Ensuring institutional learning

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10 – 14 Feb 2003
A current concern and priority for managers and senior practitioners in the NGO sector is how to build the capacity of their organisations and that of their partner organisations. This course builds on the introductory course (An Organisational Development Approach to Capacity Building) and is designed for people engaged in capacity building programmes with some experience of OD, and who wish to explore issues around different types of intervention.

· The process of OD
· Organisational assessment tools
· The nature of developing relationships
· Pragmatic approaches – short sharp interventions or longer-term processes?
· Individual responses to change and how to plan for these
· Monitoring and evaluation of OD work
· Formation of local practitioners

To apply please contact Rebecca Blackshaw at [email][email protected] [2]
Postal address: PO Box 563, Oxford, OX2 6RZ, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 1865 201 851
Fax: + 44 (0) 1865 201 852
Website: www.intrac.org [3]