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Report
Soft Skills Training: Waste management, active citizens, communication, and online digital
literacy
Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University (CPJ) YCC-COMPASS (US Forest Service)
Introduction
The Capacity Building Unit of the Centre for Peace and Justice, Brac University conducted a 4-day training for YCC 4th cohort trainees on active citizens, communication, and online digital literacy from the 15th till 19th June at Inani, Cox’s Bazar. In line with YCC’s aim to strengthen the capacity of youth to improve their livelihoods, this training was designed to develop their skills to become better leaders in their communities.
1 YCC Trainees with CPJ facilitators
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The 4 training days were divided thematically in 4 modules and conducted by CPJ facilitators with specific expertise in these trainings.
Module 1: Waste Management
The training was conducted by Rashadul Hasan, Lead- Refugee Studies Unit, CPJ, BRAC University on 15th June 2023. The topics covered ranged from basics of waste management, designing a waste management campaign and entrepreneurship in waste management. Trainees learnt how to manage household waste, segregate organic and inorganic material, methods of composting. They also learnt how to use this knowledge to plan a waste management campaign in their communities. Additionally, the entrepreneurial side of waste management – what a waste management business can look like and other opportunities, were also explored.
2 YCC trainees with facilitator after waste segregation activity
Major Outcomes
After the completion of this training the trainees
• have basic understanding about the waste and household solid waste management.
• have knowhow of composting at home with household organic waste.
• are able to generate ideas about campaign on social issues and how to design a community-based waste management campaign.
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• learned about waste management businesses.
• can explore ideas business development process related to waste management from planning to financing.
3 Group work, segregation of organic and inorganic waste
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4 Group work: Designing a campaign on community-based waste management
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5 Campaign plan on poster prepared trough group work
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Module 2: Active Citizens
The need for active citizens to face the challenges of the future cannot be denied. Through active citizens training, we can encourage young people to come together and mobilize for social action to address local and global issues. Thus, YCC’s aim to build environmental stewardship, active citizenship training is most necessary.
6 Participants drawing their identity flowers
This module covered topics in identity, pluralism, stereotyping and prejudice, citizenship and civic duties, nation and nationalism, and governance. Trainees were asked to self-reflect and understand their values and role as citizens in making the country a better place for everyone. Participants were very eager and able to use what they learnt in previous trainings with YCC and relate to the newer contents.
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7 Trainees choosing their community values
Major Outcomes
After this training the trainees
• able to assess their self-awareness and self-reflection.
• understand diversity and can better empathise with people different than themselves.
• learn the concepts of stereotyping and prejudice and can recognise and address in their regular lives
• are able to identify discrimination in various contexts and take steps to combat it.
• learn the concepts of citizenship, nation and nationalism, and civic duties.
• apply the concepts of citizenship and assess the relationship between citizen and state and how can they be a positively contributing member of society.
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Module 3: Communication
In this module, topics such as what is communication, basic skills of a good communicator, merits of effective communication, communication for leadership, conflict resolution techniques and for effective team building was explored. Communication skills are the most important skill set necessary for the future of all work in the coming years. Through various activities – role plays, drama, games - the participants were able to practically learn about the importance of gaining good communication skills and how to best apply it in their work and personal lives.
8 Trainees planned and acted out drama about conflict resolution
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9 Trainees role playing being good communicators
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10 Trainees practicing their visual communication skills
Major Outcomes
After completion of this module, trainees
• have improved communication skills.
• are more aware of effective communication techniques and how to upskill themselves.
• can instil behavioural change through using better communication.
• know the importance of communication as a leadership skill and can incorporate in their leadership style.
• learn what is conflict and different conflict resolution strategies to manage teams and group work.
• are able to develop their negotiation and persuasion skills to become good communicators.
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Module 4: Online Digital Literacy
The last module covered topics to help the young trainees navigate the online space. It is imperative that young people understand the importance of being safe and having a positive existence online. The training begins with the explaining the concepts of misinformation and rumors and how to parse what is true and what is false and potentially harmful. Trainees were also taught the impact of hate speech and how to address. Participants through an exercise created positive content. Lastly, they were introduced to the project cycle, brainstorming techniques like mind mapping and how to plan a project, with learning about strategies of social media optimization. Trainees were eager and able to grasp the concepts and produced brilliant community projects in groups.
11 Team Exercise - survival scenario
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12 Group work: Community project
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13 Trainees presenting their online positive content
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14 Trainees presenting how they can be safe online
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Major Outcomes
After completion of this module, trainees
• are able to identify misinformation and rumours that are spread on the internet.
• can recognise hate speech and are able to address it safely and effectively as to not cause any harm.
• develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• learn and can apply brainstorming techniques to generate new ideas.
• learn the steps of a project cycle and are able to develop a project plan.
Recommendations
The 4 days of training were extremely fruitful. With constant support from YCC staff and the positive attitude of the trainees CPJ facilitators faced no issues in conducting the sessions. The trainees especially were almost all very bright and eager to learn, which made our job that much easier.
Some overall recommendations from CPJ are provided below, so that we can ensure an even better learning environment for the trainees.
• We have found that emphasizing more experiential training works best for a cohort of this age group.
Incorporating more such training would benefit trainees greatly.
• To further enhance future training sessions, it would be better to make preparations way before the training dates. This includes preparing training materials and logistics prior to the training, ensuring that everything is in place and ready to go. This proactive approach will help streamline the training process and minimize any potential disruptions or delays.
• Additionally, it is important to address the issue of regular load shedding. To ensure uninterrupted training sessions, it is recommended to have generator support available for the entire duration of the training. This will ensure that power outages do not hinder the learning experience and participants can fully engage in the sessions without any interruptions. Though fans were made available for a room of that size and more than 40 occupants, it was extremely uncomfortable and difficult to keep trainees attentive in the extreme heat.
We believe that our commitment to delivering sessions that are adaptive, flexible and focuses more on practice than theory have been quite successful in engaging the trainees and added to YCC’s existing training plans for the future development of this cohort.
