Opening session.

• Author: Nyamweya, Pauline
• Position: ADVOCACY TRAINING MANUAL: SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS

Objectives

By the end of the session, the facilitator will have:

* officially welcomed all participants, and introduced any guests, and trainers;

* allowed participants to introduced themselves;

* described the purpose of the workshop;

* set the agenda through an opening or keynote address;

* together with the participants, created a set of "ground rules" by which the group agree to work throughout the training;

* explored the participants' expectations.

Time

30 minutes

Materials

* Copies of the workshop programme. An example is provided as Appendix A, and changes should be made to adapt it to current training;

* A flipchart showing the daily programme (optional);

Advance preparation

* Any guest speakers should be thoroughly briefed in advance, to explain the purpose of the training and to be clear about the length and subject desired for their opening remarks.

* Prepare and photocopy the training agenda for all guests and participants. It is also helpful to have the daily agenda written up on a flipchart and posted on the wall throughout the day. It might be preferable to leave out the precise times for the activities, so the trainers can have flexibility, as needed.

Key Ideas to Convey

* The overall purpose of this training is to prepare participants to effectively advocate for SRHR services.

* Everyone in this training comes with experience that is valuable to the process. The workshop is therefore an interactive process during which everyone, including the trainers, will learn from each other.

Training Steps

1. A representative of the "host" organization formally opens the training by welcoming the participants, explaining the purpose of the training, and introducing the trainers.

2. After this, the representative should go around the room and have each participant briefly state his or her name, and one thing (emphasize and stick to the request for one thing only) he or she hopes to gain from participating in this training. Record these ideas on a flipchart and post it. (You may refer back to the list during the last day's closing session.)

3. One trainer will provide an overview of the training by reviewing the goals and overall objectives for the workshop. The trainers can then distribute the agenda for Day 1 and go through it with the participants. Respond to any questions about the day or about the two-day programme.

4. A trainer can explain why ground rules are set up:

   * to create a safe learning...