General News

Announcement for Regional Training in MENA on Governance ,Disability and Public Policy

Handicap International, the Arab Organization of Disabled People

and the European Disability Forum

Announce a Regional Training on

GOVERNANCE, DISABILITY AND PUBLIC

POLICY, Amman, Jordan

June 28th - July 24th 2009

Funded by the European Commission, HI, CBM, the French Ministry of Foreign Aairs[/h2]

Introduction

Handicap International (HI), the Arab Organization of Disabled People (AODP), the European Disability Forum (EDF), CBM, and many other partners are launching several initiatives in the Middle East supporting the disability activists and service providers. These initiatives aim to support stakeholders to advocate for the development and implementation of policies that ensure a greater access of persons with disabilities to social services.

One of the main activities for this year is the training of 25 trainers/experts composed of persons with Disabilities, Service providers and Public Authorities. The core of the training should allow participants to develop โthe global pictureโ in which policies affecting persons with disabilities are defined and developed. Also key issues related to governance and democratization in general and with regards to Middle East will be explored. Participants will also gain some skills with regards to policy analysis including budgeting and service delivery mechanisms.

Objectives of the training

By the end of the training, participants are expected to develop skills and knowledge in the following fields:

Governance and democratisation issues
Public policy making analysis, with an emphasis on social policy
Concepts underlying disability policy especially with regards to anti-discrimination, health, employment, education and social protection and contextualise those elements in the Middle East
Access of persons with disabilities to social services
Training and advocacy skills allowing them to disseminate knowledge

[h3]Training components:[/h3]

4 weeks in-class training module (including 1 group work assignment and 1 policy paper proposal)
2 months distance learning module (including a 7 000 word policy paper)
Study visit to Europe for a selected number of trainers based on thematic representation and performance
1 week in-class module on national level training design
1 year practice with coaching and monitoring

[h3]Training content[/h3]

Governance and political regime
Introduction to social policy
Policy process and politics of reform
Disability policy issues
Policy in practice โensuring access of persons with disabilities to social servicesโ
Training, networking and Advocacy skills

[h3]Evaluation[/h3]

A group assignment in which they will be one of the policy making stakeholders and will have to build arguments and formulate proposition
An individual assignment on a policy paper proposal in the area of access to social services. Proposal will be validated by the end of July course and they will have 10 weeks to complete it with the supervision of trainers

The participants will also have a practical assignment:

Training national facilitators and support them to implement training at community/local level.

Professional Certification

Upon completion of the training in November 2009, participants will receive a statement confirming completion of the theoretical part of the training, and their marks on the written essays.

The Trainers certificate for the overall course will be provided upon the completion of their practical assignment

Participants

Target Region

Middle East

Eligible countries

Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq

Target group

The training will target participants who are disability activists from regional or national DPOs (60% of the group), Service Providers (20%) and Public Administrations (20%)

Program Structure

Date and Place.

The training sessions will be held in Amman between the June 28th and July 24th 2009 and the last session in November 09.

Application process

Closing date for application is

20th of April, 2009.

Applications submitted after closing date will not be considered. Applications should be submitted on the special form attached and must be accompanied by the required information and documents.

Selected applicants will be notified by e-mail, fax or other accessible means of communication. Once accepted, the applicant must confirm participation.

Insurance

All participants are covered by a group insurance while in Amman and this insurance includes costs for medical care in the event of acute illness or accident.

Cost of Participation

The participation fee, accommodation cost, lunches/coffee breaks and travel expenses are fully covered for successful candidates. Personal expenses are not included.[h3]Requirements [/h3]

English and sign language will be the working language in most of the lectures; applicants must have at least a moderate ability to communicate in English or sign language. However, simultaneous translation to Arabic will be offered during lectures and workgroups.
Computer skills and access to a computer with internet connection in the home country is compulsory.

Persons who require assistance due to their disability will be able to bring a guide, a sign language interpreter or an assistant at our expense. Any such requirement should be mentioned in the application.

Selection criteria

In the final selection, HI, AODP and EDF will strive to choosethe participants with the strongest potentials for stakeholders mobilization and advocacy for policy change and will ensure balance at the level of geographical regions, age, and disability diversity, and gender.

For further queries or further information

Email:regionaltraining@hi-me.org

fax +962 (0)6 462 8 514

Addressed to:

Regional project coordinator