Inception Report - CDEMA

Preparedness Center (APDC) developed a Participant’s Workbook 10 on ‘Community-based
Disaster Risk Management for Local Authorities’ which has an extensive module on ‘Monitoring
and Evaluation’ (M&E). M&E can be a costly exercise, and has likely been given little attention
after the intended immediate project outcomes have been achieved for this reason. However,
unless community disaster risk reduction efforts are sustainable, damage and loss will continue.
3.2 Good practice in DRR Climate Change Training and Capacity Building
Based on the review of selected community-based disaster management and climate change
materials (tool kits, training manuals and videos) listed in Appendix 2, as well as CANARI’s own
experience in delivering training and capacity-building workshops, the following elements of
good practice in training and pedagogy have been identified as methods and practices that will
be used to inform the development of the CDEMA climate change module.
a) Use of a range of teaching/training methodologies
Each person learns in a different way, and using a range of training methods in a workshop
setting accommodates this. Additionally, the use of a various methodologies breaks up the
monotony of a training course and engages participants in different ways (see, for example,
Concern Universal 11 ; and Coburn et al./UN Disaster Management Training Programme). Each
methodology used has its particular strength and utility in a workshop setting.
Icebreakers and energisers encourage rapid relationship building and stimulate
participants at points in the workshop where their energy has dropped.
Lectures, presentations and background reading are useful for conveying knowledge.
Whole group discussions allow for the development of a common understanding of
certain topics and identify areas where there may be conflict within the group or
community.Small group discussions stimulate greater participation from people who are
not confident contributing to large group discussions;
Questioning techniques promote participant engagement and help to identify participants
relevant prior knowledge and experience.
Brainstorming allows participants to generate several ideas about an issue in a short
space of time without others criticising them.
Small group work and practical exercises involve participants as actors and allow them
to apply information and knowledge gained to their own situation for problem solving.
b) Use of Participatory Learning Action (PLA) Tools
Participatory learning and action (PLA) tools are particularly useful for community level
engagement because they allow not only for information and idea generation but also create
space within a training setting for analysis and learning by local people. PLA tools build
participation and support communication and conflict resolution, all of which have usefulness
outside the workshop setting.
Several disaster preparedness manuals incorporate the use of PLA tools (see material by
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; WWF; Daze et al./CARE
International; Abarquez, et al./Asian Disaster Preparedness Center; Bread for All;
for example).
10 Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, 2006. Participant’s Workbook: Community-based Disaster Risk Management
for Local Authorities.
11 All materials referenced here are listed in more detail in Appendix 2
52