Africa National Mind and Heart Training Nov to Dec 2022
In November and December 2021, over 80 Inter-Religious Council (IRC) and Faith-Based Organization (FBO) nominees from eight countries (Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Zambia) were trained as national Mind-Heart Dialogue teams and equipped to support the Faith and Positive Change for Children (FPCC) initiative in their country. Facilitators were from diverse faiths and included male faith leaders, women of faith and youth. Their role will be to support their IRC to set up an Multi-Faith Advisory Committee on Children that brings faith leaders, FBOs and UNICEF together to find shared priorities and partner to support positive change for children. They will integrate Mind-Heart Dialogue into its internal structures and mechanisms; as well as being deployed to facilitate for diverse groups around the Committee’s priorities.
“[Mind-Heart Dialogue] empowers people to be very creative in influencing positive change and creates space for collaboration and transformation in areas where there are deep-rooted beliefs.” Participant from Malawi
“After going through the training, my commitment to children has taken a different angle where I see myself as a protector of children. It has left me thinking of how best I can do this to make the children live full potential lives.” Participant from Sierra Leone
Training Approach, Scope and Outcomes
The eight countries were selected based on previous engagement with FPCC and a working relationship between the UNICEF Country Office and the Interreligious Councils (IRC) in : Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Sierra Leone. Participants included eight IRC and two FBO nominees who, after the training, became the initial national Mind-Heart Dialogue team. Each interfaith team included male faith leaders, women of faith and youth. These teams were equipped to use the Facilitators Guide to:
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Train others to facilitate Mind-Heart dialogue for social and behavioral change;
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Facilitate a WorkRock for the MFACC, combining Mind-Heart dialogue activities with action planning to enable faith actors and partners to work together effectively;
Facilitate Mind-Heart dialogue sessions with diverse groups according to MFACC priorities, integrating technical guidance into Mind-Heart Dialogue activities.