World Learning Positive Outcome Story: Civic Education Programs Enhancing Social Inclusion in Challenging Contexts
One of World Learning’s programs is being implemented in a country which is currently experiencing a military coup which is paired with increasing fragmentation along ethnic and religious lines, and intensifying internal conflicts. In this challenging context, it is especially critical to provide support to civic leaders to utilize resources, build networks, and safely advocate for their rights as they continue to fight to establish a functioning and inclusive democracy in the country.
World Learning successfully empowered participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for social inclusion and inclusive civic engagement as an avenue to overcome the deepening religious and ethnic divides across the country. 60 participants were engaged across two new inclusion-focused courses, designed to support civil society actors to grew into more considerate community leaders who actively practice and promote social inclusion and will play a major role in creating a more equitable and inclusive society. These courses leveraged World Learning’s Transforming Agency, Access, and Power (TAAP) toolkit, which engages development practitioners, organizations, and policymakers to amplify the voices, opportunities, and dignity of all people. The use of the TAAP Toolkit facilitated a structured approach to inclusive project design, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to foster equitable development in their respective communities. The courses provided foundational knowledge and practical skills to promote gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion in their work and communities. Throughout the courses, participants engaged in personal reflection and open discussions, enhancing their ability to act as bridges between disadvantaged communities and organizations and authorities. The program’s focus on practical application, combined with effective support and collaboration, has positioned participants to make significant contributions towards a more inclusive and democratic future.
- Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: Participants represented diverse organizations from across the country, and exhibited marked improvement in their ability to analyze social inclusion and plan inclusive actions. The practical tools and case studies used in the course helped participants apply these concepts in their civic engagement activities, promoting more inclusive and equitable communities. The courses empowered participants to assess their own organizations with an inclusive lens, and design and implement inclusive civic engagement plans, addressing pressing social issues through a comprehensive approach involving problem identification, analysis, action, and monitoring.
- Improved Civic Engagement and Advocacy: Both courses enhanced participants’ abilities to advocate for marginalized groups and engage in effective communication. By understanding power dynamics, social justice, and human rights, participants were better equipped to foster inclusive environments and advocate for policy changes. The program also facilitated effective networking and partnership-building among participants, which is crucial for fostering collaborative efforts towards social inclusion.
- Community Leadership: Participants demonstrated a strong commitment to applying the knowledge and skills acquired from the course in their communities, showing passion and dedication to promoting social inclusion. The final action plans showcased the participants’ ability to incorporate inclusive design in their projects, highlighting their improved competencies in addressing the needs of diverse community members. The action plans developed by course participants tackled critical issues such as personal hygiene for street children, workplace security for women, access to basic services for IDPs, and discrimination in education. These plans not only provided immediate solutions but also set the stage for long-term social change.
Quotes from Alumni:
“The Inclusive Civic Engagement course equipped me with valuable inclusive practices for civic engagement activities, which I can apply back in my civil society activities. I also learned a lot from my fellow participants who come from very diverse backgrounds of ethnicity, gender, religion, and thematic work areas. The trainers were very knowledgeable and skillful in inclusion and civic engagement principles, and they were very patient, supportive and excellent in facilitation and methodologies. I also love the support that I gained from the program team.” – A woman leader from a CSO on environmental conservation, from Inclusive Civic Engagement course
“Due to the civil war happening around me, I encountered difficulties in participating in this online Foundations for Gender Equality, Diversity and Social Inclusion course. However, the trainers and my fellow participants as well as the program team supported me to be able to participate until the end without being excluded, and I was very thankful. I was very happy to learn equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices from this course and I feel very confident to apply what I learned in my community works.” – A woman leader from a CSO on women empowerment, from Foundations for Gender Equality, Diversity and Social Inclusion course