Training manual for "Making a difference to policies and programs : a guide for researchers"

The training workshop is divided into seven sessions: The introductory session helps the facilitator create a learning atmosphere where ideas can be exchanged among participants. Session II outlines the context of the workshop and prepares the participants intellectually and physically to do the work. Sessions III-V focus on identifying and involving key actors in different stages of the research. During these sessions, participants identify the people to be involved in each stage of the research, define their roles and tasks, and devise strategies or methods for ensuring their full participation. Session VI demonstrates how the research results should be disseminated so as to maximize the likelihood of their use; facilitators are urged to devote ample time to this stage. The last session provides participants an opportunity to decide on follow-up activities to the workshop. The guide advocates teamwork, in particular the use of Visualization in Participatory Programs (VIPP), a method that helps groups visualize collective ideas by writing them down on cards and papers of different sizes and colors and placing them on pinboards or walls in the training room. (Author abstract, modified)