Awareness Sessions & Workshops

During December, the youth had attended different awareness sessions and training workshops; noting that all of them took part in the awareness sessions, but they were divided for the training workshops.

Awareness Sessions:

Citizenship Sessions
First Session: Date: Thursday the 6th of December 2012 / Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Second Session: Date: Tuesday the 18th of December 2012 / Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: CitiAct Office
Trainer: Rana Bechara (Director of CitiAct)
During the sessions, the trainer prepared a powerpoint presentation on citizenship, noting that it was an interactive session enclosing questions, answers and open discussions. The trainer had illustrated to the youth how what they are doing with CitiAct is part of citizenship values.

Non-Confessional Cooperation Sessions
First Session: Date: Sunday the 9th of December 2012 / Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Second Session: Date: Sunday the 23rd of December 2012 / Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Lebanese Association for Civil Rights Office in Gemayzeh
Trainer: Dr. Ogarit Younan (Pioneer in Training on Non-Sectarianism – Writer of the Manual on Training on Non-Sectarianism)
Assistant Trainers: Hala Abou Ali & Tony Daoud (Trainers on Non-Sectarianism and Non-Violence)
The sessions on non-confessional cooperation were divided into 2 full days due to the timing and the necessity to have 1 fruitful full day; and accordingly the youth were divided between these 2 days.
The sessions tackled sectarianism within oneself, in our unconscious and how it affects our behavior; mainly there were 3 parts in the program: tolerance, the other and the danger of sectarianism. The youth interacted during the sessions since they are under the umbrella of a sensitive matter that touches every aspect of Lebanese life. The session was an interactive one enclosing exercises.
As a follow up to these sessions, and since the youth are in deep need to such sessions on non-sectarianism and non-confessional awareness, we decided to continue such training and try to organize a training weekend on non-sectarianism during February, and we will be contacting Dr. Younan to carry it. 

Conflict Mitigation Sessions
First Session: Date: Thursday the 20th of December 2012 / Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Second Session: Date: Wednesday the 26th of December 2012 / Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: CitiAct Office
Trainer: Tanya Awad Ghorra (Local & International Trainer on Non-violent Communication and Conflict Resolution)
This session was a very interactive session, in which the youth interacted with the trainer and the matters discussed. The main focus of the session was the non-violent communication and the “empathy,” hence, how we put ourselves in others’ place when we are in conflict.

Training Workshops:
 
Filming and Editing Techniques Workshop
Date: Sunday the 2nd of December 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: CitiAct Office
Trainer: Tony Daoud
The training workshop enclosed direct and practical exercises on filming and editing techniques; in which the youth brought their laptops and the trainer download the editing program on their laptops; he introduced the program and its main tools. Then the youth used the rushes of the first flashmob carried to edit it with the guidance of the trainer.

Needs Assessment Workshop
Date: Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th of December 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: CitiAct Office
Trainer: Nizar Rammel
This training workshop was divided into 2 sessions on 2 consecutive dates, in which the trainer presented on the first day the needs assessment tools and ended the day by giving the youth a practical exercise to prepare for the next day; in which the youth were divided into groups based on the areas that they live in and they had to define the needs of their areas/streets. In the second day, the groups presented their work and the trainer evaluated it giving them advices.

Social Media Workshop
Date: Sunday the 16th of December 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: CitiAct Office
Trainer: Salim Al-Lawzi
This day was an interactive day, in which the trainer presented the main tools of social media and how we can benefit from them in our work. Then the youth were divided into 2 groups: a group pro-presidency candidate and a group against this candidate; the 2 groups had to carry a social media campaign in favor to their positions.