1.The Program
From this year LEAD-Nigeria is extending the LEAD Associateship Program to other English speaking West African countries – Ghana, S/Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. The cohort training program is of one year duration.
From each country, 15-20 emerging leaders from different walks of life will be recruited for the training and will be trained for 20 days spread over a 12 month duration. The training program will focus on developing a sound knowledge base on the most pressing environmentally issues and their causes and work to develop skills for sound environmental governance processes. It consists of a careful selection of conceptual inputs and field-based learning. The skill building process will consist of developing expertise in Team Building, Leadership Development, Cross-cultural Communication, Systems Thinking, Negotiation & Problem Solving Skills, Stakeholder Engagement and Consensus Building all of which promote sustainable development.
2. The Learning Objective
1 To develop critical awareness towards issues related to Environmental Governance and appreciating the broader context of different stakeholders.
2 To sensitize LEAD associates on water governance, forest governance and corporate social responsibility and expose them to a critical process of multi stakeholder engagement and to develop the capacity to draw up a framework of consensus building.
3 To raise sensitivity of the participants on group processes and group dynamics and sharpen skills in inter-group processes, group facilitation, problem solving and decision making, conflict resolution and leadership development.
4 To create opportunity for networking and alliance building for sustainable development and introducing Associates to the global LEAD Fellows network (LEADnet).
3. The Course Structure
1 The training is a fee based program starting from February 2007
2 The duration of the program is 20 days spread over a period of one year.
3 There would be national and international sessions.
4 The Associates can be part of one International Session which is optional.
5 Each session will be of 5 days duration and will be a mix of theoretical inputs, learning from peer groups, field visits and learning by doing.
6 LEAD Associate Projects (LAP) will be undertaken by each associate on an agreed topic and will be in addition to the residential training program. Successful completion of the approved LEAD Associate Project (LAP) will be the prerequisite for graduating as LEAD Fellow.
4. Curriculum
(a) The purpose of the LEAD training is to enhance leadership skills, understanding of sustainable development, and networking. It is to be based on an adult-learning methodology that is experiential in approach, learner centred, participatory and dynamic. Learning is achieved through practice, exchange and collaboration.
(b) Cohort training will include skills modules (such as systems thinking, cross-cultural communication, negotiation and consensus building, ethical decision-making, team-building and leadership).
(c) Cohort training will also include modules to build Associates’ knowledge and understanding of sustainable development, particularly, but not limited to, the theme chosen for the International Session for that Cohort. The focus of the 2007 International Session will be Climate and Energy.
(d) Cohort training will seek to deliver the following learning outcomes for Associates:
1 Enhanced understanding of leadership and an enhanced capacity as leaders themselves within their social and professional contexts.
2 Enhanced knowledge and understanding of sustainable development in general, and the theme chosen for the International Session in particular.
3 Enhanced networking skills and strengthened links with a diverse group of Associates, experts and scholars.
5. Selection Criteria
(1) Eligible age group is 25 – 45 years
(2) Willingness to pay the program fees
(3) Demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to sustainable development.
(4) Ability and willingness to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment
(5) Commitment to complete Associate training by attending all training sessions and meeting all training requirements.
(6) Commitment to undertake and complete a LEAD Associate Project (LAP) prior to graduation as a Fellow.
(7)Basic computer literacy.
(8) Written commitment by the employer to grant leave of absence, if selected for the program.
6. Selection Procedure
Candidates for the program are short-listed on the basis of their application. Short-listed candidates are called for a group discussion where a panel assess their leadership skills, motivation and aptitude for working towards sustainable development. Candidates selected will be called for the final interview by the selection panel.
7. Course Fee
As at now the course fee is US $5000
8. Evaluation and Graduation
Associates completing the training phase successfully would graduate to become a LEAD Fellow for life. Assessment will be based on nature of participation during the LEAD training, quality of assignments undertaken during training and the submission of LEAD Associate Project. |
