Second School for Trainers “Tolerance and Non-Discrimination”

On 21-25 November 2016, Kyiv hosts the Second School for Trainers “Tolerance and Non-Discrimination” (School) in partnership with five organizations – International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health”, USAID HIV Reform in Action Project (Deloitte), Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM), All-Ukrainian Charitable Organization “Initiative for Life” and the Coalition for Combating Discrimination in Ukraine.

This School is organized to train the regional activists of HIV service organizations, who are interested in the development of trainers’ skills and plan to hold trainings on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination.  Among 27 participants of the School there are representatives not only from Ukraine but also from other countries of the Eastern Europe: Georgia, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Such School for Trainers is held for the second time already, with the participants of the first cycle invited as trainers to conduct some sections. Such format allowed alumni of the first training cycle to improve their professional competence and qualification six months after their “graduation”, with an opportunity to receive supervision as well as feedback. As for organizers and the trainer team of the School, they could see the results of their work.

There were 70 applications to take part in the School, with participants selected among those candidates who demonstrated high level of motivation and willingness to implement the knowledge and skills acquired in their further activities.

The participants learn to raise awareness and change attitudes among such challenging groups as public officials, healthcare workers, enforcement officers, educators, and mass media representatives.  Future trainers have an opportunity not only to be participants of the training and learn the theory of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, but also to conduct their own sessions and get feedback from their supervisors.

Elena German, organizer and trainer: “Often HIV service organizations have to prove that their activities are important and high-priority. After graduating from our School, the participants will not only be able to conduct trainings but also, through formation of tolerant attitude among public officials, to contribute to the sustainability of their organizations.”

Nina Verbitska, trainer: “At the training, we unite people who think and care, who do not want and are not ready to remain silent.”

Armen Aghajanov, PINK Armenia: “I saw the information about the School for Trainers on Facebook. I applied as I have been an activist for a long time, but have never took part in trainings for trainers. What I appreciate about the School is that it gives practical skills and knowledge. This School combines theory and know-how which may be used in the trainers’ activities.” 

Aleksey Rulev, Kryvyi Rih branch of All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH: “Participation in the School allows coming to a single conceptual framework of tolerance and non-discrimination. I want to start a career of a trainer to deliver trainings on non-discrimination for doctors and educators in my home town.”