Read Paul Biddle's Eighth Instalment from Haiti
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The building work is moving on a pace with the accommodation nearly completed in Arcahaie along with the massive walls in Delmas; the difference is incredible from the destroyed buildings we found when we got here. I cannot believe we got the project off the ground so fast. It's six months on from the earthquake and for those of us who have been here all that time there are changes to see. Life in Haiti has always been hard and the poverty extreme but the markets are full, the rubble is being cleared and music fills the air most nights. I do not pretend to like workshops having attended a few in my time. That said I do attend if I feel they will benefit my work and usually if they have “security” in the title. Very shallow I know, but having been a soldier, policeman and a prison officer I think I understand the psyche of my trade |
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It’s not trickery or deceit but in fact everything we do in prisons has “security” at its core from “change management” to “human rights”
In my last job I was tasked with co-ordinating justice and prisons throughout Afghanistan at the provincial level; I visited over 20 provinces. I used the sobriquet “security sector reform” for the prisons and police and “human rights” and “justice” for civil society and the judiciary. Each sector attended no doubt wondering why the other had turned up.
I always start my workshops with a question which at the end of the session I want answered. I also want to learn something myself. The best workshops are the ones where you can walk away saying to yourself “I never knew that.”
In all debates I get someone to write the most salient points down; this is where you will learn and those attending will learn.
Why workshops and not training? I think when you are not familiar with the country or you have not been able to undertake a training needs assessment you may not truly know what is required. Also it would be wrong to start training if you are not the primary facilitator.
Our workshops targeted the Haitian senior management, the director, the deputy director, the director’s staff officer, the director of training and the director of engineering and all the regional sub-directors. It also had MINUSTAH and the ICRC as guests.
We have through the workshops gained a greater understanding of the training needs which have now been passed to the UN.
Smaller design workshops for the planners, engineers and architects on “security” design and “security” planning have also been undertaken but mainly at the sites.
Workshops do not need to be set piece - some of the best are impromptu. During a meeting when posed with a problem and time is allowed, stop the meeting and turn it into a workshop. Resolve the issue and resume the meeting. It works!
Workshops are a great tool,not only to impart your knowledge and experience but more importantly to gain the knowledge you need to be more effective.