A new batch of trainers arrive in Amman

At a first glance the Global Platform in Amman looks like its old self. But a lot of things are happening in these months, including the arrival of six new trainers, who will be working to train young people from all over the region.

One of the new faces is Nadia Norvang Christiansen. When asked what she sees as a challenge in her new job, she is quick to reply.  ‘Let me just say from the beginning I like plans and calendars’, she laughs. ‘I am very structured and that doesn’t always go hand in hand with working in the Middle East.’ But on a more serious note, she also reflects on the team’s prospect of starting a training program in Egypt. ‘Starting in a new country, building on the new ActionAid programme there and tightening the whole network of partner organizations and youth groups, that is a huge challenge - but also incredibly interesting, she adds confidently. She is excited to start developing the programme and to be part of a group that can make a difference in the region.

Newly arrived trainers, Inge and nadia, are exited to start their work at the Global Platform

Nadia has her share of experience with working in the region. She has lived in Amman from 2008-2010, working with the Danish Embassy and was part of the group who planned the first Middle East Expedition. Nadia has a Masters in Middle Eastern studies from Denmark and she is no stranger to ActionAid either. Her first encounter was an International Leader Training Seminar (ILTS) in Jarash, Jordan in 2008, where she was an observer.

“Let’s talk about it!”

Now she is on the other side of the fence and must build on the years of experience of the previous trainers. But she seems prepared to take over. ‘I think the most important thing is to be aware of all the things that can come into play. For example the issue of gender roles,’ she says. ‘It’s not just something to talk about, it also goes into the logistic planning and so on,’ she explains. Another thing is that young people from the region might have some individual and social backgrounds, which need to be addressed. ‘A lot of the participants will come from areas with conflicts, that have influenced them in some way, so you can’t just come as a Dane and say, “Now, let’s talk about it!”’

Old and new

Besides Nadia, there will be two other Danish trainers and 3 local, so all in all a team of six new trainers at the platform in Amman. Come November, they will have their debut in Egypt with two ILTS workshops. The first will be for 40 young people, who do activities in their local community in Fayoum in upper Egypt. The other group is the Cairo University youth union. ‘They will need help to do actual campaigns and ensure gains for students rights in the change process taking place in the country. I am so exited to get started,’ Nadia concludes.

The arrival of the new trainers also means a goodbye to the old ones. Christian Lund Jensen and Nadia Masri-Pedersen have worked at the Global Platform since May 2010 and are both returning to Scandinavia by the end of October. But before they leave, they will have their final workshop alongside the new trainers, a  workshop on leadership and community facilitation for  Madrasati Commuity mobilizers, from the 16-20^th this month.