psmu team event

PSMU TEAM EVENT ON “ORIENTATION ON SDC COUNTRY PROGRAMME”
Held at ECC, Bangalore
on 31st July & 1st August 2003

Event Highlights

Day 1

• The members introduced themselves, shared the joys and sorrows of their experience at ISPWDK.
  
  
• Mr. J Jangal explained the content, context of the new Country Program and the members were requested to each express two expectations they had of the workshop.
  
  
• Mr. Viswanathan shared the following rules for working together:
  1. I am open and flexible
  2. I listen
  3. I share my feelings openly and respect others' feelings
  4. I am self-critical.
  
  
• He further requested the members to add / delete / change the above rules. The following points were added to the list:
  5. Remain sensitive to others
  6. Express myself clearly
  7. Be humorous.
  
  
• Mr. Viswanathan shared the feedback code developed at COOF, which is:
  1. Giving immediate feedback after the event
  2. Making the feedback on the basis of specifics
  3. While giving / taking feedback, always listen first
  4. Do not be defensive
  5. Do not justify
  6. Do not comment
  7. Ask questions for clarification
  8. Receive feedback and decide what to do
  
  
• Understanding Poverty in Team
  The session on poverty was introduced by Dr. Jane Carter, which included how we perceive poverty, incidences of poverty, how to reduce poverty, key questions in poverty, and sayings about poverty.
  
  
• Mr. Viswanathan introduced the working of SDC in India since 1960 and several changes that have taken place in its focus areas. He shared the goal, vision and the objectives of the new country programme.
  

Day II

• The day began with Viswanathan introducing the main orientation of the New Country Programme, which aims at overcoming poverty through decentralization and fighting discrimination.
  
  
• Then the different aspects of Decentralization were shared by the group:
  - Tradition of Village Self Governance in India
  - Failure of Central Planning to deliver results
  - Boost to Decentralization during 1990s
  - Actual Implementation in States
  - SDC’s Strategies in the area of Decentralization are still evolving
  - Some crucial elements required for pro-poor changes
  - Possible areas where one could think of support
  - Potential to integrate the idea of promoting decentralisation in its work with all partners, especially through work on productivity enhancement focus areas eg. Water focus
  
  
• Following this a group exercise was conducted to look at areas where decentralisaton aspects, which have been, addressed in ISPWDK and IC NGO KTN projects and which have potential for future addressing.
  
  
• Partner support structures - Jane Carter introduced the partner support structures and explained how the groups will work under PSS. Viswanathan then made a presentation on the same.
  
  
• Guidelines for Efficient and Effective COOF - Viswanathan presented the COOF guidelines. He presented the basic orientation of SDC India "In all our endeavours we want to encourage life. Therefore, we contribute to enhancing values of sustainability, to fighting poverty as well as to promoting learning".
  
  
• Evaluation Viswanathan invited the members for the evaluation of the workshop and requested them their views on the flashcards.
  
  
• The final highlight included a discussion on “How do I want to take the orientations / values of the Country Programme forward, in my day-to-day activities?”

Conclusion

Jane Carter concluded the workshop by referring back to the expectations raised by the members in the beginning of the workshop and thanked all the members for their active participation.