Written by: William Keepin, Cynthia Brix, Zanele Khumalo, and Antonia Porter
Gender Equity and Reconciliation in Universities;
GRI Fourth Professional Facilitator Training in South Africa;
Further GRI Accomplishments in 2015;
Gender Reconciliation at the 2015 Parliament of World Religions;
2016-2017 Professional Training in Gender Reconciliation
Executive Summary
GRI Highlights for 2015:
- Two independent research projects on our methodology of Gender Equity and Reconciliation were launched at two universities in South Africa, with highly promising results. Monthly follow up groups for students ran throughout most of the academic year. University researchers say “the data is really very rich, and we already have important themes ‘jumping out at us.’ The first scholarly journal article(s) from this research are expected to be published in 2016.
- Thirteen intensive 3-day workshops on Gender Equity and Reconciliation were conducted: in South Africa (seven), the United States (three), India (two), and Australia (one). These included public workshops and invitational programs for NGOs, educational institutions, and spiritual and religious organizations.
- Introductory presentations on Gender Equity and Reconciliation were conducted at seven U.S. universities and colleges, including a full three-day intensive workshop at Pacific Lutheran University which was a major success (and they invited us back next year).
- A new year-long professional training was launched in South Africa for a group of 22 highly qualified trainees, and three of the four 5-day training modules have been completed. Another training starts as soon as this one is completed.
- GRI staff presented at the NGO forum of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York City.
- A team of 10 GRI staff from six countries, guest presenters, and two GRI board members made a significant splash at the 2015 Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, where our materials and booth inspired a steady stream of conference delegates. We presented a three-hour experiential workshop at the Parliament for 80 attendees, entitled Transforming Patriarchy in Religion: The Promise of Gender Reconciliation.
- As one university student described the impact of the Gender Equity and Reconciliation program: “I woke up; reconstructed, restored, transformed and liberated more than ever and truly more emancipated in terms of my gender & sexuality. I woke up…with my faith and hope reformed… a part of me has healed from the wounds I carried daily…” GRI will continue to offer its programs in selected universities in 2016.
Upcoming Highlights for 2016:
Building on this auspicious momentum, inspiring plans for next year are shaping up:
- GRI will launch three new Gender Equity and Reconciliation Facilitation Training programs: in India, South Africa, and the United States.
- The 2016 training goal is to expand capacity by training approximately 100 new facilitators in 2016 in the United States, India, and South Africa combined—to help meet rapidly growing demand for Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs.
- We are actively training the next generation of leaders in Gender Equity and Reconciliation, and developing highly skilled teams of trainers of trainers in the United States and South Africa, who are taking on a growing share of the training load.
- The visionary organization Bioneers has invited GRI into a strategic collaboration, to help implement Gender Equity and Reconciliation widely within their extensive networks. This is auspicious because Bioneers represents a large “national network of visionary scientific and social innovators that highlight breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet” (www.bioneers.org). Bioneers’ founders Kenny Ausubel and Nina Simons invited Will Keepin and Cynthia Brix to give a Keynote presentation and daylong workshop at their 2016 annual conference, October 21-23, which typically draws about 4,000 people. Bioneers also invited GRI into a partnership to draw on their substantial marketing infrastructure to help Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs go to scale in the United States.
- GRI founders will present at the Global Foundation for Integrative Medicines Congress, October 7-9, 2016, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The conference focus is Multi-Dimensional Healing.
- The Third International Leah Tutu Symposium in 2016 will focus on the theme of gender reconciliation, August 18 – 19, 2016 at Stellenbosch University. GRI founders and staff will present at the Symposium.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation in Universities
“…to live in total freedom from gender-based shackles”
This is one student’s vision for a world healed of gender injustice and disharmony. The student shared this aspiration after a visioning exercise during a Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop held at the University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa, April 24-26, 2015. “Safety when walking home” and “Blessed in being human and no [gender] discrimination,” were other visions and dreams articulated by students.
Taking a practical and strategic approach
Institutions of higher learning incubate young leaders and help shape thought and cultural attitudes within the countries where they are situated. When circumstances on campus begin to undermine the ability and capacity for universities and colleges to serve as these ‘incubators’, the wellbeing of students is threatened. This is seen for example with the prevalence of sexual assault and dating abuse on university campuses. Gender relations between women and men on campus are in a state of crisis. GRI’s work in universities expanded considerably in 2015, to help academic institutions to foster ‘higher learning’ for students in terms of interpersonal dynamics, gender relations and responsible intimacy during their formative years on campus.
GRI’s work in universities expanded considerably in 2015, as detailed below:
Universities in South Africa
Research projects on Gender Equity and Reconciliation are now underway at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. Possibilities for research projects at other South African universities are also under exploration.
University of the Free State
In January 2015, UFS launched a three-year research project to study the intricate dynamics of gender transformation initiated by Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs. The research analyzes significant moments of transformation between women and men during Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshops and monthly follow-up sessions over a period of nine months. This research project is initiated and supervised by Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a globally renowned expert on trauma, memory, and forgiveness, who served on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The first of three workshops within this research project took place on April 24-26, with 25 student participants. Students reported that the workshop was a profound experience. For example, a 23-year old transgender student of Sotho ethnicity wrote afterward on her social media page: “I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Gender Equity and Reconciliation International team….who assisted in organising such a prestigious workshop for people of all sexes to participate in…. Today I woke up; reconstructed, restored, transformed and liberated more than ever and truly more emancipated in terms of my gender & sexuality. I woke up…with my faith and hope reformed that there’s still a chance for me to prosper because a part of me has healed from the wounds I carried daily… I now believe more than ever that the society I reside in still has a chance to work towards peace and mutual healing for all.
‘Spirituality and Sexuality’ was the theme of the second Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop at UFS, conducted for the same cohort of students, August 14-16, 2015. Together the group of students explored the intricacies and complexities of being human; in the ways they express their faith and spirituality, and navigate the often charged and taboo area of sexuality and intimate relationship.
“It is truly a privilege to witness the spirit of change that the students are embracing, and the level of maturity and commitment through which they are approaching this work,” said Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk who is implementing the research project, assisted by postgraduate student Arnold Motsau. “This work has truly touched their lives,” said Dr. van Schalkwyk, “students engaged with the themes we presented in meaningful and thoughtful ways, showing that being part of the Gender Equity and Reconciliation process has initiated important identity work. From a research perspective the data is really very rich and we already have important themes ‘jumping out at us’. All in all, it is very exciting. Professor Pumla Gobodo Madikizela is also very happy with the texture of work that is emerging.”
University of the Western Cape
A second research initiative is currently underway at another university in South Africa. Following a successful three-day Gender Equity and Reconciliation programme held June 4-6, 2014, a research project on Gender Equity and Reconciliation commenced at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town, South Africa. This project is part of an academic research programme in collaboration with Gender Equity and Reconciliation International (GRI) and the Department of Psychology at UWC. Under the guidance and supervision of the Chair of the Psychology Department, Dr Michelle Andipatin, the research project aims to implement Gender Reconciliation programmes on campus, and to measure the efficacy and impact of these programmes over time.
The second three-day workshop at UWC was held July 24-26, 2015, with sensitive and earnest participation from the students, led by an all South African team of GRI facilitators: Zanele Khumalo, Jabu Mashinini, Les Thomas, and Emma Oliver. “It is an inspiring journey and a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said one male participant. Another male participant reflected, “I always knew that women had an inner strength . . . but through this process to see the resilience and the strength that women have was truly amazing… [This] had the biggest impact on me. I would definitely recommend this workshop to others.”
Special moments at the University of the Western Cape GRI workshop
University of Cape Town
GRI was invited to give a three-hour experiential session on Gender Equity and Reconciliation with student representatives from various levels of the UCT student governance body, including the Student Representative Council (SRC), house residence committees and development agencies. The session was hosted by SRC on March 2, 2015 as part of Transformation Month exploring issues of gender, sexuality and disability. About 45 student leaders attended the session, and the program was very well received. GRI staff are in dialogue with two UCT faculty (Dr. Despina Learmonth and Dr. Johannes John-Langba) to explore avenues for introducing Gender Equity and Reconciliation further at UCT.
Universities in the United States
Given the growing concern about sexual violence on US university campuses, GRI reached out to 28 US universities in 2015. Introductory and experiential presentations were given at Portland State University, Seattle Central College, Peninsula College, Bellevue College, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Notre Dame de Namur between January and September 2015. We are in dialogue with several of these universities about possible implementation of a more comprehensive program in Gender Reconciliation.
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington
In September, GRI held a three-day introductory Gender Reconciliation workshop at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma, Washington, in collaboration with the Women’s Center at PLU. Twenty-eight students, staff and faculty stepped whole-heartedly into the Gender Reconciliation process with honesty, courage and enthusiasm. Through story-telling, song, contemplative silence, small group work and cross-gender activities, participants were able to delve deeply into issues of gender and sexual conditioning, and worked collectively to begin untangling the knots of negative cultural and social conditioning.
“The workshop helped me get in touch with myself and express my emotions. I have always struggled to express my feelings, and at times, to even know how I was feeling,” said one male participant at the conclusion of the workshop. Towards the end of the workshop, participants honoured each other in a spirit of creativity, music and heartfelt appreciation. “I commit to seeing each man I meet as an individual, and not judging them based on the actions of some men,” said one woman participant. A follow-up session to the September workshop was held on October 30, 2015.
Programs in New Mexico
Two introductory GRI programs were conducted at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. The first was led by GRI trainer Shell Goldman and GRI intern Essrea Cherin of Boulder, CO and was very well received. This led to further invitations to present at a conference at the college. Shell Goldman has since been invited to teach at Southwestern College.
In February, GRI facilitators Cynthia Brix, Shell Goldman, and Antonia Porter led introductory programs in Gender Equity and Reconciliation for 25 students at the University of New Mexico, and for the staff of Ghost Ranch Educational Center in Abiqui, NM.
GRI Professional Facilitator Training
GRI launched its fourth professional facilitation training in South Africa in March 2015, with more than 22 professional trainees from diverse cultural backgrounds. Most are professionally engaged directly with communities, academia, health professions, or NGOs. The two-track design of the facilitation training allows trainees to enter either to experience Gender Equity and Reconciliation as a transformational practice in depth, or to become a Gender Reconciliation facilitator. Both tracks invite trainees on a journey towards healing and reconciliation of challenging gender-related issues between the sexes and in their own lives.
The first training module took place on March 26-30, 2015, and was led entirely by GRI’s senior South African training staff. The second module of this training took place on 24-28 June, led by GRI founders Keepin and Brix. The third training module was held on October 21-25, 2015, and was led by an entirely South African team. In this module, trainees had hands-on practice leading key components of the Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop, including the giving and receiving of feedback and constructive criticism. Trainees described the program as “groundbreaking, life-changing, transformative;” and “exceptionally wonderful – much relevant for all South Africans especially young people” One woman wrote afterwards:
“I felt unburdened, lighter, freer and as if a load has been taken off my shoulders. I am really so deeply appreciative and thankful for the contained, safe space.”
“The workshop helped me get in touch with myself and express my emotions. I have always struggled to express my feelings, and at times, to even know how I was feeling,” said one male participant at the conclusion of the workshop. The fourth module of the training is scheduled for February 24-28, 2016.
For more information on training in 2016, see the end of this report.
Further GRI Accomplishments
South Africa, India, United States
South Africa
Beyond the facilitation training and research projects, four other workshops took place in South Africa during this period:
- Phaphama Initiatives, GRI’s partner NGO based in Soweto, Johannesburg, held a workshop on March 27-28 2015. A dominant theme was the fragmentation of families due to the migrant labor system in South Africa, and the consequent multiple gender injustices. Afterwards many participants spoke of undergoing incredible healing from gender-related trauma. As one participant put it, “these past few days…[were] like a year of healing…this is something I want to give back to the people and community as a whole.”
A dominant theme was the fragmentation of families due to the migrant labour system in South Africa, and the consequent multiple gender injustices. This was reflected in what another participant said, “The people here are closer to me than the people I’ve known all my life.” In collaboration with Phaphama’s founders, GRI plans to launch its second professional facilitator training in Soweto in 2017.
- Thirty-seven women and men from 13 African countries in one Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop! These numbers do nothing to capture the essence and magic of the five-day introductory Gender Equity and Reconciliation programme that was held on May 11-15, 2015 at the Grail Centre in Kleinmond, South Africa. Even in a group as diverse as this one, the profound ‘gender wound’ was systemic and uniform across the different cultures, faiths, ethnicities and nationalities that convened in Kleinmond over the five days. Equally profound was the deep intention for safe space and healing that all participants upheld in joyful partnership. Deep Gratitude to the GRI Facilitators: Diane Salters, Noegh Crombie, Rob McLeod, and Emma Oliver.
“This is the most valuable workshop I have ever attended,” remarked one participant after the Kleinmond workshop. “Working on myself will help me to continue, the exercises we did will help me to do more when I lose hope.”
During the workshop, participants spoke truth to their experiences as women and men, and held witness to each other in safe space. For example, one male participant said, “The process closes the distance between men and women bearing witness to the pain and truth. … Men kneeled down, apologised and thanked women for their understanding and expressing their emotions in men’s presence genuinely… the experiences of the past week taught me that men need to be liberated from their domination over women because it keeps them slaves of their own.”
A declaration!
“My first port of call will be my immediate family. I will beam a ray of beauty by organising an honouring ceremony with my children to their mother which will be the first of its kind in our twenty two years of marriage. We will shower her with gifts genuinely without any hidden agenda,” declared one of the men when reflecting on how he would take what he experienced in the workshop to his personal life. Feedback also pointed to the need for more black African facilitators to be trained.
Workshop for NGO Leaders in South Africa
“We are a gender-wounded nation… internal healing is needed before we can heal others,” observed one thoughtful NGO leader at a GRI workshop for peacemakers. On the eve of Women’s Day, Aug 6-8, an inspiring group of women and men from NGOs, universities, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and gender justice programs gathered to experience a Gender Reconciliation workshop. This workshop was convened in collaboration with the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), and was held at their offices. GRI sought to generate awareness of its programmes within a network of organisations doing similar work. Sixteen women and men from NGOs, academia, and groups involved in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and gender justice work gathered to experience the Gender Equity and Reconciliation programme.
The workshop was extremely well received. The depth of sharing and participation among participants was inspiring. As one participant shared: “The workshop had a great impact on my personal experience, journey, story of gender. It was transformative and healing.” Another said, “I would love to translate what I have learnt into my work…so that they are able to develop respect and appreciation for other genders.”
The project leader, Leila Emdon for Gender Justice and Reconciliation at IJR shared her experience of the August workshop in IJR’s online newsletter. Her article can be read here. A follow-up session to the workshop was held on October 29, 2015. Gratitude to the GRI workshop facilitators: Jabu Mashinini, Zanele Khumalo, Laurie Gaum, and Judy Bekker.
- GRI held a three-day introductory Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop hosted by, and for, Chrysalis Academy staff and training team, on August 26-28, 2015. Chrysalis Academy is a pioneering holistic development and training initiative for ‘youth-at-risk’ in Cape Town, South Africa. Twenty-two women and men participated in the workshop, including the Academy’s director, Lucille Meyer. She and several staff have also joined GRI’s year-long professional facilitation training programme.
Under her stewardship, Ms. Meyer intends to roll out Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshops for the whole academy once she and her colleagues qualify for certification as GRI facilitators. The Chrysalis workshop participants showed up in the fullness of their humanity and speaking truth to their experiences as women and men with compassion, humility and courage. Gratitude to the GRI Facilitators: Zanele Khumalo, Rob McLeod, Judy Bekker, and Les Thomas
Gender Reconciliation in India
GRI continues to expand its outreach through collaboration and partnership with NGOs in the countries we work. We have conducted three highly successful introductory Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshops for a leading NGO in Bangalore, Dream a Dream. The entire staff of 76 young professionals (mostly between ages 18-36) has now participated in the 3-day introductory GR program. The most recent workshops were held on November 20-22 2014 and June 11-13 2015. Dream a Dream works with 5000 volunteers to support life skills development for youth-at-risk.
Dream a Dream is collaborating with GRI to host a year-long facilitator training; the first module takes place in Bangalore, February 8-12, 2016. GRI also received a request to conduct a workshop for the professional staff of Arpan, a large NGO based in Mumbai working on child sexual abuse issues. GRI plans to offer this workshop, and also continues its close collaboration with Indian NGOs Maher in Pune and Sofkin in Hyderabad, which support destitute women and children.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs in the United States
In the United States, several Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs and workshops took place in 2015:
- A workshop was held at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle, February 6-8, attended by 32 participants. Provocative themes emerged from the participants around date rape, objectification, pornography, and other poignant issues. GRI facilitation team was Janet Coster, Will Keepin, Cynthia Brix, John Tsungme Guy, and Antonia Porter. Participants formed a follow-up group that meets monthly, and has been facilitated by GRI facilitators.
- The 4th annual Dallas, Texas GRI workshop, organized by Julien Devereux, took place June 5-7, 2015, with a group who deeply explored issues of safety and power. Participants have joined the on-going follow-up S.O.U.L. groups from previous GRI workshops in Dallas. The GRI facilitation team was Shirsten Lundblad, Julien Devereux, Cynthia Brix, and John Tsungme Guy.
- For the second year in a row, GRI was invited to offer a day-long Gender Equity and Reconciliation programme for the combined communities of Women of Wisdom Foundation and ManKind Project (MKP) in Seattle, Washington, July 11, 2015. GRI facilitator Dr. Julien Devereux, who is also Chair of ManKind Project USA, joined Cynthia Brix as co-facilitator, with support from Jane Calbreath and John Tsungme Guy. Heart-opening connections were made as the group of 36 women and men shared the stories of their lives and deepened their compassion and understanding for one another. Engaging movement activities, facilitated by Sommer Joy Albertsen, were interwoven throughout the day, which helped support the depth of sharing. “Thank you for such an incredible day of deepening compassion with gender healing,” said one female participant at the end of the session.
- An inspiring intergenerational workshop took place August 10-14, 2015 at Ghost Ranch Retreat Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The five-day programme brought together an inspiring group of women and men – ages 22 to 70 – as they shared their life experiences in relation to gender and held sacred witness of each other with deep compassion, unflinching courage and truthful engagement from the heart. One male participant described the workshop as “the best workshop ever…connected to heart and soul…thank you…” Another said “I really consider Gender Equity and Reconciliation to be a profound kind of heartwork. It amazes me how shifts in my heart profoundly deepen my practice of meditation, and influence my way of being in the world.”
- On 2-4 October 2015, a moving Gender Reconciliation workshop took place at the Center for Spiritual Living in Seattle. Many of whom have now joined the monthly follow-up group initiated at the February Seattle workshop, which is helping to consolidate a strong, self-sustaining Gender Reconciliation community in the Seattle area.
The GRI team was pleased to have Rev. Laurie Gaum from South Africa on the facilitation team for the workshop. Rev. Gaum, the only openly gay minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, also presented at GRI’s breakout session at the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City. His remarkable story can be read here.
- A weekly introductory program in Gender Reconciliation was conducted over a period of eight weeks under the leadership of GRI trainer/facilitator Shell Goldman in Santa Fe, NM. The group of 16 men and women met weekly for two hours, following the format of GRI’s three-day workshop, and the series concluded with a daylong retreat. Feedback was highly enthusiastic, and the program demonstrated the flexibility of the GRI model in adapting to different temporal frameworks.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation at the 2015 Parliament of World Religions
Gender inequity and patriarchal institutions have long-plagued every major world religion. In October GRI presented a workshop and panel at the Parliament of World Religions, which is the largest interfaith gathering in the world. Nearly 10,000 people from 50 faith traditions across the globe attended the conference. Convened approximately every five years, the Parliament offered a crucial opportunity to introduce Gender Equity and Reconciliation to religious leaders and spiritual organizations across the faith traditions.
GRI had a magnificent showing and presence at the recent Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, which ran from October 15-19, 2015. Our team of 12 – expert panelists, GRI staff and interns from six countries — met and engaged with different organizations, religious and faith communities, interfaith groups, spiritual seekers and individuals from around the world to share the Gender Equity and Reconciliation work at GRI’s booth throughout the duration of the event.
GRI also held a 90-minute experiential breakout session titled “Transforming Patriarchy in Religion: The Promise of Gender Reconciliation” The Parliament programs consisted mainly of lectures and discussion, so the experiential format of our Gender Equity and Reconciliation session was a welcome change – and relief! – for over 80 attendees who had the opportunity to actually experience the Gender Equity and Reconciliation International program rather than just hear about it. Many participants spoke of how moved they were by GRI’s conference session. A beautiful aspect of the Gender Reconciliation process is the culture of deep respect and mutual reverence that is cultivated by creating a safe space for participants to share their gender-based stories with integrity, compassion and non-judgment. “If I had known that we were going to do this cross-gender activity, I would have been more honest in my responses from the very beginning,” reflected one woman participant after a powerful cross-gender witnessing activity. Heartfelt sharings were offered from all the panelists who spoke to a deeper call for healing gender disharmony in their personal lives, spiritual communities, and in society.
GRI staff anticipate that our upcoming professional facilitator training program, which will include religious leaders from all faith traditions, will make a powerful contribution not only to gender reconciliation within religious and spiritual communities, but also to inter-religious healing and reconciliation. The Parliament provided an excellent platform for marketing and launching the Gender Equity and Reconciliation training widely to religious leaders of all faiths.
The GRI team maintained a remarkable delivery, enthusiasm, and esprit de corps throughout the conference, which was noted by many who visited our exhibit booth throughout the Parliament. A constant buzz of visitors and conference delegates hovered around our booth, and many signed up on our mailing list, and expressed interest in our upcoming trainings in 2016.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation in Australia
A second Australian Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshop took place November 13-15, 2015. It was a beautiful and transformative time, with wholehearted and compassionate participation from everyone in the group of 21 people. The facilitation team was Ester Diplock, William Diplock, Nina Springle, and Judy Bekker, GRI Director of Training in South Africa. “I gained courage to speak from my own truth, in spite of fear,” said one woman participant. Another participant said “This workshop is life changing!”
Gender Equity and Reconciliation in the United Kingdom
Requests for Gender Equity and Reconciliation workshops have emerged from various quarters in the UK, and a workshop will take place in London on 11-13 February 2016. The Wrekin Trust, based in south-west England, hosted an introductory presentation on April 25 2015, attended by 25 participants. A second presentation took place in London on 3 July, coordinated by SPARK, an NGO addressing gender-based violence, and was attended by 16 participants mostly from gender justice and peacebuilding NGOs based in London. Participants thoroughly enjoyed it, and all said that they will attend the February workshop, with several since then recommending it to their senior colleagues.
GRI presented at the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Bejing+20 NGO Forum, 14 March 2015
At the annual CSW event held at the UN in New York, GRI staff Antonia Porter and John Tsungme Guy presented a “parallel event” at the NGO forum. Fifteen women participants from Australia, the Bahamas, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, the UK, and the USA attended the session. Feedback was highly positive; one stated that it was the best event of the conference and should be held for everyone at the conference. Another Nigerian woman said that she felt it was a transcendent experience and felt liberated and empowered by it.
Gender Equity and Reconciliation long-term follow-up groups
Ongoing Gender Equity and Reconciliation follow-up groups have been established following introductory workshops in Texas, St. Louis, Seattle (USA), Soweto and Bloemfontein (South Africa), and starting in Brisbane Australia. Dubbed SOUL (Self-Organizing Ubuntu Learning) groups, these gatherings bring together participants on a regular basis, typically monthly. Two SOUL groups in Dallas, Texas, met bi-weekly for more than two years. Participants in these groups generally report that they achieve a high degree of mutual trust, respect, and appreciation. Participants say that they find these meetings to be extremely helpful in sustaining their journeys as agents of change. GRI is continuing to develop these S.O.U.L. follow-up groups.
Professional Training in Gender Equity and Reconciliation
Since 2010 GRI has successfully trained over 50 facilitators in Gender Equity and Reconciliation in South Africa and the United States, making GRI well-placed to launch major new facilitation training programs. In 2016 we plan to train qualified professionals, facilitators, and social leaders across the USA, South Africa, and India, to become Gender Equity and Reconciliation facilitators—empowering them to implement Gender Equity and Reconciliation programs in their respective communities and constituencies, thereby promoting gender equity and women in leadership within their networks.
Collaboration with Bioneers for US Training
GRI is contracting with Bioneers to promote the GRI training within the Bioneers’ constituencies nationally within the USA, and its Beaming Bioneers Community Resilience Network.
Outline of Training Program
Prospective trainees will undergo an application process, including personal interviews. Accepted trainees will go through an intensive and rigorous training program that is highly experiential, interactive, and engaging—giving trainees first-hand experience with core gender issues, learning to work collaboratively and share power in gender balanced teams, cultivating peer accountability in all aspects of the training, grappling with challenging gender dynamics in mixed groups, practical hands-on facilitation experience, working skilfully with trauma and PTSD, and conflict transformation experience.
The training will be conducted by GRI’s diverse international training team of our most senior and experienced facilitators from the USA and South Africa. This makes for a unique and highly dynamic multicultural team of diverse trainers, who have been collaborating closely in the USA and South Africa over the past decade. The South African trainers bring a profound depth of knowledge and experience relating to principles of truth and reconciliation applied to social justice issues, and this has proven to be a major advantage in our development of the Gender Equity and Reconciliation training program. “Click Here” for more information and application process details.