The first ACE Fellowship Workshop – a great chance to connect with one another in person

News-iag, Project | September 4, 2023

Together with our partner, International Disability Alliance (IDA), our Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG)) held the first ACE Fellowship Workshop in Jakarta – a great chance for the six ACE fellows and advisors to connect with one another in person, after spending months communicating online.  

The workshop built on earlier webinars and assignments and focused on: 

• Increasing understanding of development stakeholders who request inclusion advice and their perspectives  
• using the CRPD as an analysis tool for programs 
• developing actionable recommendations out of an analysis, 
• practicing communicating recommendations clearly, in writing and verbally.  

One of the fellows reflected – “each day during the CRPD sessions, I would think yes, this is aligned with my advocacy work. Then when we applied it to the scenarios in the afternoons, I would think aha! This is advisory work. I can see what is the same and what is different in the role of an advisor, compared to advocating as an OPD. The CRPD content is the same, but the role is different”  

The workshop unearthed some fantastic conversations on critical and interesting topics we are continuing to explore together, including:  

• What tasks and roles should an advisor do, and what is the role of an OPD? How can we keep checking in and making sure we are getting this right?  
• How can an inclusion advisor support good OPD engagement in a development program – engagement that supports the OPD’s priorities, not just the development partners’ objectives.  
• What are the complexities of being an advisor from the disability movement, and potentially moving between different roles?  
• How do we ensure that, when we analyse programs, we don’t just make the proposed program activities more inclusive – rather we are also bold and point out what is missing and how the program can further a broader rights agenda?  

The fellows got to practice their skills through several practical activities and scenarios daily. They worked in groups on a week-long assignment, involving the review of program documents at the request of fictional INGO, World Bank and UN staff members. The fellows reviewed the documents from a CRPD perspective and developed written recommendations. They verbally presented these recommendations in a mock meeting on the final day.  

We all learned a lot along the way, including IAG and IDA facilitators, who are delivering this kind of content together for the first time. The discussion was rich, interaction was high, and much laughter and enjoyment were had along the way.  

The fellows will continue applying what they learned through a range of projects they are undertaking with IAG and IDA, aligned to each fellows’ individual learning goals. Fellows will also continue to meet in webinars, complete assignments and engage in regular discussions with their mentors.  

We’re glad the workshop isn’t the end, but we will continue to get the chance to keep working with and learning from one another.  

The ACE project is funded by CBM Australia and Equity Trustees.

 

                                     

Share this Share article via Twitter Share article via Facebook Share article via LinkedIn Share article via Email Copy this pages Link

https://cbm-global.org/project/first-ace-fellowship-workshop-great-chance-connect-with-one-another-in-person

Back to Stories