In the activities of the year 2016 the INTEGRATED SYSTEMIC CONTINUOUS TRAINING PROGRAM (FISC) for Arcigay activists. The program aims to consolidate and establish a self-sufficient network of trainers., organized in a specific internal "Register", which from the central level bring actions and knowledge to the committees' territories, with a cascading action also supported by a robust distance learning system (FAD) on the Moodle platform.
We train trainers
The initial recipients were 45 activists from Northern, Central, and Southern Italy. From January 13th to April 17th, 2016, in Milan, Rome, and Bari, the volunteers participated in three training workshops, each lasting two days, on Saturday and Sunday. Through self-empowerment and group sessions, participants were able to critically and consciously explore their relational and communicative skills in activism, potentialities, and operational peculiarities that are also crucial in training activities. A large portion of the three workshops was dedicated to designing training activities with simulation exercises that resulted in actual training projects to be implemented in the second half of the year. Arcigay is thus consolidating its a network of trainers:
- second level: able to structure and manage complex training courses, including those characterised by group and/or emotional dynamics, and assist less experienced trainers;
- first level: able to independently structure and manage less complex training courses with low relational and emotional impact.
Structure and methodology of the internal training offer
Currently, the internal training offer integrates different models, in a cascade structure:
- Second level national residential training, “propaedeutic” (to train trainers) or “thematic” (They usually involve only a few committees, with very specific training objectives, themed and functional to activities and projects/programs, as in the case of the ProTEST, Migranet, etc. projects). This type of training is typically managed by second-level trainers, in co-presence and according to a residential model (full weekend).
- First level co-presence national training, of national initiative but located locally According to a geographical division into six macro-areas: Northwest, Northeast, North-Central, South-Central, South, and Islands. In this case, the national training courses are hosted by local committees that act as "hubs" for the respective territorial area. These training courses are typically managed by first-level trainers, supported by second-level trainers, who work in conjunction with each other.
- Local training in first level co-presence, of local initiative and limited to the promoting committeeand possibly open to other territories. These training courses are generally managed by first-level trainers, in co-presence.
- Second and first level distance learning (FAD), on a professional platform Moodle, partly autonomous (not requiring in-person training modules), partly integrated with in-person/residential training activities. It is generally managed by second-level trainers.
There methodology the training offer is mixed, integrated and cascading:
- Formal education: lectures with the use of advanced presentation tools (Powerpoint, Prezi, Videoscribe).
- Non-formal education: group, experiential, and/or physical activities. They are typically led by second-level trainers who are skilled in managing group, relational, and emotional dynamics.
- Distance learning: lessons and materials on the Moodle platform.
Typically, in co-presence training courses, especially national ones, both at the second and first level, the training structure is mixed, formal and non-formal, based on the training objective.
Active formations
First level national training
RAY – Rainbow As You: Basic literacy for Arcigay volunteers on LGBTI issues, associations, and the movement.
The FISC program began with a project initially funded by Law 383 of 2000 and is continuously evolving.
