Knowledge Creation for Sustainable Development

Building Leadership Capacity

Hague Conference on Environmental Security & Sustainable Development

11 May 2004

Julia Marton-Lefèvre

LEAD International

Training Approach

• Mixing personal mastery with social capital building;

• Developing relationships that sustain the leaders as well as the network;

• Strengthening skills and knowledge

• Experiential learning techniques that are learner-centered.

LEAD Programmes

Organizing Effective Training Events

Organizing Effective I nternational Training Events: The LEAD Approach

This CD-ROM is a comprehensive, step-by-step reference guide to designing, implementing and evaluating large international training events and workshops.

The guide has been developed by experienced LEAD training and logistics staff, and is relevant to all those planning training sessions for an international audience.

WHY: Premise

Living within our economic and ecological means demands: • far-reaching policy, institutional and technological reforms, •and shifts in individual values and behaviour.

Societal leaders need to be able to usher in these reforms and foster this behavioural change.

HOW: Our Goal

Capacity development will empower emerging leaders to manage the necessary change towards more sustainable patterns of development.

HOW: Social Capital Creation

Capacity building is used to strengthen individuals’ abilities, as well as create social capital to contribute to sustainable development.

WHAT: Four Key Elements of the Approach to Building Leadership

Capacity

1. Developing a set of shared ethics & values consistent with the mission & vision of sustainable development;

2. Building knowledge of key sustainable development challenges & their solutions at local & global levels;

3. Enhancing leadership skills essential to manage change;

4. Supporting collaborative & peer learning.

       

Skills for Leaders

• Self-awareness & understanding;

• Thinking systemically;

• Communicating effectively in diverse & multi-

cultural environments;

• Seeking to build relationships & networks that

stretch beyond one sector or discipline;

• Using collaborative approaches for decision-

making;

Skills for Leaders

• Facilitating dialogue among different voices &

opinions & helping groups value this diversity &

the richness of thought it brings;

• Valuing the ethical bases for decision making;

• Visioning as a tool to develop shared meaning &

as the basis for action-oriented discussion;

• Creating & motivating learning teams & networks.

Systems Thinking

Skills

Skills

Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

Skills

Team-building

Skills

Cross-cultural communication

Skills

Presentation

Skills

Media and Communications

Networking

Learning Methods

• Highly participatory, based on experiential learning techniques

• Interactive presentations & panel discussions• Case studies• Problem-solving activities• Simulations & role play• Distance learning & virtual events• Individual & group projects

Case studies on selected themes

Experiential Learning/Site Visits

Vale do Ribeira, Brazil (Cohort 8)

Sustainable Development Alternatives in the Atlantic

Rainforest

Working Groups

Simulations/Role Play

The Changing Role of the Intergovernmental System

Final International Session, USA

Mock Negotiation of UN Commission on Sustainable Development:

Focus on Sustainable Tourism

Panel discussions/distinguished speakers

Final International Session, USA The Changing Role of the Intergovernmental System

Cohort 6

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