Trainer Profile: Sahro M. Ahmed

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Training: Intercultural And Inter-relgious dialogue (15th – 22nd November 2004, Orthodox Monastery of Panagia Soumela, Veria, Greece)
Organised by: EYCE for a period of 9 days.
Description: Aim:
• to provide young people with practical skills and information how to encounter people from other cultures and religions and give participants tools how to prevent a possible conflict i.e. equip participants with the competence to encounter the challenges of cultural and religious plurality in today’s
Europe.

Objectives:
• to have a better understanding of both, Christianity and Islam
• to discover similarities and to respect our diversity
• to create space for participants to meet on a person – to – person level,
sharing ideas and experiences
• to discover historic and current positive examples of Islam – Christian
understanding and to learn from mistakes made in history
• to explore what has already been done in the process of inter-religious
dialogue
• to equip and train participants with the right tools so that they can initiate
similar activities in their home communities and home society.
* to establish our Muslim – Christian Dialogue as an example of inter-religious
dialogue in general.

Methods used
-independent work, which was partly done prior to the training course to group work where participants applied theory into the practice.
-lectures and role game,
- “Learning-by-doing”
- At the very beginning of the seminar there were different Ice-breakers, name games and group building activities used for participants to get to know each other and to create a friendly and positive atmosphere for further work.
- In order to meet everyone’s learning needs and to avoid frustrations
participants were asked to express their expectations and fears by writing them down on paper. It was done individually, so everyone got time to consider, what they want to learn or acknowledge and what their fears are.
- As a starting point for the training course participants worked in small groups in order to identify stereotypes towards Muslims and Christians.
- personal insight on the topic and sharing in the whole group, so that everyone is aware about the situation in the whole group. Eventually the conclusion was made that our perceptions about the other religions and cultures might be very wrong. Dialogue should be conducted with respect, patience, tolerance and an open mind, as a very substantial part of the training course, the personal approach was used.
- Role game as a method was used for further exploration of our own as well as other people’s beliefs and points of view. In the framework of the role game participants were exploring different issues from the perspectives of other people. The essential part of this method was avoiding judgements, before being in the role of others, before walking in other’s shoes. This method led participants towards a better understanding of others and their cultural and religious backgrounds, as well as different standpoints which this background is creating.




Reference person: Daniel MÜLLER = General Secretary (general.secretary@eyce.org, +32 2 5106187)

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Training: Reconciliation as a means for sustainable peace (28.03. - 04.04.2004, Strasbourg, France)
Organised by: EYCE for a period of 7 days.
Description: Aims and objectives:
The following aims and objectives for that study session have been defined by the International Planning Committee:
Aim:
·To explore the meaning of reconciliation as a concept and to help participants to find ways to implement it in their contexts for the purpose
of contributing to sustainable peace.

Objectives:
· to provide space for dialogue and individual reflection on reconciliation to explore reconciliation as a concept
· to find a common understanding of reconciliation
· to find ways how we can contribute to sustainable peace
· to identify and analyze the issues and concerns in participants’ contexts where reconciliation is needed
· to equip participants with tools with which they can contribute responsibly to sustainable peace
· to reflect on the potential role of EYCE in contributing to sustainable peace.

The session aimed at better understanding the concept of reconciliation and its contribution towards sustainable peace. The activity could be implemented thanks to the close collaboration and support from the Directorate of Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe. We were absolutely delighted to be welcomed in this comfortable and excellently facilitated place. It was there that through a wide range of methods, we successfully explored how reconciliation could be a tool for each of us in our own contexts. We succeeded in having explored a very difficult, profound topic, to the end that we even have some local and international project ideas springing up
from it. The programme focused not only at the theoretical discussion but also provided the space for getting practical tools on conflict solving and project development aimed at facilitating reconciliation.

Social highlights from the week included the French evening, hosted by our good friend Kim Goertz, a participant in former EYCE Programmes and his gang of locals, getting sick on all-you-can-eat tarte flambée, the visit to the Jewish synagogue, and of course the evenings spent on building great relationships.

Methodology:
The study session was working with and based on the active role of all participants. During the study session they could explore the meaning of reconciliation and sustainable peace as well as develop ideas. There was also time reserved for developing the ideas and transforming them into concrete project which could be implemented by the participants after returning home. Different methods used during the week varied a lot; it was individual work and teamwork as well as role games, presentations and lectures. Our guest speakers, Lord John Alderdice of Knock and Rev. Mathew Ross contributed a lot in our understanding of the concept of reconciliation and sustainable peace. The discussion in the small groups was essential for sharing opinions
and getting new ideas. We were challenged by the method of Open Space as it was introduced for the first time at an EYCE event. As it is shown in the
evaluation the Open Space was a great success. It allowed participants to raise the issues which hadn’t been foreseen by the programme or deeper
discussion of issues that had appeared.

Furthermore, the participants were asked to prepare a project. It was very important that the project they came up with during the sessions aimed at reconciliation and conflict solving. The projects that were presented by the participants had different dimensions and contexts. They were various: a TV programme, an interdenominational conference, a gender conference or website and community building.

As non-formal education is part of the image of EYCE study session, there was also the social part of the study session, which helped everyone in intercultural learning. We had an International Banquet, the European
Cultural Night, a French Surprise as well as many other activities during the course. All of them played an important role in learning from each others cultures.
Reference person: Daniel MÜLLER = General Secretary (general.secretary@eyce.org, +32 2 5106187)

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Training: Asking the Right Questions Cosultation, ToT (28/09-/10 2004, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Organised by: International Fellowship Of Reconciliation (IFOR) for a period of 13 days.
Description: *How can I adapt exercises from another country for use in my own community?
*Where can I find practical information on gender and nonviolence in my own language?
*How can we get men and boys involved in changing gender roles?

Like all good gatherings, the Asking the Right Questions international consultation on nonviolence training and gender raised more questions than it answered. More than 300 inquiries and application were received by the organizers of the consultation, indicating a high interest in the issue of gender-sensitive nonviolence training.

GOALS:
*Breaking the isolation of women nonviolence trainers
*Bridging the gaps between different cultures and social change movements (for example, global justice, youth, trade unions, development, etc.) and in particular between age generations of women trainers
*Supporting women trainers in developing methodologies, materials and modules to integrate gender into their trainings
*Exploring new ways of organizing and activism.

Asking the Right Questions was a collaborative effort between the International Fellowship of Reconciliation's (IFOR) Women Peacemakers Program and the War Resisters International (WRI).

It was clear from the large number of applications received that Asking the Right Questions was answering a need. During the consultation nonviolence trainers identified a need for more information and practical training materials (especially videos and DVDs, training and resource manuals with exercises) on gender, while gender trainers requested more education and training materials (including case studies on successful nonviolent campaigns and actions; success stories on women peacebuilders, especially from Asia and Africa; and training manuals) on nonviolence. The need for materials in local languages, reflecting local contexts that demystified gender was equally clear. The emphasis from all trainers was on the very practical and on the very participatory.

Most of the 35 women trainers from 25 countries who met at Asking the Right Questions shared a sense of pain and anger at the way women are treated within their organizations. This reflects the denial of women's rights within their larger societies. Peacebuilding, in their view, is inextricably linked to women's equality.

This premise was shared among participants from a wide variety of social movements and training backgrounds -- in peace education, youth work, human rights, anti-trafficking, gender, and nonviolence. In order to achieve women's equality empowerment is needed. During the consultation many trainers repeatedly pointed out a need to increase women's self-confidence, especially at the grassroots level, and particularly for rural women, girls and youth, women in villages and illiterate women.

This need to empower women has many implications for training. There were repeated observations on the need to include in all trainings concerns and experiences of women themselves; examples of successful women's peace actions, and women roles models. Women, as peace researcher Cynthia Cockburn has pointed out, learn from women's lives.

Gender was a confusing concept for many of the participants. Practical exercises and materials that explained how gender impacts and involves everyone -- women, men, girls and boys -- were essential. How to involve the entire community, and men and boys in particular, in the struggle for equality, was a major issue for participants. How to deal with men's sense of being threatened or disempowered by a change in the power balance between women and men? Many trainers had experiences where the struggle for women's empowerment had resulted in a sometimes violent male backlash. Gender also includes relationships among women themselves, and many participants raised questions about the extent of solidarity between women.
Reference person: Shelley Anderson = Programe officer WPP (s.anderson@ifor.org, +3172 512 3014)

Current Occupation:
Program Officer (postdoc position), Women and Violence, Cordaid, The Hague, The Netherlands (www.cordaid.nl)

Work Experience:
Work experience/Organisational skills
2005: Guest Lecturer, paper presented “The Challenges Facing the Educational & Scientific
Advancement of Somalia, Alexandria, Egypt
2005: Guest Speaker Conference ‘Pastoralism in the Horn of Africa: Surviving Against All Odds’,
PENHA Network, London
2005: Delegate and Speaker, paper presented “Harnessing the Potential of Somali Youth”, ‘World Youth Conference’, Edinburgh, Scotland
2005: Trainer & Facilitator Intercultural Communication, ‘Youth Fighting Aids/HIV’, Riga, Latvia
2005: Member International Planning Committee (IPC), ‘Gender and Religion’, EYCE, Greece
2005: Trainer & Facilitator European Workshop, ‘Celebrating Diversity in Culture and In Faith’,
EYCE, Warsaw, Poland
2004: ‘Trainer & Facilitator ‘Reconciliation as a Means for Sustainable Peace’ Training Seminar,
Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (EYCE) Strasbourg, France
2004: Member organizing team ‘International Seminar on ‘Nomadic and Pastoralist Education;
Improving access for Pastoralists and its Importance for Development’, NCDO, The Hague
2004: Member of International Planning Committee (IPC) ‘Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue-
Avoid conflicts’, Ecumenical Youth Council In Europe (EYCE), Greece
2004: Guest Speaker ‘Gender and Non-violence’ Consultation and Training for Women Trainers, Women Peace Makers Program, International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), Chiang Mai, Thailand
2002: Participant ‘International Politics in a Global Age’, summer course, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge (ECHO-AWARD)
2002: Participant Training Course ‘Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills fro Migrant Women’, Young Women from Minorities, (YWM), Youth Directorate Council of Europe, European

Voluntary work Experience/Organizational skills
2005: Project “Father Christmas in de Mosque”, Bridging gaps in Dutch society, National
2005: Member, VLAG-project, NEAG, Alternatives to Violence
2005: Organizing Team, International Conference “Africa Day”, Evert Vermeer Stichting, Utrecht
2005: Organizing Team, Amnesty International Film festival, Amsterdam
2005: Facilitator, Workshop Youth, Choices & Sexuality, Hilversum
2004: ‘Benefit for Bam’, fundraising multicultural festival for Bam (Iran), Leiden
2004: ‘Listening to the Voices Of the Diaspora Youth In The Netherlands’ Documentary for the
occasion of the African Student’s Annual Conference, UNOY, The Hague
2004: Trainer, Project Intercultural Communication Techniques for Dutch Public Workers, Cultural-
Connections, whole country
2004: Guest Speaker & Member Organizing team, Beijing+10 international Women’s Conference,
Utrecht
2003: Initiator & Chairwoman Somali women’s Association (SWA), Leiden
2003: Organizing committee, African Students conference, United Network of Young Peacebuilders
(UNOY), The Hague
2003: Organizing Team, International Conference “The Roles & Responsibilities of Diaspora Women
In Peace building and Conflict Prevention”, The Hague
2003: Office assistant, United Network of Young Peacebuilders, (UNOY), Purmerend
2003: Project ‘Erayo’, Dutch Language stimulating competition for Somali School kids & Debate:
‘What are the barriers Somali kids face in schools and what are the possible solutions?’ With over 160 guests including Dutch primary and secondary school teachers and directors. We also made a book of all poems and stories of participants of the competition.
2003: Facilitator Workshop ‘Life-story of a Refugee’, IFMSA, Medical students international
conference, “Refugees, Conflict and the AIDS Endemic”, Amsterdam
2003:
2003: Campaign ‘No Face Without Papers” campaign against putting refugees on
streets, Refugee Council Leiden, Leiden
2002: Volunteer Feeding assistant & computer coach, ‘Rijn & Vliet’ Home for the Elderly, Leiden
2002: Initiator Project “Poetry as a Medium of Expression”, For traumatize Refugee Children,
Dutch Refugee Camp, Leiderdorp
2002: Facilitator Workshops “Peace Education and Alternatives to Violence” in Primary Schools,
Whole Country
2002: Facilitator Workshop ‘History and Side-effects of FGM in Somalia: Understanding the True Motivations Underplaying the existence & Persistence of FGM in Africa’, the 8th Of March International Women’s Day, Leiden
2002: ‘Project ‘Mixed Schools’, Promoting Ethnic & Religious Diversity in Duitch High schools
Leiden, Leiden
2001-now: Volunteer Language & Homework Assistant Somali school children, Leiden

Educational Pathway:
Educational achievements
2005: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology, Leiden University
Aug, 2006: MA degree in Medical Anthropology/Development Sociology, (MA), Leiden University
2002-2005: Various Certificates & Diplomas in Peace & Conflict Studies, Disaster & Humanitarian Studies, various universities

2005: Understanding Women’s Human Rights, extra curriculum course, University of Amsterdam
2004: ‘Transitional Justice’, extra curriculum course, University of Utrecht, Utrecht
2004: Policymaking strategies in the third World, extra curriculum course, University of Leiden,
2004: ‘Youth Transforming Conflict’, extra curriculum training course, The Network
University, Amsterdam
2004: ‘Gender and Conflict Transformation’, extra curriculum training course, The Network
University, Amsterdam
2004: ‘Peace Journalism’, extra curriculum training course, Transcend Peace University
(TPU), Romania
2003: ‘Peace Education and Conflict Resolution’, extra curriculum course, University of Leiden,
2000: Computer Skills Course; Word, Excel, Filmmaker, PowerPoint


Additional Education and Participation at the International Level
2004: Participant International conference on Feminist Anthropology, University of Leiden
2004: ‘Reconciliation as a means for Sustainable Peace’ extra curriculum Training Seminar,
Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe (EYCE) Strasbourg, France (March-April)
2004: Member organizing team ‘International Seminar on ‘Nomadic and Pastrolist Education;
Improving access for Pastoralist and its Importance for Development’, NCDO, The Hague
2004: Member of International Planning Committee (IPC) ‘Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue-
Avoid conflicts’, Ecumenical Youth Council In Europe (EYCE), Greece (13-25/11)
2004: ‘Gender and Non-violence’ Consultation and Training for Women Trainers, Women
Peace Makers Program, International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), Chiang Mai, Thailand (29/09-11/10)
2003: Conflict Management and Mediation, Multicultural Women Peacemakers Netherlands,
Soesterberg
2003: Organizing team and presenter thematic meeting “Somali people In Action ”, FGM And
The Question of ‘Integration’ In Perspective, The Hague
2002: ‘International Politics in a Global Age’, summer course, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
(ECHO-AWARD

Outstanding achievements
2005: Trainer (Diversity & Intercultural Communication) European Youth Forum, Strasbourg France
2005: Board member, United Network of Young Peace builders, The Hague
2005: Editor & Member of Editorial Board, Dutch Association of African Studies Periodical, Leiden
2005: Special Reporter & Editorial Board Member, Afro Euro Hi-lite Magazine; The premier magazine of the African-European community
2004-‘05: Peace Education Trainer, Dutch Expert Center Alternatives to Violence, (NEAG), Utrecht
2004: One of the 20 nominated students for an interview and discussion for the “Humanity in Action” Summer program, Amsterdam (Trips to New York, Germany, France and Belgium)
2004: One of the chosen 15 for an interview for The “Leiden Harvard Model United Nations” (HMUN), University Of Leiden
2004: Winner ALERTYOUTH Award for documentary "Listening to the Voices of the Diaspora Youth in The Netherlands,
2003: Publication second poetry book: ‘Sounds of Laughter: an anthology of poems from the soul”,
The Kreet Publishers, Leiderdorp
2002: Winner ‘ECHO-Award’, for being an outstanding socially active foreign student by Minister
Hermans (Education, Culture and Science), The Hague
2001: Publication first poetry book: ‘Between Summon and Echo”, Multimedia Publishers, Leiden
2000: Winner ‘Rabobank Poetry Prize’, Rabo Bank Cultural Prize, Leiden

At the moment i am being trained/am training in these fields;
- Poetry as a Medium of Expression
- Drama to boost up self confidence
_-Biodiversity
- Eradication and Education of Harmfull cultural practices
- Conflict Mediation and Managament
- Conflict Transformation
- Reconciliation
- Intercultural and Inter-religious communication
- Gender and Conflict Transformation,
- Participation of ethnic women in Europe
- Diaspora youth, human rights and advocacy
- Forced Migration and the dispora
- Integrating of ethnic women
- Crisis Management
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights of ethnic women

Curriculum vitae:
CVSahroAhmed for Salto Youth.doc