Lady in Red: Back to Netherlands

So lazy get back to office… not really because of Lebaran holiday. Before that, a 3-week far away from office (and official things or mission!) was reaaaally great! I don’t mind even it was in Ramadhan and have to do fasting as a minority.

(1): The training

Got back to a ‘class’ for a short-course is nice and fun. Especially this course or training is not something directly related to office works/issues. I sometimes handle or manage training course projects, and now it’s good to be at the other side as participants.

The classmates are people who have same objective and same level position level as participant. Most of the trainer and experts are knowledgeable and knew how to get active participation. A combination of learning methods is used such as lectures, case studies, games, group discussion and presentations, literature, study, individual and group assignments, hands-on computer applications and work visits. Work visits were conducted to Nuffic, Den Haag and to EuropeAid External Co-operation, European Commission Office, Brussel.

The programme is on Project Identification, Development and Management (PDM) and consists of different modules as follows:
a. Project Management Cycle: identification, formulation, appraisal, planning, implementation and evaluation.
b. Project Management Tools: leadership, team dynamic, communication, negotiation and networking.
c. Project Management Reality: projects approval and evaluation from donors’ perspectives, practical examples of a Project Manager, management of institutional development projects, donors coordination and work visits

Sharing experiences among classmates and friends is the most valuable. We are 25 participants from 18 different countries, from different social, professional and educational background. Not only got additional knowledge, but also learnt and practiced on communication, negotiation, coordination, presentation and networking.

Sure the thought, issues, updates and discussion related to development projects were challenging and interesting. Many of my classmates really work with projects at national or local level in the governments or NGOs, and deal with development problems. As my work now is not really into ‘development’ in that sense, this programme reminds me why I love development – even I’m not expert on it. It’s really refreshing my mind to think again and ‘back’ to DEVELOPMENT.