| Leadership Development Projects |
TOMORROW'S LEADERS: Training for community leaders in the Leadership Capacity Building Project. |
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one of the main aims of Mekong Minority Foundation is to work with village and rural communities to empower people to become competent leaders. The Leadership Capacity Building Project focuses on equipping a new generation of leaders among hilltribe communities. Funded by Tearfund UK , the project uses a ‘bottom-up' |
approach, in which tomorrow's leaders are trained and mentored to tackle the challenges and issues confronting their communities. Mekong Minority Foundation has identified this capacity building approach as one its primary objectives. It defines ‘capacity building' as enabling organizations and individuals to solve their own community problems through management and skill acquisition. |
MMF's work
Skill acquisition takes place through MMF facilitating leadership training courses, exposure trips and workshops for prospective community leaders. During the past year, more than 60 people from three different partner organizations have participated in these training workshops. The goal of MMF staff is to enable the community leaders to be able to solve and manage issues within their community without relying on outside assistance or intervention. The LCB project is also touching neighboring countries, Laos and Myanmar . In-Training workshops are arranged several times a year, with a variety of workshops for prospective leaders. |
Professional development
MMF also attempts to assist building the leadership capacity of its staff through routine assessments, training and workshops. Many of the staff are currently enrolled in vocational and educational programs to expand their abilities and skills to help others .
MMF also works closely with various partner organizations to help enable them to fulfill their own mission and goals.
It is through building the capacity and leadership skills of local people that MMF is able to aid in the facilitation and promotion of economic, social and spiritual growth among minority peoples in northern Thailand and the Mekong sub-region. The work ultimately strengthens communities. |
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One of the most defining characteristics of MMF is its dedication to being relevant to communities. This is achieved by facilitating extensive community involvement when planning seminars and workshops.
Communities are surveyed and interviewed before workshops so that training sessions can be specifically tailored to meet the community's needs. Individuals are asked what they would like to learn and discuss so that staff can train and equip them in areas important to them. For the following year there are several seminars planned covering a range of issues that have been raised by community members. |
