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UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop
7-11 September - 2009, Mille Collines Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Acknowledgements This workshop was organised by UNHCR Rwanda, and facilitated by UNHCR HQ, Care International. Gratitude must be extended to UNHCR Rwanda for recognising the importance of environmental management in its operations – particularly the Representative - Annette R. Nyekan, Senior Programme Officer Y. Sakor, Environment Officer, F. Abiyingoma and lastly, to Ms T. Girma (Community Services Officer and workshop logistician). This workshop would not have been possible without the support of V. Ndibalema – Environment Unit (OSTS) – UNHCR HQ, Jock Baker – CARE International and facilitators from ProAct Network (under the auspices of CARE International). Finally, appreciation should similarly be extended to the participants for their commitment, lively discussions and for creating a friendly and positive learning environment. Photo credits - David Stone, ProAct Network 2009.
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 DAY 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
FORMAL OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP...................................................................................................................... 8 SESSION 1: WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW ............................................................................................. 8 SESSION 2: UNHCR’S ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ....................................................................................... 9 SESSIONS 3 & 4: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN REFUGEE SITUATIONS: KEY ISSUES................................... 9
Activity 1 - Brainstorming exercise: Defining the term “environment” .......................................................... 9 Activity 2 - Group work: Identification and prioritisation of environmental issues prevailing in the Rwandan (and Burundian) refugee camps....................................................................................................... 10 Activity 3 - Group work: Environmental management activities / constraints / recommendations............. 10
SESSIONS 5 & 6: MAINSTREAMING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN: ENTRY POINTS, ACTIONS AND TOOLS.................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Activity 4 – Group work: Summary of responses presented in plenary ......................................................... 13 DAY 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
SESSION 7: FORESTRY AND COMMUNITY FORESTS ................................................................................................ 14 Pertinent questions and issues to consider ...................................................................................................... 14
SESSION 8: DOMESTIC ENERGY .............................................................................................................................. 14 Methods of energy-saving ................................................................................................................................. 15 Fuel-efficient stoves........................................................................................................................................... 15 Points to consider when introducing fuel-efficient stoves............................................................................... 15
SESSION 9: SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE .............................................................................................................. 15 Key issues ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
SESSION 10: SOIL, WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER-INDUCED HAZARDS ........................ 16 Key issues ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
SESSION 11: RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (REA) AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLANNING (CEAP) TOOL INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 16
DAY 3 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SESSION 12: CEAP TOOL EXERCISE AT GIHEMBE REFUGEE CAMP ....................................................................... 17
DAY 4 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 SESSION 13: PRESENTATION OF CEAP TOOL EXERCISES FROM GIHEMBE ........................................................... 17
Transect walk exercise ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Community mapping exercise ........................................................................................................................... 18 Root-cause analysis exercise ............................................................................................................................ 19 Comments on the CEAP tool group exercises ................................................................................................. 19
SESSION 14: GROUP WORK - DEVELOPING OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES FOR SELECTED ISSUES (DEFORESTATION, AGRICULTURE AND LAND USE PLANNING AND WATER/EROSION MANAGEMENT).................. 20
DAY 5 .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 SESSION 15: PRESENTATION OF GROUP WORK FROM PREVIOUS SESSION ............................................................. 20 SESSION 16: SUMMARY OF WORKSHOP, EVALUATION AND CLOSURE OF WORKSHOP.......................................... 20 KEY RECOMMENDATION FROM THE WORKSHOP .................................................................................................... 20
ANNEX A: SUMMARY OF PARTICIPANT’S WORKSHOP EVALUATION ........................................... 21 ANNEX B: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................. 27
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Acronyms CEAP Community Environmental Action Plan FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation IGA Income Generating Activity IP Implementing Partner REA Rapid Environmental Assessment REMA Rwandan Environmental Management Agency UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees WFP World Food Programme
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Executive summary Background Raising awareness among UNHCR and related agencies on environmental issues is key to ensuring that environmental protection is mainstreamed into UNHCR operations. To this end, the Operational Solutions and Transition Section (OSTS) of UNHCR convened the Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop in Kigali, Rwanda in September 2009. Over thirty participants attended the workshop, including UNHCR, local and national government representatives, implementing partner staff and refugees. Workshop aims and objectives The broad aim of this non-technical workshop was to raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of all organisations involved in refugee operations vis a vis environmental management. The specific objectives of the workshop included:
• Understanding UNHCR and government policies and supporting services in terms of environmental management
• Exploring environmental issues / challenges facing refugee operations in Rwanda
• Building technical knowledge on possible environmental interventions • Finding entry points to mainstream environmental activities • Understanding the role of Community Environmental Action Planning as a tool
for environmental management Workshop format The workshop was facilitated by OSTS, with additional facilitation from CARE International. The workshop was interactive in format – the main aim being that the participants shared their experiences, challenges and learned from one another. In addition to classroom based activities (focusing heavily on group-work) the workshop included a site visit to Gihembe refugee camp in order to provide first-hand experience in using the capacity built during the workshop. Recommendations The recommendations presented reflect responses in the participant evaluation form (see Annex A) in addition to further observations from facilitators.
• Further capacity-building is required in order to conduct effective Community Environmental Action Planning
• The participant learning materials should have been modified in order to reflect the specific sessions (although the participants appreciated the materials)
• Comprehensive translations into the different languages are needed in future workshops
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
As a result of the workshop, a national Community Environmental Action Planning workshop is being planned, and will be held before the end of 2009.
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop
7-11 September - 2009, Mille Collines Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda
Introduction Effective environmental management is a key area of UNHCR refugee operations. Not only does effective environmental management support UNHCR’s policies – particularly in terms of protection –, but it also contributes to general refugee well-being and provides an entry-point for collaboration with refugee-hosting governments and local authorities and communities. In order to build capacity within refugee operations – UNHCR, implementing partners and government authorities –, UNHCR’s Operational Solutions and Transition Section (OSTS) has developed a training workshop package on environmental management. This training package was used, with modifications, for this workshop in Kigali, Rwanda. The content includes: • understanding the impact of refugee operations on the environment; • UNHCR’s role in addressing environmental impacts; • environmental assessment tools, processes and strategies; and • community environmental action planning. Participants attended the workshop from UN agencies, the government (Rwandan Environmental Management Agency), UNHCR’s implementing partners, local authority representatives and refugees. Two participants working in Burundi refugee operations also attended the workshop. The following sections of this report reflect the proceedings of the workshop. The technical content of the sessions are not included in this report, since they followed the training package developed by UNHCR. The learning objectives of the workshop are included in addition to participant feedback, discussions and group activities.
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
DAY 1
Formal opening of the workshop UNHCR – Annette R. Nyekan, Representative The UNHCR country Representative opened the workshop. After expressing thanks to the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR HQ and the workshop facilitators, the Representative stressed the importance of supporting sound environmental management planning and implementation in the country’s refugee operations. Sound and sustainable environmental management practices and approaches are particularly important in this context since Rwanda is a small, densely populated country where the majority of people are heavily dependent on local natural resources. The issue of deforestation and the need for firewood were highlighted as being some of the most important challenges facing both nationals and refugee operations. The Representative also expressed her hopes that the workshop would build national and local capacity to address key environmental issues affecting both refugees and local communities, and thanked the participants for attending the workshop.
Session 1: Workshop objectives and Overview This session provided an opportunity to record participant’s expectations of the workshop, to introduce the overall objectives of the workshop and to explain the agenda. Participants came from a variety of backgrounds – some working in environment / refugee camp management, others from local and national authorities, implementing partner staff and refugee representatives. The workshop facilitators made the workshop as participatory as possible as a means to ensure that those with little exposure to this type of learning of environmental issues and approaches that might be taken were not excluded from the workshop proceedings. Workshop learning objectives… as stated in the workbook……
1. To describe the potential environmental impacts of refugee populations 2. To identify UNHCR’s role in addressing these impacts 3. To describe the environmental assessment tools and processes 4. To identify several environmental management strategies 5. To prepare a community environmental action plan
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Participant expectations
• Understand the environmental impacts of humanitarian operations • Understand environmental impacts of refugee camps • To be able to develop environmental projects • Learn about the CEAP process • To identify potential partners / donors for environmental activities • Identify most appropriate mechanisms for the implementation of environmental activities • To be able to apply what has been learnt in the workshop • To understand the role of HCR in terms of the environment • To find durable solutions to environmental problems at camp level • Exchange experiences with other participants • To understand the relation between refugee environmental issues and climate change
Session 2: UNHCR’s role in environmental issues Learning objectives
1. Explain why the environment is a priority issue for UNHCR 2. Identify basic strategies to manage the environment 3. Describe the services that UNHCR provides in support of environmental
management
Sessions 3 & 4: Environmental management in refugee situations: Key issues Learning objectives
1. Identify key issues/problems/ concerns regarding environmental management in refugee camps
2. Describe the impact that refugees have had on the environment 3. Identify existing and possible future projects to address environmental
concerns
Activity 1 - Brainstorming exercise: Defining the term “environment” • Soil, water, vegetation, animals that surround us • Living and non-living things around us • Natural resources upon which humans are dependent for life • The things surrounding us that humans interact with / affect
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Activity 2 - Group work: Identification and prioritisation of environmental issues prevailing in the Rwandan (and Burundian) refugee camps
Priority environmental issues, by camp Kibiza camp Gihembe camp Nybiheke camp Burundi
Erosion Situation of camp (top of colline)
Water erosion – gulley formation
Deforestation
Firewood Erosion Deforestation (construction and fuel) and firewood availability
Erosion
Community participation
Lack of space for refugee population
Road erosion – relief operations causes this
Lack of adequate construction materials
Excessive use of wood for construction
Animals kept in the camp Groundwater pollution (high water table) from latrines
Availability of firewood
Newly transferred refugees living in shared accommodation for extended period
Co-ordinating all partners and local community for environmental activities
Activity 3 - Group work: Environmental management activities / constraints / recommendations
Kibiza camp
Activities being undertaken
• Fuel-efficient stoves • Community participation • Erosion control / drainage • Deforestation • Latrine construction • Separation of garbage (pits for biodegradables)
Possible additional activities
• Improve drainage • Biodegradable recycling • Dischargeable latrines • Promotion of durable shelter construction materials • Use excess water for irrigation / micro-gardens
Constraints to correcting environmental problems
• Physical location (soil, relief, geology) • Attitude of beneficiaries • Finances • Lack of co-ordination between all bodies working on
environment issues • Human resources
Recommendations to overcome constraints
• Resource allocation for dischargeable latrines • More land allocation • Behaviour change (IEC strategy)
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Gihembe camp
Activities being undertaken
• Nurseries • Tree planting • Rainwater harvesting • Community mobilisation • Fuel-efficient stoves • Terracing
Possible additional activities
• Transfer refugees or extend camp • Resource mobilisation (human) • Capacity building
Constraints to correcting environmental problems
• Limited resources • Lack of concern for environmental protection by refugees • Domestic animal keeping – seedling protection
Recommendations to overcome constraints
• EIC for environmental protection • Improved co-ordination between partners working in
environment
Nybiheke camp
Activities being undertaken
• Erosion remediation • Fuel-efficient stoves • Rehabilitation of road • Installation of mobile, eco-latrines
Possible additional activities
• Extension of camp • Plant soil-securing species • Nurseries • Refugee sensitisation
Constraints to correcting environmental problems
• Integrating environmental protection into District plans • Community participation
Recommendations to overcome constraints
• Develop mechanism to finance District agencies re: environmental activities
• Extend camp • Increase resources
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Burundi
Activities being undertaken
• Distributed 2,000 fuel-efficient stoves • Sensitisation re: wood use • Introduced briquettes • Durable shelter materials • Fenced animals
Possible additional activities
• Environmental assessment • CEAP • Indigenous tree plantations • Purchase dry wood • Rehabilitation of closed camps
Constraints to correcting environmental problems
• Cultural attitudes of refugees • No co-ordination between agencies • Lack of understanding of politics of GOB • Funds • Expertise
Recommendations to overcome constraints
• Appoint environmental officer • Environmental awareness-raising • Improve documentation on environmental activities
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Sessions 5 & 6: Mainstreaming environmental management in: Entry points, actions and tools Learning objective
1. To identify entry point, actions and tools in environmental management
Activity 4 – Group work: Summary of responses presented in plenary
Entry points Actions Tools Local district environmental plans
Joint Action Plan Sensitisation activities
COP Involve refugees in planning and implementation / community work
Existing environmental tools
Joint Action Forum Environmental IEC (e.g. “environmental committees”)
Change in attitude
Regular camp meetings Joint Action Plan Environment clubs at schools Local district environmental plans
Involve refugees in planning and implementation / community work
World refugee day
Camp committee
Sensitisation Harness Rwanda community work (Saturday afternoons)
Sitreps Collaboration at District level and local authority level
Joint Assessment Mission Participatory assessment
Co-ordination and refugee meetings
Community level meetings
Gaps (included by Kibiza group):
• Limited collaboration – district / humanitarian actors • Limited collaboration between UN agencies and refugees • Human and financial resources
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
DAY 2
Session 7: Forestry and community forests Learning objectives
2. To understand what is meant by the term “forest” 3. To identify at least three different types of forest 4. To plan forestry projects
Defining the term “forest”: Participant feedback 1. Area of trees (at least 10m high), larger than 0.5 hectare (a definition from one participant) 2. Another definition – trees 6m high, and an area where at least 10% of the area is occupied by trees and maybe shrubs 3. A group of trees or shrubs (no reference to height or geographical area) 4. A group of trees containing more than one species Conclusion: The term “forest” appears to have different definitions. It was stressed that there are different types of forests – national, district, community and individually owned forests. Any tree-planting should be cognisant of land ownership, particularly when camps are closed, which is also a time when land and resource rights often become an issue.
Pertinent questions and issues to consider
• Why are we planting trees? • What species of trees do/should we plant? • Who is responsible for planting and caring for them? • Who decides to plant the trees? Communities must be consulted at the
planning stage if such activities are to be sustainable. • Acknowledge that not everybody wants to be involved in such projects – only
donate seedlings to those expressing a wish to be involved. • Awareness-raising is an important component that must be included in such
projects. • How are seedlings to be protected from domestic livestock?
The importance of community consultation and involvement, awareness-raising, technical expertise, benefits and so forth should be taken into consideration when planning a tree-planting initiative.
Session 8: Domestic energy Learning objectives
1. Identify alternative methods to reduce fuel consumption 2. Describe fuel-efficient stove designs
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
3. Identify a range of energy-saving practices 4. Identify alternative fuels to wood
Methods of energy-saving • Drying wood • Cooking practices • Bulk cooking • Communal cooking
Fuel-efficient stoves A number of types of fuel-efficient stoves are used in refugee camps in Rwanda and Burundi. They range from mud designs (double and single), to metal stoves which use charcoal as the fuel source. While introducing fuel-efficient stoves is a positive step towards energy-saving, it is important to acknowledge that fuel-efficient stoves alone may not necessarily result in energy-saving. The introduction of such stoves must be supported by extension activities promoting energy-saving cooking practices, stove repair, and the use of both approaches within institutions (e.g. clinics, nutritional feeding programmes).
Points to consider when introducing fuel-efficient stoves • It is important to take into account the cultural practices of the beneficiaries
when selecting the stove-type. Stove selection should be done with communities, and involve the presentation of a number of stoves and demonstrations with the communities.
• Ensure that the stove is the same size as the pots for best efficiency. • Fuel-efficient stoves can save between 15-20 per cent of firewood assuming
that stoves are used correctly and that fuel-efficient cooking practices are used.
• Communal cooking places – eases firewood distribution, and provides focal area for sensitisation / training.
• It is important to consider institutional fuel-efficient stoves for schools, clinics and nutritional feeding centres in particular.
• Baseline studies into wood use / practices are particularly important when wood is supplied to a camp prior to introducing fuel-efficient stoves, but claims about energy-saving must be based on existing, comparative standard tests for efficiency.
Session 9: Small-scale agriculture Learning objectives
1. Describe what is meant by land use design and small-scale agriculture 2. Determine the suitability of permaculture in refugee camps
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
3. Identify tools and techniques for land use design and small-scale agriculture / kitchen gardens in refugee settings
Key issues • Land use planning should reflect the provision of opportunities for small-scale
agriculture / kitchen gardens • Effective land use planning reflects a number of sectors in refugee situations
(including agriculture, water and sanitation, livelihood development and environmental management).
• Introducing small-scale agriculture and kitchen gardens may be problematic in the Rwandan camps due to the high population density and limited space around shelters.
Session 10: Soil, water conservation and management of water-induced hazards Learning objectives
1. To describe the consequences and hazards relating to poor water management
2. To identify possible remedial interventions for gully erosion 3. To describe effective water management practices
Key issues • Channelling water is insufficient on its own. • The rate of water percolation is increased by reducing the velocity of the water
being channelled. • Physical planning should incorporate effective water management in order to
provide a safe environment for both refugees and local communities. • Remedial interventions require expertise and can be expensive. • Where relevant, water management designs should extend beyond camp
boundaries, to the local communities. • Soil erosion and run-off can be mitigated by the planting of trees / vegetation.
Session 11: Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) and Community Environmental Action Planning (CEAP) tool introduction Learning objectives:
1. To define and describe what a REA is 2. To introduce the concept of CEAPs 3. To introduce selected CEAP tools for use in the following day’s field day
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
An introduction to selected CEAP tools: • Community mapping • Transect walks • Seasonal calendar • Root cause analysis
An overview of the process of CEAP development was presented. Activity 5 - Group work: Planning for using selected CEAP tools in the field The participants were divided into their working groups for the following day’s field visit. Each group was assigned a CEAP tool for use in Gihembe camp as follows: • Nybiheke participants – Transect walk • Kibiza participants – Community mapping • Burundi participants– Root-cause analysis Gihembe members worked with each of the groups in order to assist and support the fieldwork.
DAY 3
Session 12: CEAP tool exercise at Gihembe refugee camp
DAY 4
Session 13: Presentation of CEAP tool exercises from Gihembe Learning objective:
1. To understand how different CEAP tools assist in environmental management planning
2. To describe how selected CEAP tools are used in the field In this section, the CEAP tool findings are presented visually, using photographs taken from each group.
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Transect walk exercise
Community mapping exercise
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Root-cause analysis exercise
Comments on the CEAP tool group exercises All group exercises were extremely impressive. Two groups took a series of digital photographs to embellish the mapping work recorded on paper. One also used a Geographical Positioning System for more accurate locations and distances travelled. The group working on the root-cause analysis exercise faced more challenges than the other groups, since the techniques focuses upon participatory approaches to guide discussions and “tease out” information from the group. The session was concluded by summarising the exercise as follows:
• They are complimentary techniques that allow verification of issues • These techniques contribute to develop an overall impression of the key
environmental issues at the camp • How they contribute to the development of a CEAP Sessions 14&15:
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Additional presentation / discussion on agriculture and energy Due to time constraints earlier in the workshop, further discussions relating to both agriculture and energy were convened. This provided an opportunity for participants to explore these themes in greater detail.
Session 14: Group work - Developing objectives and activities for selected issues (deforestation, agriculture and land use planning and water/erosion management). Learning objective
1. To understand the importance of developing objectives and activities for environmental action planning
DAY 5
Session 15: Presentation of group work from previous session
Session 16: Summary of workshop, evaluation and closure of workshop
Key recommendation from the workshop Participants expressed a wish that further capacity building is provided in order to facilitate the development of CEAPs at all camps (including Burundi).
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Annex A: Summary of participant’s workshop evaluation UNHCR Environmental Management Workshop Evaluation
This section presents a summary of responses from the workshop participants, using the evaluation form included in the participants’ handbook. The evaluation form is included at the end of this annex. Table 1: Content and delivery of the workshop Statement Strongly
agree Agree Neither
agree nor disagree
Dis-agree
Strongly dis-agree
1. Subject matter was adequately covered
11 14 1
2. Content was suitable for my background and experience
17 8 2
3. Programme was well structured
18 6 2 2
4. Programme was well-paced
15 9
5. Handouts were relevant
17 10
6. Participants were encouraged to take part
21 6
7. Training met my objectives
14 11 1
8. Programme was relevant to my work
19 12 1
9. I would recommend this workshop to my colleagues
20 5 1
The boxes highlighted in yellow indicate the most common response. This table indicates that participants strongly agreed with the statements listed in all but one instance (where the most common response was that they “agreed”). Table 2: Organisational / administrative of the workshop Excellent Good Average Fair Poor 1. Meeting space 16 8 2. Meals / refreshments 14 9 2 3. Overall training organisation, administration and scheduling
18 5 1
The responses above suggest that participants felt that the hotel, administrative arrangements and scheduling were excellent. Table 3: Duration of workshop Suitable Too short Too long Workshop length 17 8 1
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
The majority of the responses indicate that the duration of the workshop is suitable. Whilst some participants felt that the duration was too short, this could be due to a lack of clarity regarding selected workshop objectives and their own expectations. The individual that felt the workshop was too long was a senior UN staff member which may go some way to explaining his/her response. Table 4: Workshop participant numbers Just enough Too few Too many Number of participants 20 6 A considerable majority of the responses suggest that the participant numbers were appropriate for the workshop. Participant feedback The following section reflects responses to open-ended. A summary of the responses are recorded in the right-hand column of the table. The number presented in parentheses represents the number of participants who recorded that particular response. Table 5: Participant feedback
Participant’s comments Energy (3) Deforestation / forestry (3) CEAPs (10) Field visit (2) Technical sections (1) Small-scale agriculture (3) Preparation for field visit (1)
Which topics received TOO LITTLE TIME?
Mainstreaming (2)
Participant’s comments Small-scale agriculture (3) Field visit (3) Energy (2) Technical sections (2) CEAPs (1)
Which topics received TOO MUCH TIME?
Soil / water conservation / management (1)
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
How could the workshop be improved?
Participant’s comments Information on environmental protection (2) Improve equality in translation (1) More time for CEAPs (4) Include budgetary aspects of planning (1) Provide more time to consider energy (1) Involve local authorities (1) Disseminate training materials prior to workshop (1) Run training of trainers workshop (1)
Include Refugee Committees(1)
Participant’s comments We would like more training (7)
Any other comments?
We need specialists to assist with CEAP development (4)
It is likely that the variation in responses stems from the professional backgrounds of the participants. Table 6: Overall rating of the workshop Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Overall rating of workshop
10 16
The above responses indicate that all participants felt that the workshop merited a rating of either excellent or very good. Summary of observations
• The standard UNHCR Environmental Management training handbook should have been modified in advance to reflect the actual sessions that were held (as they deviated from the handbook).
• The workshop objectives should similarly have been revised.
• Participant learning materials should have been made available to participants
prior to the workshop, along with the agenda.
• The participant learning materials should have been modified to reflect the content of the workshop, hence they would have been more practical
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
reference materials. Participants would probably have benefitted more from more direction and cross referencing to the handbooks.
• Facilitators should have been sent the training materials at least one week
ahead of the workshop in order to allow for comprehensive preparation.
• The use of English, French and Swahili in the workshop meant that (inevitably) some issues / discussions were not explained fully to all participants. This sometimes hampered plenary discussions. Workshops should by preference use a single language.
• The number of participants should be kept at a reasonable level. Although
numbers declined as the week progressed, it would have been better if the original workshop started off with 23 people, as it ended.
• The hotel logistics, workshop administration and logistics were good.
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Workshop Evaluation Form
UNHCR Environmental Management Workshop Surname (Optional): _________________________ First Name: ___________ Functional Title: __________________________________________________ Duty Station or Office Location: ______________________________________ Organisation: ____________________________________________________ Workshop dates: 7 – 11 September 2009 Venue: Kigali, Rwanda
PLEASE CIRCLE TO WHAT EXTENT YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neither Agree
nor Disagree
Disagree Strongly
Disagree
1. Subject matter was adequately covered 5 4 3 2 1
2. Content was suitable for my background and experience 5 4 3 2 1
3. Programme was well-structured 5 4 3 2 1
4. Programme was well-paced 5 4 3 2 1
5. Handouts were relevant 5 4 3 2 1
6. Participants were encouraged to take an active part 5 4 3 2 1
7. Training met my individual objectives 5 4 3 2 1
8. Programme was relevant to my job 5 4 3 2 1
9. I would recommend this programme to my colleagues 5 4 3 2 1
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
PLEASE RATE THE FOLLOWING, AS APPLICABLE 5 = Excellent 4 = Good 3 = Average 2 = Fair 1 = Poor (Circle your answer)
1. Meeting Space 5 4 3 2 1 2. Meals/Refreshments 5 4 3 2 1 3. Overall training organisation, administration and scheduling 5 4 3 2 1
1. Workshop length: correct too short too long 2. Number of participants: just enough too few too many 3. Which topics or sessions received TOO LITTLE TIME? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. Which topics received TOO MUCH TIME? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
5. Do you have any suggestions that could improve this workshop? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
6. Any other comments? ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
7. What is your overall rating of this workshop? Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
UNHCR Environmental Management in Refugee Situations Learning Workshop. 7th to 11th September, 2009. Kigali, Rwanda.
Annex B: List of Participants Name Organisation/Location E-mail Habyarimana Eric Karongi District [email protected]
Habiyakare Sylvestre ARC - Nyabiheke [email protected] Sharangabo P. Damnien Kageyo Sector Nyaragabo Emile Gicumbi District [email protected] Munyabungino Augustin UNHCR-Byumba [email protected] Kyalililagwa Katanga Kiziba Camp Nyirabaforoma Serephine Nyabiheke Camp Adjahossou Anicet UNHCR-Burundi [email protected] Allard Philippe NRC - Burundi [email protected] Dos Santos Manuel UNHCR- Kibuye [email protected] Haguma Ildephonse MINALOC-Nyabiheke [email protected] Shakabago Marc MINALOC-Nyabiheke [email protected] Rudasingwa Michael Gatsibio District [email protected] Cisse Ndeye Marie UNHCR-Kibuye [email protected] Nkurunzizi Innocent ARC-Kibuye [email protected] Safari Bagina Theophile Karongi District [email protected] Karagire Gonzague CNR- Kiziba [email protected] Nsanzabandi Faustin Refugee Representative - Gihembe Habyarimana Jean Marie. ARC - Gihembe [email protected] Urujeni Consolee Gatsibio Sector [email protected] Ibrahima Kebe ARC Kigali [email protected] Abiyingoma Francios UNHCR-Kigali [email protected] Rwasamanzi Deo UNHCR-Kigali [email protected] Tumukunde M. Providence CNR-Kigali [email protected] Muhayimana Janviere NAFA -Kigali [email protected] Dederi Mireille CNR-Kigali [email protected] Roy Brooke UNEP -Kigali Tigist Girma UNHCR-Kigali [email protected] Niyonzima Steven UNIDO-Kigali [email protected] Henri Esseqqat UNDP-Kigali [email protected] Diolace Kayiranga WFP-Kigali Safari Emmanuel WFP-Kigali Nsanzimana Djuma REMA Kigali [email protected] Martin Grandjean FAO Kigali [email protected] Linn Borgen Nilsen FAO Kigali [email protected]