Peace Corps appropriate community technology/Volunteer in Development Part 2: Women in Development

The discussion panel should consist of from 3 to 5 Third World women. There are several ways to go about forming the discussion panel. If the training program is outside the United States, it may pose no problem because you can call on staff and/or friends. Programs within the United States may require your contacting a nearby university. Most universities have a foreign student office and are generator accustomed to responding to requests for foreign student speakers. After you have identified the panel members, meet with them ahead of time, briefing them on the session objectives and procedures. Also explain to them that they will be asked to speak on the topics related to Third World women identified in Part I of Women in Development (See Phase III: Session 19). It is important that the panel members understand they will be asked to speak informally for up to ten minutes at the beginning of the session. Be certain to allow sufficient time for them to prepare.

To prepare for this activity you will need five volunteers from among the participants to act as discussion leaders/facilitators. Remind the volunteers of the topics identified in the previous women in development session (Phase III: Session 19). Explain that each of them should select a chapter from Huston's Third World Women Speak Out ant prepare a brief (up to 10 minute) report on the chapter, highlighting any situations that refer to any of the women in development topics. Also, explain that during the session they will be asked to facilitate a 10 minute discussion on their reports. Mention that they should focus the discussion on what role might be played as Peace Corps Volunteers in trying to improve the situation of women. Inform them that time will be set aside at the end of the session for feedback on their facilitation skills.

Repeat the process for each discussion leader/facilitator.

The four climates are: Hot Humid (i.e., Miami, Florida; Monrovia, Liberia) Hot Arid (i.e., Phoenix, Arizona; Ouagadugu, Upper Volta) Temperate (i.e., New York, New York; Santiago, Chile) Cool (i.e., Grand Rapids, Michigan LaPaz, Bolivia) Ask if any of the participants have lived in the cities listed by each climate. Have participants name characteristics of indigenous architecture for each one of the climates. Variables would include: type of construction, materials, insulation, ventilation, solar heating, shading, natural cooling, vegetation, etc.

Circulate among the groups and help with design, drawing, discussion, etc.

Briefly discuss each design at the end of each presentation.

Discuss the difficulty of designing a house in only 30 minutes. Refer the participants to the texts listed under "Resources." Ask the group, "If you have the opportunity to build your own house in-country, how would it differ (if at all) from existing local homes in the U. S.?

Four hours of preparation time was allotted for these presentations in Phase IV: Session 10.

You should point out that prior to beginning the presentations, it will be necessary to establish an order in which the presentations will occur, set time limits, allot time at the end of each presentation for questions and feedback and name a timekeeper. Explain that the basic format for each presentation should be: To set up any necessary materials, devices, visual aids, etc. To explain to the audience the role that they should be assuming, e.g., villagers, university professors, host country agency representatives, Peace Corps trainees, etc. To give the presentation To ask for questions or further clarification To ask for feedback regarding NFE techniques and facilitation skills.

The feedback activity at the end of each presentation is important because it will help participants improve their skills at facilitating presentations. You should provide some focus for this portion of each presentation by asking the following questions: What did you think was the most effective part of the presentation? The least? What NFE techniques were used? Was the audience invited to participate? Do you think the presentation was clear? Could it be used in a village setting in the Third World? What are some examples of effective facilitation skills that were demonstrated? What could have been done to make the presentation better?

You should center this discussion around some of the following questions: Were all or most of the phase's objectives met? What was the most important thing each participant learned during the phase? What did you like the least about the phase? How did the group dynamics work during the phase? How were problems solved during the design and construction sessions? Did the problem-solving change during the phase? What do people think of solar water heating as an appropriate technology?