1.      Do you feel that the goal of the Strategic Planning Meeting was met? (Number in parentheses indicates number of participant responses.)

 

Yes (12)

Somewhat (4)

No (0)

 

Explanations from those who answered “Yes”:

 

· However, evaluation would have been more effective if the general goal (or goals) of the meeting had been stated in writing.

· Successfully mapped out a strategy to make human rights education a priority in nation-states and at the UN level.

· All participants could collaborate together more effectively. I think that the outcomes/recommendations would be good opportunity to implement it.

· It provided an opportunity to think through the implications of HRE for teacher training.

· Yes. We think that more or less the process of strategic planning was launched in this meeting.

· As a first attempt to do such a meeting, I think it achieved a lot.

· Given the time constraints, I feel that the outcomes of the meeting were very good. They also provide a starting point for further discussions and planning.

· The workshop set out to design and agree on a strategic plan of action which it produced. More so it was able to agree on one common activity that will underpin all future activities, i.e., a research instrument.

 

 

Explanations from those who answered “Somewhat”:

 

· I think we worked towards our goals, but also got sidetracked at times with larger HRE issues.

· The final document seems (?) and forced – much redundancy of effort.

· We strayed a little to consider much larger goals. I worry that we diluted the conversation about in-service and pre-service training.

· Many useful ideas were explored, but more work needs to be done to identify clear priorities and concrete mechanisms for achieving a small number of practical objectives.

 

 

2.      Were the planned activities effective in helping us achieve our goal? 

 

Yes (9)

Somewhat (6)

No (0)

*No answer (1)

 

 

Explanations from those who answered “Yes”:

 

· Yes, the aspect of regional planning beside enrichment of other experience.

· Helped dialogue and clarification of issues.

· Sometimes the activities were not given clear direction – especially Day 3

· Especially, I am excited by group work and SWOT analysis. It was good tool to develop Global Recommendations on HRE in Teachers Training System.

· Helped participants to identify specific things (activities) that will strengthen HRE, and also build an effective regional network of educators.

· The activities were all designed and conducted towards the goal.

· Very strategic and a good way of taking the necessary steps.

 

 

Explanations from those who answered “Somewhat”:

 

· Yes, I think we had appropriate activities – except our drafting process needed to be done with an editor/editors (not all of us critiquing).

· The process can’t be finalized in this first meeting. The parties concerned are not part of the meeting like governmental bodies, UN agencies, etc.

· Many got in the way of time constraints. Too much time taken away from actually working on recommendations.

· It was interesting and informative to hear from colleagues from a variety of countries, however, the format did not maximize the achievement of goals. There were too many lengthy whole group processing sessions and it was difficult to stay focused for such long session.

· The grid session still needs to be improved.

· The amount of work was very ambitious, and the whole group meetings seemed at times to be not so effective. Perhaps there were other alternative activities that could have made things more creative instead of always breaking out into small groups, reconvening.

· I think this was firstly a small group and secondly a focus group which either way, participants were able to work on their own and in a big group. Although small groups are always preferable.           

 

 

3.      During this meeting, what activities did you consider most useful, and why?

 

· Networking – especially cross-region. Time for reflections. Stimulating discussion in small groups and one-to-one. SWOT.  Reception – met key educators who couldn’t attend meeting. Building on Chile contact.

· Most of the activities were useful, but especially the working groups.

· 1st regional planning session.

· Breaking into small groups and then reconvening – gave us a chance to flesh out ideas and then move forward together.

· Presentation of research pieces. Interaction and discussion with other participants.

· The Latin American Research project. And the small group strategic sessions.

· Group discussions. SWOT analysis. Blog on site.

· SWOT analysis. To identify activities that would result in recommendations being achieved.

· Regional discussions. Latin American Presentation. General discussion.

· Discussion in large group. Sharing of experiences.

· The second day session.

· Break-out session. Research presentation.

· It was most useful to network and talk in small groups in order to gain the perspectives of colleagues from different parts of the world and different professional backgrounds.

· Group brainstorming allowed for development of ideas.

· Small group meetings.

· The programme overall was effective.

 

4.      What are the one or two most important things that you will be taking with you from this meeting?

 

• Hopefully to realize consensus panel on Teacher Ed/HRE. Warm hospitality.
• The fact that we’re ready to mobilize many parties about this project. The support we got to launch a regional program. The relations/potential partnerships were great for the future of the work in the regions and internationally.
• Cross regional contacts. A better understanding about what sorts of things are happening in HRE around the world.
• HRE is a huge and complex area of work, and many different perspectives need to be included/considered when making HRE decisions/plans.
• It is important to plan and coordinate HRE actions with HRE organizations in various regions of the world (hopefully all regions). Collaborative work is more effective!
• Contacts made very valuable in sharing knowledge and projects.
• I am planning to disseminate emerging practices on HRE in other parts of the world. I will urge my colleagues to use HRE language with their teaching/research.
• Many new contacts and resources. Sense that globally HRE has many similarities in the problems experienced.
• Focus on HRE as a global issue. Focus on NGO role in facilitating process.
• Friendship. Networking. New inspiration.
• The information that was shared from the participants about their implementation of HRE. Sharing ideas.
• Importance of research on HRE.
• 1) New contacts and relationships that may lead to future collaboration and mutual support around HRE. 2) A better understanding of the global context for HRE and appropriate advocacy strategies.
• 1) Nothing will happen without concerted effort and commitment. 2) Without clear, focused definition, we spend a lot of time in parallel, non-interacting discussion.
• That there is a base of committed people who are interested in moving forward a research agenda on HRE.
• That we share common challenges regionally and globally. Encouraging that so many different individuals and organizations are working in the same area in such a committed way.

 

 

5.      Please rate the following items by circling the appropriate number. (Number in column indicates number of responses from participants).

 

Item	Poor	Acceptable	Good	Excellent
Overall logistical organization of meeting	0	4	9	3
Training facilities *1 participant rated training facilities between Acceptable and Good.	0	3	6	6
Communication of information to participants before the meeting	0	1	12	3
Support from organizers	0	0	10	6
Structure of daily sessions *1 participant rated structure of daily sessions between Poor and Acceptable.	0	2	8	5
Meeting methodology (i.e., strategic planning process) *1 participant rated meeting methodology between Poor and Acceptable.	0	2	9	4

 

 

6.      Please share any comments that would help us improve future initiatives such as this:

 

• More clarity of purpose and goals. More advance preparation by participants.
• It would have been useful to have documents in advance to review in preparation for the strategy sessions. More time was needed for small planning groups to flesh out plans and process final documents.
• Include more people from teacher education institutions.
• Less intense days and planned evening activities. High professional presentations, e.g., Latin America.
• Prior to such an event provide clear brief on objectives for meeting. Later would enable better preparation for meeting.
• I don’t have any comments. It was wonderful.
• Draft resolutions could be given to participants for overnight study.
• Let participants know about the event a little more in advance.
• I thought the conference was great – my only suggestions is to try to stick to the defined goals as much as possible – there are so many other things to discuss, but it’s important to stick to the goals.
• Editing the document with the group was not effective use of time.
• Think it would be good to come with some (very draft) recommendations (I know Kristi had some expectations). As a researcher, I didn’t feel this side of my expertise was used (my fault or structural question — don’t know). I didn’t think we made proper use of the reports we sent it.
• Clearly stated goals and objectives, use of diverse activities to work towards these goals.
• Would have been useful although the timeframe did not allow it to tease out what our understanding of HR is and in particular HRE and how we see it contributing to change and more open societies. Look at what different organizations and institutions are doing practically (i.e. in terms of lesson plans, programmes, etc). THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AND MY ORGANISATION THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.         

 

 

7.      Please offer some suggestions for ways of following-up with the results of this meeting:

 

• Regionally, we absolutely need an energetic support from the orgs. Of the first world to succeed to implement our programs. So, we should organize this in a better rational way.
• E-mailing. Using conference’s web page. Exchange documents and various materials produced by our institutions.
• Periodic up-dates by the U of M HRC would keep meeting interest and make this alive to our region.
• Continue the collaboration of the participants.
• Post on the www all of materials/outcomes and evaluation outcomes.
• Post on website. E-mail results to all participants.
• E-mail communications. Regional meetings.
• Create a listserv and maintain regular contact. Support each other. Continue to share experiences and good practices.
• To update the participants with the reaction of the association who receive the conclusions and the recommendations of the conference. To keep in contact for further action to implement the recommendation. To keep an Email forwarding information.
• Involve some participants in some projects by the organizers.
• 1) Form regional planning committees that can meet on a quarterly basis to further develop an implement action plans. 2) Post all relevant documents and plans to web and provide ongoing updates.
• Sharing through blog and/or web site. Focused assignments/commitments to pursue various aspects of report.
• E-mail to participants and setting up virtual meeting spaces where committees can work together to move forward. I will be disappointed if people cannot make the time to follow-up with their intentions stated at the conference.

 

 

8.      Please share any additional comments:

• Thank you very much for all the warm hospitality. I’ve enjoyed being in NY! And glad also to visit the School for Human Rights. Thank you.
• Thank you very much – it was great to meet such an involved and dedicated group of people.
• Let’s do it again.
• It’s important to get the web-site going immediately.
• No, thanks.
• Worthwhile to get HRE educators together from across the world. Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend. Looking forward to working together in future.
• Good job.
• Strategize on own to follow up on the outcome of one conference.
• It would be more effective to make this conference in a few sessions and not a single meeting.
• I commend Kristi and Kim for doing multiple tasks.
• Thank you for the opportunity to be involved in an important initiative!
• Thanks to Kristi and crew from MN as well as all those involved in preparing the meeting.
• It was great to be with an international audience who are committed to HRE.