The Training of Trainers Manual - UNFPA

Day 2
activities. The trainer points out that although the teaching may cover sensitive
issues in some detail, it is in no way intended to tell people how to live their lives.
These sessions
are meant to
Word sense
give people
information
Values represent what a person appreciates and esteems. If young people
with which to
have learned to value their health, for example, they will be more likely to delay
make educated having sex or to practise safe sex.
decisions and
to build their
Attitudes are a person’s feelings towards something or someone. In the
capacity to help context of AIDS, tolerance of different lifestyles, rejection of discrimination
and protect others and prejudice, as well as compassion and care, are very important attitudes.
on the road to
health.
Most of our notions about human sexuality are influenced by sexual and gender
norms, as well as by family and cultural messages that we received while growing
up. It is important to recognize that our religious or non-religious upbringing may
also play a significant role in our personal attitudes towards peer education and
the issues with which it deals. All trainers and peer educators should therefore
examine their own values and attitudes.
Attitudes and values are not easy to teach or to measure. However, there are
techniques, such as group discussion, case studies, or ‘values-voting’, that can help
explore and influence people’s attitudes and values. Another technique is personal
example – peer educators can act as ‘role models’. If, for example, one of the aims
of a peer education programme is to encourage young people to be tolerant, the
peer educators’ personal behaviour should reflect this attitude.
Before beginning a peer education programme in any community, it is important
to learn about the prevailing culture(s), traditions, and social norms. Without such
awareness, there is a great risk of offending people and losing their respect for you
and your programme. A damaged reputation can have far-reaching consequences,
and the impact may last for a long time.
In some communities, a certain importance is placed on modesty regarding
sexual matters. Immediately talking about sexual issues in very frank and detailed
language might be a mistake. Some communities may also have concerns about
programmes in which young women and young men participate together. It is best
to move into this area one small step at a time.
Section 2. Guidelines for Training of Trainers
57