ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013
ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013
ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013
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2.3. Appreciative Interviewing<br />
(Adapted from Ashford and Patkar 2001)<br />
Session Title<br />
Session Objectives<br />
Duration <strong>of</strong> Session<br />
Resources<br />
<strong>Training</strong> Materials<br />
Appreciative Interviewing<br />
Discover ways to focus on achievements and assets<br />
Remind people <strong>of</strong> past success with the aim <strong>of</strong> motivating them for<br />
future action<br />
Identify the energy <strong>of</strong> potential leaders who will mobilize community<br />
members<br />
45 minutes<br />
None<br />
None<br />
Introduction<br />
Appreciative interviewing is usually one <strong>of</strong> the first activities undertaken by CBOs, NGOs or government<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices with the local community as it is important to establish a culture <strong>of</strong> positive thinking and <strong>of</strong><br />
genuine learning on the part <strong>of</strong> both the outside institution and the community members. Facilitators<br />
need to cast themselves as searchers genuinely seeking community knowledge and experience rather<br />
than planners with their minds already made up about what the community should do. We suggest that<br />
interviews with the local community about past successes can start <strong>of</strong>f very informally with individuals,<br />
and then become more systematic, as more people are interviewed in groups.<br />
Interviews can generate considerable information about individual and community skills, strengths, and<br />
assets. It is also a way in which development workers can build new-found respect for the knowledge<br />
and the experience <strong>of</strong> community members. By asking questions rather than telling communities what<br />
to do, a genuine partnership is more likely to emerge. To make these interviews as productive as<br />
possible it is important to keep the discussion focused and to ask detailed questions.<br />
Instructions<br />
In the training, ask participants to form teams <strong>of</strong> three. Tell them:<br />
“I want one <strong>of</strong> you in the team to volunteer to be interviewed. You are going to be asked about your<br />
experience living in a community where people organized themselves to carry out a project, host an<br />
event, meet a crisis, or meet an opportunity. Can you think <strong>of</strong> an example?”<br />
When one person has agreed to be interviewed, a second person can be the interviewer. The third<br />
person should be the observer, but can also help the interviewer ask questions.<br />
Explain to the participants that the interviewer will be using a technique called appreciative interviewing<br />
that helps people to identify and analyze the strengths and assets <strong>of</strong> the whole community.<br />
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