The Ubuntu Leaders Academy is a project that aims to facilitate transformation, foster encounters and (re) connect each person to their essence, training leaders for community service.

A cooperation model has been developed making the project accessible to any organization that feels motivated to work through the Ubuntu method (anywhere in the world). The dissemination of the Ubuntu Leaders Academy should take four guiding principles:

EMPOWERMENT

The Ubuntu Leaders Academy is committed to empowering, by investing in local agents capable of replicating training in their contexts.

OPEN SOURCE

The cooperation model contemplates a free and open source materials sharing model, upon conclusion of a cooperation agreement and exclusively for non-profit purposes.

WIKI UBUNTU

This is an open project, always available to receive the contributions of all. Although there is a basic structure of the training program, rooted in its foundations and methodologies, we believe in the importance of adapting the contents to the culture and specificity of the context. Thus, we give autonomy to question the program, propose new resources and co-construct this project in a wiki logic, valuing the contributions and the experience of each participant.

NETWORKING

We believe in the richness of cooperation, with an emphasis on building a network of partnerships between organizations that are aligned with the principles of the Ubuntu Leaders Academy. They will be able to collaborate, finding joint solutions and responding to the needs / resources necessary to make the local implementation of the project viable.

COOPERATION MODEL

These are the steps that must be followed by the entity that has shown interest in setting up an Ubuntu Leaders Academy:

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

An expression of interest will always be the starting point. An entity (organization, institution, project, university, etc.) that wishes to organize the training and is in tune with the mission, objectives and principles of the Ubuntu Leaders Academy should express its interest in implementing the project to IPAV, through the website or by email.

In the contact between IPAV and the interested entity, about practical issues regarding the format that it intends to implement, and the means that will be made available. Having every detail clarified, the following step ensues.

SIGNING OF A COOPERATION PROTOCOL

By means of a joint positive decision, the cooperation protocol, which will cover the agreements of both parties with regard to work plans, financing, partnerships, dates, among others, should be concluded.

From that moment the responsible entity will have access to the restricted area of the site www.ubuntuleadersacademy.org where all the necessary resources will be available for the organization of the training.

GETTING READY

Coordination and management of training will be the responsibility of the host entity and the local partners, with the technical assistance of IPAV. The mobilization of the training team, the selection of the participants, definition of the training place, the guests, equipment and materials, food, etc.

FACILITATION, EVALUATION, REPORT

It is up to the team of facilitators to adapt the session plans to the context in which to develop the training, the application of the evaluation surveys, the preparation of a final report, and to access the templates made available for the purpose on the site.

FOLLOW UP

After the training the responsible entity should follow the dissemination process, mobilizing the facilitators and enhancing necessary partnerships. It is very important that the trainers can be followed up, so as not to lose the energy activated by the training.

UBUNTU GLOBAL NETWORK

The Ubuntu Global Network-UGN is a worldwide network of organizations that develop the Ubuntu Leaders Academy or that are inspired by the Ubuntu philosophy, therefore,  the Academy's promoting institutions are invited to join the UGN.

LOGISTICS, MATERIAILS  AND RESOURCES

In order for the Ubuntu Training to take place the responsible entity should collaborate with its local network of partners, The preparation should be done in conjunction with the Instituto Padre António Vieira, which will provide all necessary consulting support.

PARTNERSHIPS AND DISSEMINATION

Ideally the Ubuntu Leaders Academy, while being the responsible institution, should promote a network of partners that can take responsibility for some of the training.

Publicizing the training activity is important so that the Academy can reach as many interested parties as possible. In the case of sponsorship, dissemination also allows  for funders to have some visibility.

PARTICIPANTS

The identification, recruitment and selection of participants for the training of Ubuntu Facilitators and for the Ubuntu Leaders Academy should pay special attention to maturity, previous experience in training and / or non-formal education and willingness to participate during the entire training period.

The participants' registration can be made online, by email or face-to-face depending on the available technological resources.

UBUNTU FACILITATORS TEAMS

The team has to count with at least one senior facilitator available who can be assisted by one or two trainers with less experience. If the institution does not have these facilitators, you should ask  IPAV  to assist in finding  them at partner institutions or to request them from IPAV.

The promoter shall provide accommodation, food and transport for the facilitators responsible for training.

TRAINING VENUES

Ideally the training should take place in a large and versatile room that should include removable chairs that can be moved according to the training needs [an auditorium with fixed chairs is not advisable for this type of interventions]. The initial chair arrangement should be in a semicircle. There should also be a side- table containing documents and other support materials

Some of the group dynamics and games need wider  spaces and can be noisy so care must be taken as not to annoy people in the proximity..

MEALS FOR PARTICIPANTS

Meals may be provided for participants during training hours. It is advisable for the training to include lunch and two snacks / coffee breaks for mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

TRAINING MATERIALS

It will be necessary to have the materials ready for  the training sessions, by means of a list made available in advance (ex: pens, A4 white sheets, post its, etc.), as well as to ensure the printing of the necessary documents, and to be able to print  documents, as needed,  during the training process (adaptations, changes to the training plan, etc.).

TECHNICAL RESOURCES

- Computer with HDMI cable and input

- Projector

- Sound system (speakers and microphones if required)

- Electrical outlets (extensions)

- Access to Wi-fi

CERTIFICATES

The participants will receive a certificate of participation, depending on the training they have done, and the awarding of the certificates is shared between the responsible entity and IPAV. IPAV provides the template of the certificates, and the host entity provides the logo , identifying who will sign the certificates. The entity shall print the paper certificates on 200- 300 grams paper.

GUESTS

Profiling guests for personal testimonies.

Day 2 - Theme: Building Bridges

Guest profile: The guest should be someone who has faced the need to "bridge" between realities / people / contexts. From personal experiences, to community / social projects, or even professional challenges, empathic capacity, knowledge of the "other" and the construction of bridges should be the central themes of this testimony.

Day 3 - Theme: Overcoming obstacles

Guest Profile: The guest should be an example of resilience in the way he or she faced or faces daily adversities, showcasing the capacity to transform obstacles into opportunities.

Day 4 - Theme: Ubuntu Lives

Guest profile: The guest should be a witness to the five Ubuntu pillars in his personal life and the challenges he faces in the context of his intervention. People with real knowledge of the challenges and needs of the context (community, city, country) are privileged. This person must be witness of active involvement in the transformation of the community.

UBUNTU KIT

- Ubuntu Kit (T-shirt and notebook)

These two elements are, as already mentioned, very important symbols for the Ubuntu Leaders Academy.

Whenever possible, the organization responsible for training should produce the t-shirts (one per participant). A document with the final art will be available for the production of the t-shirts. In the same way, Ubuntu notebooks can be produced and the graphic art is also available.