The concept of seven modular training began with field visit of Prof. John Paul with FECOFUN staff Mr. Chup Bahadur Thapa in Kailali district in 2008. There he observed the conflict between Mukta Kamaiya and community forest users group and mentioned that “transformation of such conflict takes a long time and requires the trustworthy process.” This signified the requirement of skilled human resources to be mobilized in the ground for the transformation of conflicts. Accordingly, training is planned and organized in the facilitation of Prof. John Paul and co-facilitation of Mr. Ameet Dhakal. The format of training begins with fundamental subject matter including the concept of conflict and idea of conflict transformation process then participants are mobilized in the field practice for implementation of theoretical knowledge. Subsequently, in the following module, they share their field experiences and challenges faced while working at the community level. Based on their learning on subject matter over the first module the second module are finalized which is again practiced in the field. This process of learning and field practice continues until the seventh module hence it is seven-phase of modular training in natural resource conflict transformation process.
The first phase of seven modular training is organized in Bode, Bhaktapur from 11 January, 2009 to 14 May 2010. There was presence of 34 participants (core learning team) out of which 30 are able to successfully complete seven phases of the training. The training is successfully accomplished in the facilitation of Prof. John Paul Lederach and Mr. Ameet Dhakal. The training is organized for capacity enhancement of core learning team in the process of conflict transformation based on natural resources (land, forest and water). The training program comprise of phase-wise theoretical learning parallel with field-based practice.
The core learning team was mobilized for field practice in their respective district after completion of each module of training. Field practice is an approach for learning by doing. Whatever the core learning team learned in the training, they put into practice in field level. We have focused more on field practice than indoor training as it is far more effective and fruitful than training inside four walls as field practice teaches core learning team about the process in their direct involvement. This makes them able to learn about the process, approach, tools and techniques to handle the situation, develop ideas to communicate with community people and can have clear vision to fulfill their targeted goal. So, core learning teams are motivated and mobilized for the conduction of field level assignment in their respective district. Later on, the team share their learning and experience gained during field practice, in following modular training and have further clarification through discussion and interaction with whole organizational team.
