Facilitation has not traditionally been considered as a tool in disaster intervention. Nonetheless, several facilitation processes for use in grief management and for social reorganization after a disaster have been developed and successfully used in recent crisises.

This one day conference is designed for leaders and volunteers who are involved in disaster relief. Through a series of presentation and interactive workshops it will provide the knowledge and skills to design and execute effective disaster interventions and allow consideration of how to enhance disaster intervention resources in Hong Kong.

Participants, upon finishing the workshop, will be able to

1. Describe a grief cycle and identify productive and non-productive processes of handling grief in one's self and others, both on an individual and group level.
2. Recognize the symptoms of inadequate grief management and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
3. Use four specific and effective tools for facilitating group processes.
4. Use three facilitation-based approaches to shelter and community organization after a disaster.

Dr. Gil Brenson is a North American social psychologist, consultant, psychotherapist and author of eighteen books. He has lived in Columbia since 1972 and is director of the Fundacion Neo-Humanista, a training and consulting NPO that works in Latin America with organizational and community development, and founder of REDFAC, a Disaster Intervention Facilitation Network. He has lead intervention programs Central America (Hurricane Mitch) and Colombia (January 25th Earthquake). Gil is the Vice-Chair International of the International Association of Facilitators.

The Institute of Cultural Affairs is an international development organization helping people to understand and manage their own change process. A non-for-profit network organization with member offices in 28 countries. The ICA has been established in Hong Kong for over 20 years and focuses on facilitating organizational change programs and facilitation training services.

Kayiwa Foundation is a poverty relief charity established to help the poor in their suffering and to protect oneself from being corrupted by the world.

For more information about the Workshop, please contact:

• Mark Pixley, tel: 2561-9209 email: icahk@hkstar.com
• Kawuma MK, tel: 2739-2743 email: kayiwa@mail.hkg.com

Course Outline and Description:

1. Opening Exercise: Small group exercise on personal loss.
2. The Grief Cycle: Short PPT Presentation

• Initial shock and denial, primary reactions, secondary reactions and outcomes

1. Small group elaboration of the experiences with cycle elements.
2. What doesn't work?: Small group exercise on unproductive strategies in grief management.
3. What does work?: Small group exercise on experiences with productive strategies.
4. "Fork-in-the-Road" Model of Grief Management: Short PPT Presentation

• Reflection or Flight, Catharsis or Pseudo-Catharsis, Assertivity or Passive/Aggressive Behavior: Cooperation or Dependency

1. Techniques of Group Facilitation of the Fork Model (presentation, demonstration and practice):

• Listening Techniques, Cathartic Techniques, Metaphor Techniques, Group Self-Help and Networking Techniques

1. Psychosocial Facilitation in Refugee Shelters and New Communities (presentation and some practice):

• Situational Facilitation, Open Space Techniques, Networking Techniques

1. Case Study for Intervention Design: Small Group Exercise
2. Crisis Intervention: Group Brainstorming on the possible role of Hong Kong in future disasters.

Registration:

Registration fee of HK$500 covers attendance, handouts and refreshments.

Places are limited and registration will be on a first come first serve basis.

To: The Institute of Cultural Affairs, The Woodside, Mt. Parker Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

Attention: Mr. Mark Pixley

Tel: 2561-9209 Fax: 2562-1195 Email: icahk@hkstar.com

Return to The Institute of Cultural Affairs - Hong Kong

Return to The Organizational Transformation Center