Building new civic leadership across EuroAsia
The Leading Change Network has been working with activists across eastern Europe and Central Asia who are committed to improving the lives of their communities on issues ranging from human rights, anti-corruption and gender equality, to anti-discrimination and the freedom of speech and gathering.
Our work in the region focuses on supporting activists in developing their leadership and creating organizing campaigns. We’ve also been supporting the development of training and coaching capacity in the Russian language.
Too often activists face the challenge of turning the passion and resources of their constituency into structured campaigns. Campaigns that would both contribute to solving the issue at hand and developing the leadership capacity of that community to continue working for change.
Our most recent workshop was held in Kyrgyzstan, where activists from across the region came together to learn the art of Public Narrative — — the practice of using our stories to build community, inspire hope and courageous action.
LCN’s team of trainers, co-led by Ana Babovic & Rawan Zeine, enabled 26 leaders who are involved in diverse issues like environment, corruption, healthcare and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Russia.
The program was delivered in English and Russian, using simultaneous translation, and grounded in LCN’s Public Narrative methodology developed by professor. Marshall Ganz.
Using modeling, small group work and an emphasis on coaching throughout the training, leaders were able to learn:
- How to tell a story of self that enables others to understand them
- A story of us that enables their community to come together and commit to working on achieving shared purpose
- A story of now that turns the present moment into one of challenge, hope, and action
The power of our Public Narrative training comes from the participants themselves, who come with their own stories that communicate values and motivations for what calls them to lead.
The training provides a safe space to explore the moments that have shaped them and their communities, while providing the skills to turn those experiences into a public narrative that can be used to motivate others to join them in their pursuit — all of which is learned through practice in the workshops.
Working with our partners we’re grateful for the opportunity to work with those communities on the ground and support them in developing the leadership and strategic capacity for achieving change.
Get in touch with us if you’re curious to learn more about LCN’s Public Narrative Training! We’d love to hear more about your work and explore how Public Narrative could help build the capacity of your team, campaign or organization to lead change — — info@leadingchangenetwork.org
