Reported by A4 Awareness and Action – Brunei Fellows (Aiden Paul Leo Nereparambil, Angelina Lau, Hridya Anna Panackal, Aaron John Leo Nereparambil, Nurlatifah)
1. Key takeaways
- Re-defined purpose and strategic planning: The training helped the Brunei fellows gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their roles, purposes, and potential as young environmental advocates. The insights gained from the training can lead to improved project planning and implementation, with a focus on effective communication, stakeholder management, adaptability, and the design of innovative environmental solutions.
- Critical thinking and problem solving: Discussions with fellows from diverse backgrounds, representatives from local environmental organizations with various expertise, and observing real-life examples of green initiatives at Indonesian green schools have enhanced the Brunei fellows’ ability to thoroughly analyze problems from both general and local perspectives. These experiences also helped them formulate innovative ideas tailored to each problem, incorporating flexibility and adaptability to any changes or challenges they may face during implementation.
- Effective communication: Interactions with other participants throughout the training have boosted the fellows’ confidence in expressing their opinions and ideas. They also learned the appropriate tools for effective communication and how to attract the right audience through social media platforms. This will enable them to better communicate their projects to the public.
Brunei team presented their projects and received constructive feedbacks from local communities (in the picture: Mr. Benedict host of Bule Sampah and Veritas Edukasi Lingkungan)
2. Event highlights
The AJYELN Leadership & Project Management Training was held on 28-29 August 2024 hybrid (online and on-site) in Jakarta. The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) together with the ASEAN-Youth Organization (AYO) organized the training program for 45 in-person and 14 online participants which includes 33 fellows, 7 supervisors, and 11 mentors. This training equipped participants with project management skills, practical tools, and strategies as well as fruitful discussions with young leaders from local organizations or communities.
This two-day program not only includes workshop sessions on defining purposes and strategic planning for environmental campaigns, but also visitation to regional and environmental organizations, such as the ASEAN Secretariat, ERIA Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, and the Mission of Japan to ASEAN as well as green school in Jakarta.
3. Feedback
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TRAINING AND HOW DO THE TRAINING BENEFICIAL FOR YOU?
“It was 😍! I believe my problem-solving skills have increased and am confident I can solve the hurdles in the way of the policies we plan to implement. My thinking skills also improved…influenced by the way of thought of other fellows also allowed me to take my thoughts to the next level” – Aiden Paul Leo Nereparambil
“I had a great time! The training had enhanced my skills in many ways. I felt as the skills that I already have were much explored as well as developed into one where I fully realize my potential and my route in advocacy. The training also had inspired me to broaden my view, and as a communicator to further dive into people’s heart strings, reasons and their point of relativity.” – Angelina Lau
“The training definitely helped me to come out of my shell more. I am more of an anxiety driven person and I am worried about what people think of me when I talk. But this training helped me to realise that I’m not losing anything by simply conveying my opinions, and that it may actually end up helping someone. The other delegates there and the organisers truly inspired me to be more confident and passionate about my projects. After listening to all these talks by local companies and also from the other delegates, our team realised that there was a lot to improve on, things we should remove and things we should add to better make the project more effective and realistic. Overall, the training was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience, everything was unbelievably well organised and on time. However, I do think that there were times the schedule was too tight and a lot of people ended up feeling too exhausted at the end of the day.” – Hridya Anna Panackal
“I feel like my teamwork skills have further increased and also I feel more organized with my thoughts and actions as well. This training was very insightful and informative and shared ideas that I have never thought of personally before and I would say this will definitely help me in coming up with more innovative ideas. I feel like it was too short of a time for us there and think it will help if the trip was a bit longer.. ” – Aaron John Leo Nereparambil
