Forestry Training Manual: Inter-America Region (Peace Corps, 1986): Session XII

Forestry Training Manual: Inter-America Region (Peace Corps, 1986)

		(introduction...)
		Acknowledgements
		Trainer guidelines
		Training program overview
		Forestry observation guide for site visit
		Getting ready
		Conducting the training program
		Weekly evaluation form
		Session I - Welcome, expectations, and evaluation criteria
		Daily schedule for technical training I
		Session II - Special projects
		Session III - The forest of the world, Peace Corps forestry goals, the individual volunteers' roles
		Session IV - Language class
		Session V - Record keeping
		Session VI - Journal keeping and setting
		Session VII - Flowers, seeds, the beginning
		Session VIII - Spanish language class
		Session IX - Non-verbal communication
		Session X - Basic site selection, planning and layout of a nursery
		Session XI - Spanish lesson
		Session XII - Cultural values
		Session XIII - Soil preparation, seed bed sowing, and reproduction by clippings
		Session XIV - Spanish language
		Session XV - Communication through illustration
		Session XVI - Fertilizers, watering and containers
		Session XVII - Spanish language
		Session XVIII - Protection and record keeping
		Session XIX - Individual interviews
		Weekly evaluation form
		Session XX - Planting trees
		Session XXI - Spanish language session
		Session XXII - Introduction to extension
		Session XXIII - The principals of pruning and thinning learning how to make and use a diameter tape
		Session XXIV - Spanish language
		Session XXV - Volunteer's role as an extensionist
		Session XXVI - Pacing, plane table, rustic transit and compass
		Session XXVII - Spanish language
		Session XVIII - Forestry extension
		Session XXIX - Forest menstruation
		Session XXX - Spanish language
		Session XXXI - Working with groups as an extension worker
		Session XXXII - Agro-forestry
		Session XXXIII - Spanish language
		Session XXXIV - Lesson plan and use of visual AIDS in teaching
		Session XXXV - Small research projects
		Session XXXVI - Individual interviews
		Session XXXVII - Soils
		Session XXXVIII - Spanish language
		Session XXXIX - Community analysis introduction
		Session XL - Soil erosion
		Session XLI - Spanish language
		Session XLII - Problem analysis
		Session XLIII - Watershed management
		Session XLIV - Spanish language
		Session XLV - Review of expectations - Mid way
		Session XLVI - Spanish language
		Session XLVII - Species report
		Session XLVIII - Forestry issues
		Session XLIX - Spanish language
		Session L - Field trip overview
		Session LI - Ecology teams give presentations
		Session LII - Individual interviews
		Session LIII - Review of field trips
		Session LIV - Project planning: Goal setting
		Session LV - Spanish language
		Session LVI - Resources
		Session LVII - Compost heap. Insect collection. Light gaps
		Session LVIII - Spanish language
		Session LIX - Cultural shock - Are we ready for it?
		Session LX - Grafting and fruit trees
		Session LXI - Spanish language
		Session LXII - Professional approaches to interaction with host country officials
		Session LXIII - Final interviews
		Session LXIV - Graduation

Session XII - Cultural values

Total Time:

Goals:

- To get in touch with our own value system.
- To see what we have learned so far about host country cultural values.
- To explore commonalities and differences.
- To find ways of accepting cultural differences.

Overview

In this session, trainees will he asked to list their own cultural values. For many this will be a repeat, but the purpose here is to see how many more of their own values they have identified since living in host country and to look at host country cultural values, so that trainees can begin to see commonalities and differences. Finally, trainees will be seeking ways to accept the differences. This lays the ground work for extension work training later in the program.

Exercise

1. Cultural value explorations: mine, ours, theirs, acceptance.

Materials

Flip charts, marker pens, tape.

Exercise I:

Cultural values: An Exploration - Mine, Ours, Theirs, Acceptance

Total Time:

1 hour 45 minutes

Overview

To explore different cultural systems. Find ways to accept the differences.

Procedures

Time	Activities
5 minutes	Trainer posts on newsprint the following diagram:
		BELIEFS
		CULTURE
		VALUES
		BEHAVIOR
	Give a brief lecture stating that values are not good or bad that they just are. The reason we want to take a good look at our cultural values in this session is to start at just basically a very general point - culture. The unique lifestyles of a particular group of people is a learned behavior that is communicable. We are able to see two very key concepts of culture. It is communicable, thank goodness. It means you can learn something about it. Because if it were not communicable, we would have nothing to do here today or for the rest of your volunteer service. To learn about the behavior of others is also very meaningful, not only in a social sense, but in a management sense, because I think it is important for people to understand the influence that environment has on culture, on you and understand that you are not "born" with a culture. You can be born into a culture but you are not born a culture, if I could make that distinction.
	Another positive aspect of learned behavior says to us that we can also not only broaden our appreciation of other cultures but broaden our ability to participate in other cultures, in another cultural milieu.
	To start our participation in this culture we need to go back to ourselves and then come forward.
15 minutes	2. Trainer asks trainees to make a list of their own cultural values. You may have done this before so it will he easy. You may also notice that you have gotten in touch with values you were unaware of since coming to host country.
30 minutes	3. Trainer now asks participants to form groups of four. Share their lists of cultural values and look for similarities and differences in their lists.
15 minutes	4. Trainer now asks group to share their differences and write them on newsprint. Then asks for ways in which we accept differences in our own culture.
20 minutes	5. Trainer now asks groups to list as many cultural values of the host country as they can. Trainer asks that after they have completed this list, they once again check for commonalities and differences.
15 minutes	6. Trainer now asks the groups to make a list on newsprint of ideas they may have for accepting these differences.
Trainer's Note: List generated from pilot program is included as a guide.
15 minutes	7. Trainer now requests that small groups share with large groups their ideas. Trainer now leads discussion of how these ideas can be used in the volunteer experience.

List of Ways of Accepting Differences

- Adjust to environment.
- Have respect for culture and customs.
- Cultural sensitivity.
- Patience.
- Be outgoing.
- Empathy.
- Introspection.
- Be flexible enough to (tolerate, accept) values different from our own.
- Educate ourselves to explain motives for values.
- Realize our values are as different to them as theirs to us.
- Conformity/compromise.
- Understanding that the differences are deeprooted and cultural.
- Ability to modify outward behavior without modifying inward values.
- Keep an open mind, culturally and personally.
- Good sense of humor (able to laugh at self).