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ASAF Regional Training - Volunteering: becoming an Erasmus+ “ambassador”
On 9 November 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, the African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF) organised a training session to strengthen the leadership capacities of 21 participants from different countries in West Africa. The goal: to train participants to become Erasmus+ ambassadors. The ambassadors will serve as advocates within their communities, promoting international exchanges and inspiring others by sharing their personal experiences.
From 8 to 10 November 2024, a regional training course organised by ASAF was held at Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 21 participants from Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Nigeria took part in this enriching event.
The session began with a presentation by Mr Alexandre Zoumman, Vice-President of ASAF, who shared the vision, activities, and future projects of the organisation. This enabled participants to gain a clearer understanding of ASAF’s role and highlighted the importance of their involvement as future ambassadors.
Under the direction of the training facilitator, Mr Kwaku Afriyie, and with the support of Professor Oluwatoyin Odeku, the main objective was to strengthen the leadership capacities of the participants. Topics such as personal development, improving communication skills, and acquiring essential leadership skills were discussed. It was emphasised that being a good volunteer is not just about good intentions but also involves the ability to attract support, and motivate and inspire others to believe in their potential.
One highlight of the training was the storytelling workshop, where participants collaborated to create testimonials that illustrated the qualities needed to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. These stories demonstrated how a leader can influence and inspire others by valuing traits such as resilience, patience, open-mindedness, and the ability to communicate effectively. They also highlighted other critical aspects of leadership such as the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and facing new situations.
Beyond practical skills, the training also encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences and how they can use these to inspire others to also get involved in positive initiatives. Each participant was invited to integrate and apply the learning and return to their home country to practice their new skills, with the aim of contributing to the development of their community.
At the end of the training, each participant received a certificate, signifying the completion of this formative experience and their commitment to becoming an Erasmus+ ambassador in their respective countries.
Côte d’Ivoire, 12 November, 2024
Bérénice Tetchi, berenicetetchi@gmail.com
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