17.09.2024

Train the Trainer 2024

The Participants of "Train the Trainer", Photo: Johannes Schermuly / UEM

The Seminar offered space and time for intensive discsussions, Photo: Johannes Schermuly / UEM

From September 1 to 7, staff and volunteers from UEM member churches in the regions of Asia, Africa, and Germany gathered in Wuppertal for the workshop "Train the Trainer: Anti-Racism Workshop in Partnership Work" to exchange ideas on racism and anti-racism efforts. The United Evangelical Mission (UEM)  organized the week-long event under the leadership of Frauke Bürgers, Partnership Officer, at the conference center “Auf dem Heiligen Berg".

The aim was to train multipliers who could raise awareness and foster change within their respective church partnership contexts. Over the past few years, it became clear in various discussions and workshops that partnerships are crucial spaces for global learning. However, they are not immune to racism, which often appears in subtle and well-meaning forms. This created the need for trainers capable of addressing racism within partnership groups in UEM member churches.

Learning Together is Key

Both the participants and the trainers came from all three UEM regions: Rev Dr Tommy Solomons, Moderator of the South African RSCA*, Maria Komboy from the Papuan GKI-TP*, and Sarah Vecera, UEM Global Education Coordinator with a focus on "Racism and Church," jointly led the sessions, sometimes together, sometimes regionally divided.

The workshop provided participants with a wide range of reflection opportunities. Through interactive sessions on personal attitudes, emotions, and racism, they learned not only how to recognize racism but also how to actively combat it. Jecson Sihombing from the Indonesian GKPA* emphasized the value of reflecting on one’s emotions and attitudes to achieve a better self and mutual understanding. "In some situations, we are the majority, in others the minority. We need to learn to love ourselves and embrace our identity," he explained.

Another central topic of the workshop was the role of churches in fighting racism. Edna Li from the German EKiR* pointed out how racist tendencies can subtly infiltrate religious communities. She stressed the importance of developing "anti-propaganda" to raise awareness that we are all equally children of God.

In addition to theoretical approaches, the workshop offered bodywork and practical training sessions, where participants developed their own educational modules to be used in their local contexts. This allowed them to give and receive feedback and further refine their methods.

Transforming Societies, Enabling Unity

At the end of the workshop, participants reflected on their experiences and considered how to apply what they had learned in their respective contexts. For many, like Rev Dr Julie Kandema, vice president of the UEM member church EPR* in Rwanda, the focus was on addressing the challenges in their own country: "We need to learn how to further transform and unite our society."

At the end of the workshop, participants reflected on their experiences and considered how to apply what they had learned in their respective contexts. For many, including Rev. Julie Kandema, Vice President of the UEM member church EPR (Presbyterian Church of Rwanda), the focus was on addressing the challenges within their own country: "We need to learn from our history and past mistakes to transform and unite our society. This is particularly relevant in a country like Rwanda, which experienced the Genocide against the Tutsi."

This workshop once again highlighted that the fight against racism is a global task requiring local solutions. Participants returned to their countries empowered and inspired, with a strong commitment to actively confront racism and drive change.

*RCSA = Rhenish Church in South Africa

*GKI-TP = Gereja Kristen Injili di Tanah Papua (Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua)

*GKPA = Gereja Kristen Protestan Angkola (Christian-Protestant Church of the Angkola)

*EKiR = Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (Evangelical Church in the Rhineland)

*EPR = Eglise Presbyterienne au Rwanda (Presbyterian Church of Rwanda)