Y
them on how to formulate powerful questions. • Interactivity is a vital element of capacity
A The group helped each other practise and building. Delegates found this to be one of the

D refine their questions to have maximum
most important features of the day, and the
G
impact. opportunities to ask questions, listen to others
and participate in group discussions were
I
N
Outcomes of the day
valued highly in the evaluation process.
The capacity building day succeeded in bringing
• Adding a social element to training, such as
I
L
D
together the voices of a broad range of
a meal, can add value to capacity building
U
communities and issues. Some of the delegates
activities, drawing people in to the human
who had previously felt isolated were successfully

B
rights community.
brought into the wider human rights community.
Y
The presence of participants on the main
Comments from delegates
I
T
conference day was marked and audible. The
‘I was mightily impressed by the spirit and
questions they raised in the main plenary and
generosity of the discussions: the opportunity
P
AC
workshop sessions brought some vital issues
to meet others on the pre-day was especially
A
to light and gave new perspectives to other
welcome.’
participants, media representatives, and politicians
C
Ron Moule, Founder, Twhist Community Arts Project.
including Justice Secretary Jack Straw MP.
E

Feedback from the participants was extremely ‘I would like to thank BIHR for supporting us with
C positive. Many said that the two days had not the costs [...]. I have since been to other human
only inspired them, but equipped them with a rights conferences in London and the BIHR event
E
N
greater understanding of human rights and more helped me to commit to getting more involved in
confidence to participate in discussions and seek this area.’
F
E
R
answers to their questions. They left feeling that
Robina Iqbal, Chair, Sparkhill Asian Women’s
N
they had made a wealth of new contacts and
Association.
O
come away with fresh ideas and new strategies
‘I gained so much in the sharing of information and
C
for advancing their work on the ground using the
more understanding about different cultures’
E
- Human Rights Act. Some delegates said that they
Katie Smith, Secretary, York Carers Forum.
planned to cascade the information to colleagues
P
R
to raise awareness further. ‘Huge thanks for funding us to come down –
Recommendations
as a voluntary group, we could not have been
there without your help – it really broadened our
• VCS stakeholders and funders must
knowledge and awareness.’
make even more resources available for
Irene Mace, Support Officer, York Carers Forum.
activities such as this capacity building day
to ensure a much wider participation of ‘Entirely due to the event we made an important
voices during conferences and consultations. contact whose ideas and aspirations are very like
The voices that are often forgotten come our own. We are delighted to say that we have
mainly from communities that are most offered him employment. We are excited about the
excluded, marginalised and ignored - yet it future developments that we have been discussing
is these communities that hold the relevant
and will keep you informed of our progress.’
information and solutions to issues that affect
Irene Lindsay, Managing Director, Disability Arts
them.
Empowerment CIC.
6
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