It’s an exciting week within the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Network as we kick off the first Capacity Building event of the year today, Training of Trainers on Instructional Strategies, in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) — marking six years of close partnership between AFI and BNM in organizing and working together on Capacity Building events.

“As trainers, you will learn how to break things down, put yourself in the shoes of another, how to emphasize — and how to connect, not just facilitate,” Kristina Rai, Director of Human Capital Development Centre at BNM, illustrates the importance of educating policymakers effectively during her opening remarks today at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Packed with 20 enthusiastic participants from eight AFI member countries, Training of Trainers on Instructional Strategies is also the first training that is directed towards nominated staff of selected AFI member institutions and AFI staff who play a key role in the design and delivery of AFI programs.

“There is a different way to communicate when conveying a message,” states Norbert Mumba, Deputy Executive Director of AFI when sharing an anecdote about AFI as an international organization and its impact on financial inclusion, drawing smiles from around the room. He also remarks that AFI has contributed to 260 policy changes in the past decade, resulting in millions of the unbanked now having access to formal financial services.

“Remember that all the programs we organize are not an end in themselves, they are the means to initiate work, which is expected to make a bigger impact.”

The success of AFI’s events rest equally on two pillars — quality technical content and effective delivery. Training of Trainers on Instructional Strategies should further enhance the design and delivery of AFI events. The training helps participants gain skills in designing and delivering short technical sessions, facilitating group discussions, conducting interactive exercises, moderating panel discussions, playing the role of a panellist, preparing PowerPoint Presentations, attending high level meetings, delivering speeches and even raising a toast!

The interactive five-day training takes place from 19-23 February, 2018 and is conducted by Armi Stephanie Treñas, President and Principal Consultant from Learning and Performance Partners Inc.

2018 marks AFI’s 10 years of bringing smart policies to life celebrating a decade of driving impact in financial inclusion.