I attended a Skills for Working in Development (SKWID) course from 21st to 25th November 2005, this helps you develop good skills in facilitating participation especially with disadvantaged people.
The topics are:
VSO’s approach to development
Effective communication and building relationships
Different roles a volunteer can play as a facilitator for change
Participation and project planning
Introduction to participatory methods and tools
Practising facilitation
Monitoring and evaluation
Networking, Negotiations, Conflict and Corruption
Attached to the SKWID course is a Health and Security course lasting about 4 hours which is mandatory. I found both courses good and useful, you collect lots of information which you can use in placement.
A lot of information can be accessed on the VSO web site so you can download pdf files rather than carry lots of paper with you when you go overseas.
