A two-day virtual orientation cum training session was organised on 14^th and 15^th July 2020 for the State Officers by the SP Team. The training was attended by fifteen Caritas India staff – nine State Officers and 5 SP Team members. The purpose of this training was to orient and capacitate all the state officers on the (Key Strategic Pillars) KSPs and the indicators as enlisted in the Guidebook. State officers are the front-runners in all the states for implementing various programs. Thus, it became imperative to guide them on the four pillars and their respective strategic actions and indicators so that same could be implemented at the grassroots.

The training began with an introductory session and context setting by Mr Allan – SP Team Member. During this session, a relation was drawn between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Key Strategic Pillars (KSP).

The participants added value to the introductory session by their sharing on the SDGs and the requirement of SDG for the strategic development of the community, globally. The session concluded by reiterating the statement “Vocal for Local” which stresses on creating self-reliant communities and promoting indigenous practices. This statement by the PM Narendra Modi was linked with the KSPs by SDGs being the goals for development at the global level and KSPs being the community development goals at the local level.

The first day of the training focused on the first two pillars – Empowering Animation and Dialogue, whereas the second day highlighted the strategic actions and indicators related to the other two pillars – Volunteering and Sharing Community. Inputs on each of the pillars were given by each SP Team member – Ms Minu, Mr Melvin, Ms Jenny and Mr Allan – respectively. Since it was a virtual setup, special attention was given to make the training in a participative mode, engaging each of the officers. Picture Cards, audio-visuals, reflective questions and sub-group activities were incorporated during the sessions to keep the participants interested and energetic.

During the sub-group presentations on both the days, participants presented their role and responsibilities in mainstreaming each of the pillars in their respective states and the action points and targets set for the upcoming months. In the end of the training, certain action points were drawn as a way forward. Some of the key points were close accompaniment with the forum and diocesan coordinators on mainstreaming KSPs, regular monthly meetings and follow up with the SP Team and the coordinators and follow up and review of the forum reports.

Fr Jolly, in his concluding remarks appreciated the work of the State Officers and SP Team in mainstreaming KSPs. He ended the training with a motivating and challenging statement that being the front-runners, SOs are expected to give handholding support to all the DSSS partners with new and innovative ideas and insights to transform the KSPs and Strategic Actions into a reality. The officers agreed with it and echoed that they have gained new and clear insights on the KSPs and ways of implementing it, during the training sessions.

They were also appreciative of the techniques used in all the sessions to keep it interesting and participative.