LGEP - The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project

Below is the information for our Cadreship Development Programme, if you would like to receive an application form please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Programme Aims

    * To capacitate grassroots activists to be in the forefront of raising awareness in their communities;

    * To build political and ideological foundations to enhance social justice activism on behalf of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people in communities;

    * To deepen our understanding of and our advocacy work on issues of sexuality, sexual preference, orientation and the concept of social power;

    * To develop innovative education methods to help pass on the learnings of the programme to other communities.

Programme Content

The programme will deal with among others the following themes:

1.    Building Organisations and Movements

The module will help us understand the concept of civil society and the development of social and political movements in the post-Apartheid South Africa. Emphasis will be laid on the history organisations of LGBTI community, their impact and relationships with different civil society organisations. In addition, debates of strategies of these organisations and movements in relation to political parties and parliamentary politics will be surfaced.

2.    Political Economy and the World of Work

The module helps us understand the current debates on economic order in South Africa and internationally. In this module, we discuss the causes and effects of unemployment, underemployment that has created segments of the labour market i.e. casualised, contract and informal employment. There will also be a discussion on the relationships between workplace challenges and community challenges.   

3.    Gender, Race and Class Divisions

This part of the programme explores the make-up of South Africa society in terms of the race, gender and their class relationships and the impact these have on the LGBTI community. It also engages the implications of the race, class and gender diversity for building united political movements and organisations advocating a human rights and LGBTI rights.

4.    Rights and Recourse

The theme explores the idea that the post-Apartheid South Africa is a “rights based society” whose Constitution is exemplary to the values of universal freedom and socioeconomic justice. However, as it will clear in the module these rights are usually not realised in practice especially for the LGBTI community and working class communities. The entry point to these discussions is creating an understanding the concept “equality”. This will help us to understand rights that reside in the Constitution, different pieces of legislation, public policy and were to report violations.     

5.    Facilitation Skills Workshop

In addition to the above, there will be facilitation skills (trainer training) workshops that will accompany these modules. Details of the workshop will be announced to participants during the programme.

Target Group

• Grassroots activists already doing community development work interested LGBIT people in their communities through campaigns and other means to raise awareness.

•  All activists already involved in the programmes of the Lesbian, Gay Equality Project (LGEP) and are willing to contribute to its future programmes.

Duration

•     February 2011-February 2012 (I Year programme). Please note that the Needs Analysis Workshop and Orientation Block will take place later in 2010. Refer to sections below.

•    Further details will be communicated to those selected.

Requirements

•  All participants must be part of the gay and lesbian community or sympathetic to their concerns

•   Minimum standard eight or equivalent with adequate community organising experience is essential

• Ability to speak and write in English is a key requirement.

•  All applicants will be interviewed and expected to write a short comprehension test before admission.

• Only residents of Ekurhuleni (the only exception will be Delmas in Mpumalanga) will participate in the programme

    
Closing Date
31 July 2010 (14:00).
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
NB: Dates for the modules have not been confirmed. However the orientation day will be in July. The programme will be starting early August 2010. Details will be communicated to the successful applicants.
 
Certification
Only non-accredited Certificate of Participation will be awarded to all participants who complete the entire programme. This certificate does not carry any credits towards any formal qualification. The programme is only for capacity building of activists and not for any job training.

Fees
All the materials, facilitation and refreshments and accommodation will be free for all selected participants.

Please send your applications and enquiries to:
Facsimile: 086 652 9523 or
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For any enquiry please call Mojalefa Musi on: (011) 487-3811  

A.    Needs Analysis Workshop

Due to the nature of the programme and the challenges the LGBTI community faces, there will be a process of consultation with the Equality Project’s activist base to test our assumptions  of the ongoing challenges and the interventions the Equality Project wishes to help activists in their advocacy and organising work;. In addition, this will be to inform the Cadre Development Programme in order to make it relevant to needs of its activist base.

Attendance of these workshops is not a condition for acceptance on to the Cadre Development Programme.

B.    Orientations Workshop

The Workshop is meant to ensure that we introduce the Cadre Development Programme properly to participants. In so doing get to know their expectations of the programme and their concerns about their participation in it. Secondly, the workshop should enable participants to build a “collective learning community” and a network of grassroots activists.  In addition, participants will be expected to share their life stories (histories) as part of the introductions and building networks.

Thirdly, we are hoping to agree a Code of Conduct for both Participants and Facilitators on the Programme. Lastly all participants will be expected to have developed their individualised email addresses to facilitate electronic communication. Facilities will be made available.  More information will be shared in due course.