Workshop Prepares Senior Judges to Train Fellow Magistrates

December 2014

From May 21–23, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) held a training of trainers for 12 senior judges and civil society leaders on effective skills for teaching human rights issues. Held in Lusaka, the training addressed the use of participatory, adult learner-centered methods.

Trainers from the Zambian Women Judges’ Association, civil society organizations and ABA ROLI utilized interactive teaching methods, including simulation exercises, and provided additional guidance on how to replicate the participatory training methods during provincial magistrate trainings.

The first day of the training centered on a discussion of participatory, adult-centered teaching method and its importance, adults’ varying learning styles and how trainers should adjust their presentations accordingly. Participants later broke into smaller groups to practice the interactive techniques they learned about and discussed their plans and strategies for conducting subsequent magistrate trainings successfully.

During the second day, participants reviewed the contents of the ABA ROLI-developed judicial training manual together and in smaller groups. Additionally, the smaller groups conducted mock trainings and shared their feedback on the manual and the training.

The final day of the workshop consisted mainly of 30 to 40-minute group presentations on concepts contained in the manual. Presentations were followed by constructive critiques and discussions. At the end of the training, participants took a post-training survey, which revealed that trainees were more likely to use participatory methods of adult education in training their colleagues and that they feel more confident and prepared to lead judicial workshops.

To learn more about our work in Zambia, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at rol@americanbar.org.