Trainers as key actors in sensitization sessions toward transformative activites


Communication

Contributeurs:

État de publication: publié

Type de présentation: Poster presentation

Nom de la rencontre: International Conference on Education and New Developments 2016

Lieu: Ljubljana, Slovénie

URL: http://end-educationconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Final-Conference-Program_END-2016.pdf

Résumé: The worldwide rise in obesity makes it the first non-infectious epidemic in human history (Froguel et al., 2000). This rapid increase is influenced more by environment than by biology (Hill et al., 2003). In an effort to halt the trend, Quebec has launched a major awareness-raising campaign that focuses on healthy environments and targets stakeholders in schools, municipalities, communities and health sectors. The purpose of the study, then, was to determine how this campaign can promote action towards building and fostering healthy environments. The theoretical framework is based on planned change (Hall, 1973; in Savoie-Zajc, 1993). Objectives were to 1) identify key roles played by trainers in the sensitization session process; 2) describe and evaluate animation methods used by trainers, and 3) examine the impacts of the sessions. A qualitative approach research was prioritized, consisting in two focus groups conducted with 17 trainers. Findings revealed that, as an agent of change, the trainer plays a key role in implementing the sensitization sessions and this role was expanded to many other ones during the national sensitization process. A multi-method approach during sensitization sessions expanded networking, provided a common frame of reference and a transversal viewpoint, and drove coherent actions for stakeholders involved. The trainers managed to offer conditions which encouraged the transition from awareness to information, thereby generating significant results in terms of action. A sensitization session is thus a prerequisite for training transformation activities aimed at innovation. These results can be related to other contexts, especially educational activities.