CISV INTERNATIONAL BASIC TRAINING CURRICULUM

WELCOME TO THE CISV INTERNATIONAL BASIC

TRAINING CURRICULUM!
This document defines standards for all training curricula across CISV. It enables the
Training and Quality Assurance Committee, together with other Committees, to uphold
consistency and quality in the development and review of training curricula. It guides
Committees in striking a balance between commonalities across all CISV trainings and the
specifics pertaining to a particular training.

1. DEFINITIONS AND CONTEXT

TRAINING

Training is the process of giving people the tools that will enable them to achieve certain
goals and the skills necessary to take action toward these goals. Leadership training has a
very high priority in CISV and is required for all people with positions of responsibility in CISV
Programmes and at every level of CISV’s organizational structure.

QUALITY STANDARDS FOR TRAINING

CISV uses quality standards for training, which assure consistently high quality of training
throughout the organization.

Training Standard 1: Certification

CISV International trainers are required to be certified through the global Train The Trainer
(TTT) system. It is recommended that national and local CISV trainers are TTT certified. CISV
International, through its Training Regional Delivery Teams, supports each National and
Promotional Association to maintain an appropriate number of TTT certified trainers.

Training Standard 2: Curriculum

Each training in CISV has an agreed upon curriculum which defines the subject matter
content to be covered (elements) and the learning outcomes (goals and indicators) that are
to be achieved through that training.

Training Standard 3: Trainees

All staff and leaders receive the agreed training before participating in Programmes. CISVers
with positions of organizational leadership should receive training in their areas of
responsibility.

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Training Standard 4: Evaluation

CISV training is evaluated to determine its effectiveness and determine ways to improve
training curricula and presentation.

TRAINING CURRICULUM: A CISV training curriculum identifies the learning outcomes

(training goals and indicators) and the mandatory content (elements) of a CISV International
training course. Every training curriculum must include training goals, indicators and
elements. Each curriculum reflects the specific training needs of the different work areas in
CISV and is designed for specified target groups of learners.

ELEMENT: A training element is a defined topic area that is covered in a CISV training. An
element may be completed through one or several training sessions. The titles of the seven
elements in the Basic Training Curriculum name the mandatory topic areas to be covered in
all CISV International trainings. Within each element, there will be one section with narrative
text that elaborates on the meaning and importance of the element, a key word list of topics
to cover, online resources relevant to the element, and the training indicators covered by
that element. It is recommended to limit the total number of elements to seven.

TRAINING GOALS AND INDICATORS

A training goal is a training outcome formulated in general terms. It describes what we want
participants to learn or develop. Goals are broken down into more specific competencies
called indicators.

An indicator refers to specific learning outcomes which are formulated as an attitude, skill,
or knowledge item (ASK) that we want participants to acquire or to develop as a result of the
training.

CISV has a set of common training goals and indicators. The four goals of every CISV
International training (Programme and organizational development) must be identical with
the common training goals. When developing or reviewing training curricula, a CISV
Committee may modify indicators to reflect the learning needs of their specific training
audience.

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Overview: Scale of importance of Elements for specific trainees

Effective CISV’s
Introducing CISV as an Educational Risk Communicating
Element leadership educational
CISV organization evaluation management CISV
and teamwork approach
Audience: Programme-related roles

Delegation Leaders       

Programme staff  
    

Programme
directors
      
Audience: Organizational development roles
NA and Chapter
board members

     
Risk managers     
 
PR and fundraising
coordinators       
Junior Branch       

Newcomers to CISV       

 = Very important; must be at the heart of the training and discussed in-depth.
 = Of medium importance; must be mentioned and explained in some detail.
 = Of minor importance; must be mentioned only.

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2. CISV’S COMMON TRAINING GOALS AND INDICATORS

Goal 1: To prepare trainees to use CISV’s approach to active global citizenship

a) Understand how Peace education is relevant to active global citizenship

b) Understand CISV’s educational principles and methods (attitudes, skills, knowledge
[ASK]), Experiential learning, Four content areas (diversity, human rights, conflict and
resolution, sustainable development), themes, statement of purpose)
c) Be able to plan, deliver and evaluate educational activities
d) Be able and willing to actively support and promote CISV’s educational principles

Goal 2: To prepare trainees to effectively undertake their practical responsibilities within

CISV

a) Understand the specific responsibilities and resources required to fulfil a particular

role
b) Understand how individual responsibilities are important in a wider context
c) Be able to apply practical needs necessary to fulfil a particular role
d) Be willing to adopt a proactive and responsible attitude

Goal 3: To prepare trainees to contribute to the development and growth of CISV as an

organization

a) Be willing to seek opportunities for cooperation inside and outside the organization
b) Be able to apply best practices and lessons learned
c) Be willing to actively contribute to continuous improvement
d) Understand how the strategic direction of CISV relates to individuals

Goal 4: To prepare trainees to interact effectively and appropriately in diverse environments

a) Develop an understanding of self and others

b) Be able to make a positive contribution to a group environment
c) Be able to respond appropriately to change and conflict
d) Be willing to act inclusively and with an open mind

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3. BASIC TRAINING ELEMENTS: COMMON CONTENT FOR EACH

CISV TRAINING
The following names of elements may be adapted to suit the specific needs of a certain
training. The content, however, as explained on the following pages must be covered in all
trainings. The depth with which the content is covered may vary between trainings. These
may be completed as part of a session or in a group of sessions. The elements will be
developed and covered in more or less detail, depending on the specific training and
audience.

ELEMENT 1: INTRODUCING CISV

ELEMENT 2: CISV AS AN ORGANIZATION

ELEMENT 3: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK

ELEMENT 4: CISV’S EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

ELEMENT 5: EVALUATION

ELEMENT 6: RISK MANAGEMENT

ELEMENT 7: COMMUNICATING CISV

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ELEMENT 1: INTRODUCING CISV

Founded in 1950, CISV is a global organization whose purpose is to ’Educate and inspire
action for a more just and peaceful world‘. This element introduces the history of CISV and
the Statement of Purpose. It outlines the idea of peace education in CISV Programmes,
stressing the importance of intercultural experience and the building of friendship across
cultures. It also shows the organization’s contribution to research and its commitment to
continuous improvement using quality standards.

By being introduced to these concepts trainees will recognise the longevity of CISV as an
organization and recognise its focus on education and research.

Key aspects to consider when introducing CISV include

• History of CISV

• Peace education and research

• Statement of Purpose

Links

• Info File: R-10 CISV Statement of Educational Purpose

• Info File: T-02 Big Education Guide

• Info File: T-03 The Passport

• CISV International Website: Our History

• Just Saying – A Guide to Communicating CISV

Training indicators covered: 1d); 3c); 3d)

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ELEMENT 2: CISV AS AN ORGANIZATION

As a global organization, CISV has developed a structure that enables local participants to
participate in international experiences. The organization has international, regional,
national and local components that work together to provide educational opportunities that
prepare participants to be active global citizens.

Training in this element will introduce the structure of CISV, showing the relationship
between international, regional, national, and local levels. Trainees will learn how their role
relates to and is part of CISV internationally.

Key aspects to consider when explaining CISV include

• Structure of the organization

• How do the structures (local, national, international) work together?

• Where do you fit in?

Links

• CISV International Website: Running CISV International

• Info File: C-15 List of CISV International Member Associations

• Info File: P-02 CISV Cooperation with Organizations Having Similar Objectives

• Just Saying – A Guide to Communicating CISV

• Organizational Training web pages

Training indicators covered: 2a); 2b); 3a); 3b); 3c); 4 d)

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ELEMENT 3: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK

As a volunteer organization, CISV depends on the leadership of its members. Volunteers
take leadership roles in the organization’s National Associations and Chapters, the
international organization and the educational Programmes. This element introduces skills
that trainees can apply when in any position of responsibility.

Content for sessions and activities that will develop trainees’ skills needed for effective
leadership may include:

• An introduction to leadership styles and how to apply them in group situations

• Communication skills for trainers
• Stages of group development and facilitation
• Strategies for teamwork and collaboration
• Techniques for giving and receiving feedback
• Techniques for negotiating and learning from conflict
• Inclusion and exclusion
• Suggestions for working with diverse audiences

Links

• Info File: R-07 Behaviour Policy

Training indicators covered: 2c); 2d); 3a); 3b); 3c); 4a); 4b); 4c); 4d)

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ELEMENT 4: CISV’S EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

CISV’s educational content focuses on peace education to inspire its member to become
active global citizens. CISV’s educational principles reflect the thoughts and behaviour of its
members and serve as a bridge between the mission of CISV and its educational approach.
Activities and Programmes are planned according to a defined set of attitudes, skills and
knowledge (ASK) that participants should acquire while participating in an activity or
Programme. Themes are developed from one of the four content areas: Sustainable
Development, Human Rights, Conflict and Resolution, and Diversity. Using experiential
learning methods, participants set goals and find ways to apply experiences in their daily
lives.

By being trained in this element, participants will be able to understand CISV’s Educational
Approach and its role in preparing CISVers to become active global citizens.

Keywords outlining CISV’s educational approach include

• CISV educational principles

• ASK for active global citizenship

• Learning by doing

• Content areas

• Themes and activity/meeting planning

Links

• Info File: T-02 Big Education Guide (Big Ed)

• Info file: T-03 The Passport

• CISV International Website: Educational activities

• Activity templates

• Essentials of Peace Education Training Curriculum

Training indicators covered: 1a); 1b); 1d); 3a); 3b); 3c); 3d)

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ELEMENT 5: EVALUATION
Educational evaluation is a quality assurance process, which uses goal-based planning as a
basis for evaluation. By identifying attitudes, skills and knowledge (ASK) that are to be
achieved to reach goals, evaluation becomes an ongoing process. This process gives the
organization a way to gather evidence and find trends. Using this evidence CISV is able to
demonstrate its effectiveness as an educational organization.

Training in this element will introduce participants to the various evaluation tools that are
used by CISV and the methods for using the tools. Skills for giving and receiving feedback
based on evaluation will help ensure that CISV continues to learn from and respond to the
evidence gathered by evaluation.

Key aspects of CISV’s approach to evaluation include

• Goals based approach

• Evaluation methods and tools

• Giving and Receiving Feedback

• Using evaluation for action planning and setting personal goals

Links

• Info File: T-02 Big Education Guide (Big Ed)

• Essentials of Peace Education Training Curriculum

• Well Done - a guide to Quality Assurance

Training indicators covered: 1c); 1d); 3a); 3b); 3c); 3d)

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ELEMENT 6: RISK MANAGEMENT

CISV provides many unique educational experiences, which contain elements of risk. There
is no way to eliminate risk, but there are ways to assess and minimize the risk. It is very
important to learn to be aware of potential risk and how to act responsibly in a crisis
situation.

This element will prepare trainees to recognize and minimize elements of risk and aspects
of child protection. Trainees will learn CISV’s priorities and process for responding to and
documenting incidents that may occur, and ways to respond to crisis.

Key aspects of risk management training include

• Child protection

• Creating a safe environment

• Risk: Definition and assessment

• Handling incidents in CISV

Links:

• Info File: N-01 Risk Management Overview

• Info File: N-06 Essential Risk Management in CISV

• CISV International Website: Risk management

Training indicators covered: 2a); 2b); 2c; 2d); 3b); 3c); 4c)

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ELEMENT 7: COMMUNICATING CISV

We are all ambassadors of CISV, whatever our role. To communicate CISV clearly and
effectively, we all need to follow some basic guidance. We first need to think about the
people we are communicating with – e.g. their age, interests, concerns, etc. We then need
to make sure we speak to them in the right ‘language’ and think about what they need to
know, and what is the best way to get the message over to them.

Part of our duty to protect the CISV ‘brand’ means we need to take care to follow our visual
Brand Guidelines. We also need to respect copyrights and ‘property’ of others, always
acknowledging the work of others and asking for their permission to use it. Social media is a
great method of communicating- it is also open to abuse. We also have an important duty to
protect each other and should all understand and follow some simple guidelines when we
communicate this way in the name of CISV.

Key aspects of CISV communication training include

• Communicating CISV clearly and effectively
• Raising the profile of CISV
• CISV branding
• Guidelines for communicating in crises
• Risk management in communications

Links:
• Just Saying – A Guide to Communicating CISV
• Looking Good – CISV’s Brand Guideline
• Crisis Communications Guide
• Public Relations Guide

Training indicators covered: 1d); 2a); 2b); 2c); 2d); 3a); 3d)

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CISV Basic Training Curriculum: Which element covers which goals and indicators?

Element Introducing CISV as an Effective CISV’s Educational Risk Communicating

CISV Organization Teamwork Educational Evaluation Managemen CISV
and Approach t
Goal, Indicator Leadership

Goal 1 1d 1a; 1b; 1d 1c; 1d 1d

2a; 2b; 2c;

Goal 2 2a; 2b 2c; 2d 2a; 2b; 2c; 2d
2d

3a; 3b; 3c; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3b;

Goal 3 3c; 3d 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3b; 3c 3a; 3d
3d 3d 3c

Goal 4 4d 4a; 4b; 4c; 4d 4c

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