First Cycle of ‘Action Learning and Exposure Programme’ Concludes
The closing session of Action Learning and Exposure Programme (ALEP) was jointly organised by Competence in Motion unit, GIZ India and Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 11 September 2014 in New Delhi. Ms Niharika Barik Singh, Director, DEA and Dr Christine Bigdon, Director, Competence in Motion invited the participants to share their experiences and learning from the programme and also handed over the certificates for successful completion of ALEP. Among the guests were Mr Kurt Strasser, Senior Sector Specialist, KfW Office India, GIZ sector specialists, staff members of DEA and alumni of previous programmes.
ALEP-Cycle 1 was implemented from January-September 2014.
The competency based Action Learning and Exposure Programme is offered under ‘Strengthening Management Capacities for International Cooperation’, a project jointly implemented by GIZ and DEA. ALEP is an innovative tailor-made programme which intends to strengthen the capabilities of professionals working in Indo-German Development Cooperation. Participants are of the rank equivalent to Under Secretary, Section Officer and similar positions from DEA, line ministries, state departments, PSUs and GIZ.
ALEP comprises five interrelated modules spread over 18 days. The first cycle of the programme started in Delhi in January 2014 with Module 1, which focused on the emerging International Cooperation landscape. In February 2014, Module 2 took the participants on a sensing journey to an Indo-German bilateral cooperation project in Nashik, Maharashtra. Excellence in professional performance was the focus of Module 3, which took place in Kanyakumari in May 2014. Shortly thereafter, Module 4 extended opportunities to meet partners of German Development Cooperation at their workplaces (in Germany) through a Study Tour to Germany in June 2014. Module 5 focused on consolidating the Competency Development Yatra of the participants by providing a platform to share experiences, applaud achievements and discuss challenges, in order to find solutions and facilitate learning. It was held in New Delhi in September 2014 and ended with the closing session.
Participants of ALEP-Cycle 1 appreciated the experience by highlighting that the competencies strengthened during the programme, especially self-management, communication skills and Managing for Development Results (MfDR) will be applied at their workplace for improving efficiency and effectiveness in managing projects.
ALEP-Cycle 2 will commence in November 2014.