Global Judicial Integrity Network Updates Special Edition 'Views' Review | Page 34

VIEWS
groups were asked to discuss the assigned
value, brainstorm and write down its salient
features on flip charts. For optimal effect, I
also facilitated a ‘gallery walk,’ followed by
the individual presentations on the assigned
values, which were open to questions from
the other groups. I contributed, every now
and then, where necessary, to elaborate a
little more on certain points and to respond
to participants’ questions. To conclude the
workshop, I facilitated a discussion of case
studies on judicial ethics issues.
I subsequently received feedback on random
issues from individual participants, and I was
gratified to notice how well they had understood
the spirit of the Bangalore Principles. They all
said it had been a great learning opportunity and
a useful exposure to the Bangalore Principles,
considered to be the bedrock of a successful
judicial career. I also strongly encouraged
participating judges to complete the interesting
e-Learning course offered by UNODC.
All in all, it was an excellent workshop, and
I strongly believe I ascended a steep learning
curve with the Global Judicial Integrity
Network’s train-the-trainers workshop. Even
though I had previously found it hard to deliver
sessions on conduct and ethics, the training
workshop enabled me to conduct a successful
workshop myself. During my own workshop, I
was conscious of the different learning styles
and thus devised a training which suited the
different participants. I had learned that a key
to a successful training session was interaction,
and I used various strategies, including those
mentioned above, to engage and involve
the participants. With my awareness of the
difficulties of group dynamics, I also used
tactics to avoid any disengagement, aggression
or inhibition. Throughout, I was able to adjust
my training after receiving feedback through
questions to the participants.
As a trainer, I believe that you learn every day,
and that it is important to keep learning, to
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enjoy challenges, and to tolerate ambiguity. The
train-the-trainers workshop provided me with
an opportunity to learn and acquire knowledge
which has helped me be a successful judicial
educator. Likewise, the Judicial Conduct and
Ethics Trainers’ Manual is an equally valuable
document which proved to be of great help
when designing and delivering my training.
I strongly recommend that judicial trainers
learn these different methodologies and
teaching techniques, which are applicable to
different learning preferences, and which add
great value and colour to any training session,
as they did to mine.