11 -13 February 2019, Geneva, Switzerland- A successful training session requires several essential key skills and methods from the trainer to provide an optimal learning environment for their audience. While trainers sometimes are pressured to fit their presentation in a given and often limited time period, a few methods and techniques can help ensure that a trainer is not only delivering the content but is also acting as an engaging facilitator of discussion for the participants. Especially body language, tone, and approach make a major difference in the learning experience of the participants. Hence, to further enhance out the trainers and experts’ capacities; UNITAR’s Division for Multilateral Diplomacy recently organized a successful workshop on Training of Trainers.

The three-day training workshop was attended by five experts from a range of professional backgrounds. These experts are specialized in various fields ranging from Disarmament, Migration, International Culture, as well as Diplomatic Protocol and Etiquette. The training workshop was delivered by Mr Jerome L’host a dedicated Senior Consultant based in Geneva and Moscow that has worked with UNITAR’s Division for Multilateral Diplomacy for many years. Over the last sixteen years Mr L’host has worked internationally with both the public and private sector where he performed numerous presentations and motivational speeches for HEC Geneva, EPFL Chair of Entrepreneurship as well the Swiss-French Chamber of Commerce.

The overall aim of this training was to ensure experts and trainers recognize their own personal learning styles and learn how to adapt their presentations to different target audiences. Therefore, the training was designed to include numerous practical simulation sessions and exercises. During these simulation exercises, participants were also expected to practice on how to incorporate icebreakers and energizers in their presentations to ensure the trainer and the trainees are on the same page and emotion to have the ultimate learning experience. Each trainer received feedback on their presentation from Mr L’host and the participants, taking up the role of related target audience ranging from policy-makers to university students. The focus of this feedback was on the presenter’s strengths and weaknesses and to provide suggestions on improving their style and skills by integrating various useful techniques and tactics.

By the end of the training workshop, the participants were able to recognize their own personal approach as trainers and how to further improve their capacities. The participants made steady progress, demonstrating more confidence and mastery in their presentations. The training was deemed very successful by the participants, where the overall satisfaction of the participants was extremely high as 100% of them felt that they met the course learning objectives and that they will use their acquired knowledge in future trainings.