Looking beyond the Familiar - in September 2024

From September 1 to 14, 2024, the second leadership seminar under the theme “Rural Women get a Voice– Tools for Volunteer Leaders” took place at the Trainingscenter of BBV, the House of the Bavarian Agriculture at Lake Ammersee. Come with us and see, how it was:

Among the guests from Kenya and Zambia: in the front row, on the left: trainer Brigitta Villaronga; in the back, center: project manager Angelika Eberl; in the front row, on the right: speaker Dr. Brigitte Klamt and Deputy Secretary General Dr. Andrea Fuß.

Travel Challenges

As in the first seminar in March this year, delays were caused by the issuance of passports by Kenyan authorities and the application and approval of visas by the German Embassy. Some participants were denied visas, a decision that seemed hard to justify given their volunteer roles and responsibilities in their home countries. Despite these challenges, all attending participants successfully returned home after the seminar.

  Ms Stella Okaya Morina, Embassador for Kenya in Berlin, Germany

Program and Key Learning Areas
The seminar opened with an inspiring video message from the Kenyan ambassador in Germany, Ms Stella Okaya Morina. Over the following days, the focus was on action-oriented, practical learning. Two experienced trainers guided participants through a wide range of topics, including communication strategies, management techniques, and internal politics within associations.

1. Communication
   The importance of communication in leadership roles was explored in depth, supported by practical exercises like archery – a creative way to highlight focus and goal-setting.

     The Magic of Conflict: Active conflict resolution and improving personal skills in managing conflicts were key components.

    

2. Management and Association Work
   Participants visited the BBV (Bavarian Farmers’ Association) headquarters in Munich. Dr. Andrea Fuss, BBV’s first female Deputy Secretary General, introduced the association and led discussions on its statutes, financing, and strategies for member recruitment and retention. BBV President Günther Felßner addressed the challenges in association work, focusing on EU policies and engaging youth.Dr. Brigitte Klamt provided insights into the women’s division’s project work ... and we had a brief encounter with Bavaria's Minister of Agriculture, Michaela Kaniber – just a quick moment on the staircase, but still!

    

    

     Dr. Andrea Fuss                                                               Dr. Brigitte Klamt

     BBV-President Günther Felßner                 Michaela Kaniber, Minister for Agriculture in Bavaria

3. Visit to the Green Center in Puch
    The visit included the BBV branch office and the agricultural office, covering topics such as land use, the role of a young female                 manager, and team acceptance.

  A Group Foto in Puch                                   Beatrice Bwayo thanks  Dr. Mayer                                       Nkolola Halwindi thanks BBV-manageress Christina Schenkel

4. Personal Leadership Skills
In the module “My Leadership”, participants reflected on their leadership style and competencies, honing their facilitation and collaboration skills.

  Beatrice Bwayo presents herself to the audience

 5. Mastering Negotiations
Introduction to the Havard Negotiation Model and immediate exercise in role-play deepen the lessons learnt. Techniques to improve negotiation skills through active listening were particularly sought after. 

6. Collaboration and Networking
We don´t know, what we don´t know - the need for feedforward from others. Valuable international networks emerged during the seminar. Participants learned networking strategies and shared experiences in peer consultations. 

• Team Building: Structures, processes, patterns, and cultures were explored.

   

Special Experiences and Practical Examples
Visits to local farms and presentations by external speakers enriched the seminar. Two successful farms - because the whole family acts a good and trustful team. Participants visited dairy farms, an ostrich farm, and the Glentleiten Museum, where they experienced Bavarian agriculture and culture firsthand.

Maxi Knoller, SeeKuhHof in Tutzing                                                                       Barbara Wiedemann, Ostrich-farm in Memming

             Bettina Hanfstingl, a farmer from Rosenheim, offered insights into Bavarian farming, sharing machines at Maschinenring and taught traditional folk dances.

  Tasty baking experience: Elke Sommer, employee at the Bavarian Agricultural Center, baked apple pie with the participants – a delightful cultural exchange enjoyed by all.

The program also included lectures on the agricultural policy of the European Union and the international engagement of the federal state of Bavaria by Martin Schüssler from the Bavarian Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Forestry. The participants were asked to pay attention to the four levels of listening and conversing. A good exercise. 

Projektmanager Angelika Eberl thanks Martin Schüssler, for his interesting speech about the international projects in Africa implemented by the Freestate Bavaria.

Closing and Feedback
The seminar received overwhelmingly positive feedback, fostering intercultural exchange and breaking prejudices. Two notable participant comments:

• “The seminar exceeded my expectations. I gained opportunities, inspiration, and a clear vision for my path to success.”

• “The seminar was excellent – practical and engaging. My favourite topics were conflict management, teamwork, negotiation, collaboration, and association work in Bavaria.”

Conclusion
The leadership seminar was a resounding success, equipping the participants with valuable tools and insights to apply in their home countries. Continuing such seminars will further strengthen the skills and networks of rural women and promote rural development on a global scale.