Training Sessions

COOPERATIVE MEDIATION SERVICES (CMS)

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING PROGRAMME

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING - ONE DAY INTENSIVE TRAINING

Venue: Nairobi, Kenya,

Date: October 6th, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

BACKGROUND

Cooperatives, by their nature, are member-driven enterprises built on principles of democracy, equality, and solidarity. However, like any organization involving diverse individuals, disputes can arise over governance, management, profit distribution, membership rights, and compliance with cooperative bylaws. In many contexts, these disputes are either unresolved may lead to member dissatisfaction and potential collapse of cooperatives or are referred to formal courts, which can be costly, time-consuming, and adversarial.

It is within this background ICA Africa is organizing a half day training workshop on Alternative Disputes Resolutions Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to equip cooperative leaders and members on distinguishing Dispute Resolution Methods, Conflict Analysis and Management, Mediation Process and Techniques, Negotiation and Conciliation and arbitration skills and knowledge hence offer a more cooperative-friendly, timely, and cost-effective way to address disputes while preserving relationships, trust, and the cooperative’s long-term sustainability.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of mediation, negotiation, conciliation and dialogue applications in resolving conflicts within cooperatives and communities
2. Distinguish between ADR, Arbitration, and Litigation processes
3. Acquire essential ADR techniques through interactive role-plays
4. Integrate ADR strategies into professional and community contexts
5. Enhance confidence in managing conflicts and facilitating productive dialogues

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

By the end of this training, participants will:

1. Have a thorough understanding of ADR principles and practices
2. Be equipped with practical skills in mediation, negotiation, conciliation and dialogue
3. Be able to conduct basic conflict analysis and develop effective resolution strategies
4. Have improved ability to facilitate constructive dialogues and negotiations
5. Receive a certificate of completion recognizing their enhanced ADR capabilities

CONCEPT NOTE: DESIGN DASH: INNOVATING FOR AFRICA'S COOPERATIVES

Venue: Nairobi, Kenya.

Date: October 6th, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

CONTEXT
In Africa, cooperatives are vital for advancing shared prosperity, financial inclusion, and socioeconomic development. Their success relies on member engagement, trust, community, and alignment with members’ needs.

Yet, many cooperatives struggle to adapt to changing markets, evolving member priorities, and rapid technological advancements. Design Thinking—a human-centered approach—offers a way forward by creating solutions with users rather than for them. This reinforces the cooperative principle of member participation while providing modern innovation tools to tackle real challenges.

The question then is “How can we tackle the complex, human-centered problems that traditional methods often miss?”

A human-centered approach that begins and ends with the people we seek to serve; Design Thinking provides a new perspective. It places a strong emphasis on designing with users rather than for them, making sure that solutions are based on the contexts, goals, and lived experiences of cooperative members.

TECHNIQUES

Participants will take part in a fast-paced, interactive group exercise covering the five stages of human-centered design: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test. Working on an actual cooperative challenge, they will reframe problems, generate ideas, and quickly produce tangible concepts. The emphasis will be on participation, speed, and practical application.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Experience a rapid, human-centered problem-solving process.
• Recognize the value of involving members in co-creating solutions.
• Understand how design thinking can foster innovation in African cooperatives.
• Apply design thinking stages to reframe problems and develop prototypes.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will leave with:

• Hands-on experience applying a structured innovation process.
• At least one actionable idea or prototype relevant to their cooperative.
• Greater confidence in facilitating member-driven innovation.
• A shared language for creative problem-solving across the movement.

TARGET:

Cooperative Leaders, Cooperative Development Partners.