In May, 14 young people from 7 IFM-SEI organisations came together in the idyllic country centre, Darsham, with the aim of getting new skills, tools and inspiration to create their own action plans to tackle power-based violence in their organisations. One key focus of the training was to become acquainted with the I Act campaign – the idea that we should all be active bystanders to prevent sexual violence, moving away from the perpetrator-survivor focus onto wider community accountability.

The participants took part in an intensive and challenging programme, going on a journey through topics such as reflecting on intersectional identities, analysing patterns of sexual violence, exploring power structures in relation to sexual violence and critically analysing our own behaviours and organisations. They also received a Training 101 on the theory and practice of training and content delivery from a general approach, as well as exploring the role of a trainer in relation to the topic of prevention of sexual violence. We also took a deeper look at our own countries and organisations when discussing how to respond to disclosures.

The culmination of the week saw the development of concrete tools on the topic, not just for their own organisations but the wider movement. Four parallel groups worked on each of four topics: creating a toolkit for leaders to educate themselves, children and young people on the topic; development of the online I Act platform and campaign; updating the IFM-SEI Code of Conduct and safeguarding procedures; and planning the I Act Global Action Day on 25 November.

The group came out of the training feeling equipped, empowered and inspired to use the I Act methodology in their own organisations and with their peers, challenging the culture of sexual violence and power-based violence. Hopefully we will see plenty of additions to the I Act 'green thumbprint' map in the next months!