During 12-14 December 2007, Sumernet held the first face-to-face training under its Capacity Building component titled “EffectiveCommunications–Skills for writing, presenting, and communicating Sumernet research to policy makers” at Sasa International House, Bangkok, Thailand.The training aimed to enhance the capacity of the Sumernet community by learning to communicate the results of their research more effectively.13 participants, mostly junior to middle levels, from 7 member institutes attended and Mr. Terry Clayton from Red Plough International was the training provider.

Topics of the trainings covered diverse sections essential for the whole processes of conducting research to communications i.e. guidelines for conducting research (mind mapping), Word Processing as tools for writers, generating and organisingideas, making table of contents, interview processes, oral presentation, and policy included policymakers and influences.

Throughout the training, participants had a chance to exchange their ideas, comment on the others’ writing tasks and practice on several subjects. The subjects of exercises were both on familiar and environmental issues. At the end of the training, the participants also created personal action plan for improving their writing skills after the workshop.

According to the evaluation forms, 92% of the participants indicated that the workshop met or exceeded their expectations with 70% indicating “Good” or “Excellent”. The participants also specified their needs which will be considered for the future training courses.

“This workshop gives me opportunities to expand more idea and vision, understand the concept of research writing, as well as exchange and share experiences with other participants”, said Daovinh Souphonphacdy, Researcher from Environment Research Institute in Laos.