ABCD AFRICA TRAINING

ABCD Africa Association Training 2026

Strengthening African-Led Asset-Based Practice for Healing, Change & Collective Power

In partnership with the ABCD Institute, DePaul University, Chicago, USA

How do we co-create spaces where change and healing happen, for ourselves and with others, grounded in African wisdom, lived experience and community strength?

This ABCD Africa Association training is designed specifically for practitioners, community organisers, facilitators and leaders in Africa committed to nurturing change that rises from within their own people, cultures and contexts.

Grounded in Asset-Based Citizen-led Development (ABCD) and African traditions of solidarity, Ubuntu and collective care, this training centres the knowledge, resilience and leadership already present in African communities.

Together, we will explore how to:

• Identify, honour and activate the strengths, skills and resources already within communities
• Shift from externally imposed, deficit-based models to African-led, strengths-driven action
• Strengthen relationships, trust and reciprocity as foundations for sustainable change
• Support individuals and groups to reclaim voice, dignity and collective agency
• Weave cultural wisdom, story, ritual and ancestral knowledge into community practice

Participants will reflect on:

• How their personal and professional identities shape their work in their own communities
• The ways their experiences, wounds and gifts inform their leadership
• How power is held, shared and transformed through ABCD
• How healing happens through belonging, participation and mutual responsibility

This training acknowledges that our work as practitioners also transforms us, shaping how we hold space, lead and accompany others.

What becomes possible when African communities fully recognise and mobilise their own strengths?

When we rise together as a community of “do”-ers and “be”-ers?

Through shared storytelling, appreciative inquiry and practical ABCD tools, participants will explore how collective action, hope and asset-based thinking can generate lasting, community-led change across African contexts.

Training Structure & Schedule

6 x 3-hour interactive online sessions

Thursdays | 12, 19 & 26 February & 5, 12 & 19 March 2026

Time options:

• 9:00am – 12:00pm SAST
• 6:00pm – 9:00pm AEDT

Your Training Team

Professor Hanna Nel, a professor in the Department of Social Work and Community Development at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), is a passionate researcher and educator.

Janine Ward, a qualified Social Worker and has worked for 40 years in asset-based citizen-led development (ABCD) in several African countries, sharing her passion for this transformative development approach.

Amelia Visagie is the expertise lead for stakeholder engagement and is responsible for the growth and eminence of the Sustainability Business Unit at Zutari. She has recently been promoted to Associate Design Director to co-create meaningful impact on infrastructure projects. She has over 35 years of experience in government and the private sector and has acted as a business consultant in various areas.

Bernie Dolley, a seasoned ABCD facilitator, former Founding Director of Ikhala Trust for 20 years, now an independent ABCD facilitator. She has travelled extensively internationally sharing her practice and experience and is a passionate advocate of asset-based community-driven development (ABCD) and believes that if this approach were adopted across all spheres of government, civil society, corporate and communities at large, we would witness authentic sustainable development practices.

Andile Maphumulo is a Manager responsible for social, community development and stakeholder engagement strategy development and implementation.

Judith Mtsewu, Founder and Director of Hluma Sonke Consultancy. This consultancy follows a people-centered and human-rights approach to community development; voice (public participation) and meaningful partnerships. Judith’s research interest is in strengthening of organisations; Building integrated and resilient ecosystems; Partnerships.