Report :

FNF organized an in-depth online seminar on “strategic planning” from 7 April up to 6 July 2008. The seminar was divided into three phases: the first phase was an online general discussion about the principles of planning through doing some readings, differences between central and liberal planning, and a cartoon competition. The second phase, which was online as well (19 May up to 15 June), was a preparatory stage prior to going to Gummersbach, and was entitled “Planning, Politics, and Democracy.” This stage included around 23 individuals who were actually selected to go to attend the course in Germany. This stage addressed the “game of democracy” and comprised a group homework about the area of the Mediterranean, which was presented during the course, and it was about the most important liberal currents or organizations in the area, as well as the challenges, opportunities, and strategies used.  

The major and the most important part of the course was the one that comprised the physical presence of the participants for two weeks (22 June – 6 July) in Theodor Heuss Academy affiliated to the FNF in Gummersbach. The participants came from different backgrounds: Latin America, the Middle East, South Africa, and Eastern Europe. Moreover, the experiences also varied; there were representatives of some political parties, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The seminar included several activities, theoretical, case studies, group work, as well as field visits (such as a visit to a company, a publicity company, as well as the military academy). The group also visited the cities of Cologne and Hamburg and took tours around to see the major sites of both.

At the beginning of the course the participants were welcomed, and the agenda reviewed, and expectations of the course were expressed. Different representatives made presentations about the different regions from which they come in an exercise similar to what be called the “World Cafeteria,” as the different parts were previously introduced during the online phase and the characteristics and challenges of liberalism were reviewed. This was followed by a theoretical part about the concept of strategies, the major thinkers who dealt with the idea of strategic planning, and the meaning of strategic planning in this context. After this theoretical background, the group received training on the various tools of analysis, and the steps of strategic planning, starting with the vision and mission statements, going through the analysis of the internal and external environment, the analysis of the points of strength and weakness of the organization, and the strategic alternatives or solutions. All of these steps were linked to executive planning, and the concepts of continued monitoring and evaluation.

At the closing of the session, the participants made a general evaluation of the course, the facilitators, and the accommodation and they gave their suggestions concerning development. The evaluation of the participants was very positive, as the course was indeed a sturdy meal during which the participants were able to exchange experience and to communicate with various cultures, all of which had a great impact on making the participants feel enriched and sad upon the time of departure.