May 6, 2012
In preparation to launch a mapping study of Libyan civil society organizations (CSO’s), AWRAD organized a training seminar for a research team in Libya. Fifteen (15) researchers attended the training representing a number of regions in the country including Tripoli, Benghazi and Serte.
The training aimed at building the capacity of the research team in the areas of questionnaire construction, sample selection, field work organization, interviews and data analysis. Dr. Nader Said (AWRAD’s President) and Joyce Kashou (AWRAD’s Researcher) were available to share the Palestinian experience in building scientific research systems, values and skills. The experience of AWRAD in applied survey research was also conveyed.
The training was followed by a Q and A session where AWRAD team provided answers to questions on the proper application of research within the Libyan context. The training illustrated the need for basic training and capacity building in Libya in this field. For decades, the Libyan research scene was damaged by the repressive regime and culture.
The context and the problems in present Libya are similar to the ones that faced research and development in Palestine when the Palestinian Authority (PA) first transitioned into the West Bank and Gaza. The new democratic transition in Libya allows for a fresh start to the building of a strong infrastructure of research systems and culture that are congruent with international standards.
AWRAD will continue to build the capacity of Libyan researchers and interested institutions in applied research, data collection, data analysis and integration in policy making and programming.
