CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

You are cordially invited to submit your abstracts and participate in IAF 2018. The deadline for submission of abstracts is September 7, 2018. The conference will be held under the theme – SPREADING THE LIGHT OF FACILITATION IN SHADES OF GREY.

The theme lends itself to a rich mix of sub-themes as follows:-

1. Skills and process sessions in Business development, leadership, mainstreaming gender, equity, marketing, climate change, human rights, corporate responsibility, change management, community development, social work and health related work.
2. Facilitation methodologies for enhancing public participation, civil discourse, conflict resolution and inter-generational corporation.
3. Transformation of knowledge, technology, tools, methodologies, experience, expertise, practical skills and innovations to diverse and novel areas.
4. Thinking beyond basics:- the psychology of facilitation, dealing with difficult dynamics, facilitator self refection, facilitation for collective impact and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
5. Special options of facilitation: Virtual, webinar, dynamic, mass (large group), skills building, strategic planning, graphic, theories (body) open space, visualization, outdoor.
6. Knowledge sharing within professional peer groups, networking, brainstorming on social media, integration in real life and research based stuff.
7. Facilitation for self-discovery, creation of opportunities, development of essential social skills, enhancement of results and impact, confidence building, 1 -on- 1 learning, thinking skills, field practice and adoption of innovation.
8. Showing role facilitation in decision-making and problem solving as demands of life in diverse settings. The survival of the fittest individual vs the survival of a united compassionate community of human beings.
9. Great facilitation: - How to deeply connect with participants, facilitation threshold, ensuring participants learn something new, proof of evident deliberations.
10. Facilitations of continuous development programmes.

Kindly be guided by the aforementioned sub-themes to choose and develop a suitable topic for your presentation at the conference.

NOTE:

• Participatory facilitation approach is encouraged while power-point presentations are discouraged.

• All submitted abstracts and papers will be peer reviewed for consideration and approval.
• Papers and presentations demonstrating high impact, balance of theory and practice may be considered for further action.

A vital component of the conference is capacity building based on core values, competencies and standards of IAF.

VENUE

AF 2018 conference will be held at Mombasa Continental Resort in Mombasa City.

The resort is located 15 km North of Mombasa with good transport connections from town and the airport. You can find it on Google Maps here. 

Mombasa is Kenya’s main port and popular holiday city with world class tourist facilities. It is situated on an Island. It’s the only port that serves not only Kenya but land locked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR MOMBASA CONFERENCE

By Air

Mombasa International Airport is served by the following airlines:

• Kenya Airways
• Turkish Airlines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Rwandair

In addition, there are several low-cost airlines that operate between Nairobi and Mombasa, as well as other from other places in Kenya and elsewhere in East Africa.  The two that operate to Mombasa are:

• Fly 540
• Jambojet

Getting to the venue from the airport:

Mombasa Continental Resort is 28km from the Airport.

Taxis can be hired from the airport and will need to be negotiated.  They are likely to cost between KSH 1,500-2,500 (USD 15-25)

By Train

There are two trains per day from Nairobi to Mombasa using the Standard Gauge Railway which can be booked online

• Departure times from Nairobi are 8.00am (arriving at 1.55pm) and 2.30pm (arriving 7.20pm)
• Departure times from Mombasa are 7.15am (arriving at 1.05pm) and 3.15pm (arriving 8.15pm)

It is advisable to book in advance as the trains often get fully booked.

Also be aware that both stations are a long distance from the respective city centres and both are quite near the respective airports.  The google maps locations can be found by clicking on the names:

• Mombasa terminus
• Nairobi terminus

For more information, please check the FAQ page on the Kenya Railways website.

By Bus

Numerous buses operate between Nairobi and Mombasa, as well as from elsewhere in Kenya and other cities in the region, incl. Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha and Kampala.  The companies include:

• Spanish Bus
• Modern Coast
• Mash Bus
• Coast Bus
• Tahmeed Bus

All buses leave from downtown Nairobi and arrive in Mombasa (Mwembe Tayari) and most can be booked online.  However, there are some services going to Mtwapa, meaning that you can be dropped just after Shanzu Teachers College at Serena road junction, about 5km from the Conference venue. 

Buses between Nairobi and Mombasa cost between KSH 1,000 – 2,000 (USD 10-20) and mostly leave either early morning (arriving evening) or late evening (arriving early morning the next day).

By Road

Getting to the venue from Mombasa town by road

• Mombasa Continental Resort is 15km from Mombasa town.
• Take the Mombasa – Malindi highway North of Mombasa.
• Turn Right after Shanzu teachers college.
• Descend with the Shanzu beach road.
• After approx. 5kms, turn right at the T- junction and you are at the entrance.

Local Transport within Mombasa

Local matatus (minibus) can be easily found from Mombasa city centre (from Posta or Buxton).  You should take those going to Mtwapa and ask to be dropped just after Shanzu Teacher’s College at Serena road junction.  The journey will take about 20-30mins and will cost KSH 50-80 (USD 0.50-0.80).

From the junction at Serena Road, take either a Tuk-Tuk (3-wheeled mini taxi) or Piki-Piki (Motorbike) or Taxi.  Rates will need to be negotiated from KSH 50 – 200 (USD 0.50- 2.00) depending on the form of transport chosen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs).

1. What does the conference fee cover?

Answer: It caters for:

• Am & PM tea with snack.
• 2 x 0.5 liter mineral water per person per day.
• Conference stationaries
• Lunch buffet with a soft drink.
• Complimentary use of PA & LCD projector.
• Conference Hall.

Conference fee does not cater for accommodation however, cheapest, affordable, convenient and excellent accommodation can be sought at DIANI CAMPASITE/COTTAGES via face book page. Rates at 35 USD for half board It is 500 meters from the venue of conference and easily accessible via the beach front. BUT LIMITED rooms so book early. More accommodation options will be made available to you in due course.

2. Can I pay more to support another participant?

Answer Yes. Such a fine gesture is so much encouraged.

3. Is it possible to attend only for one (1) day? How much will it cost?

Answer: You are free to do so. Cost of conference fee in that case is 70 USD per day.

4. How do I access the venue from Mombasa International Airport?

Answer: Get a taxi cab @15 to 20 USD from the Moi International Airport to the Likoni ferry which links Mombasa to the south coast. From the Ferry, board a vehicle to Ukunda @10 USD. There is a goal tarmac road spanning 50Km up to Diani Beach where Kaskazi Beach Hotel is located just along the Highway. You can also take a local flight to Diani Airstrip, which is 2Km from the venue at 35USD. If you   get to Standard Gauge Railway  terminus in Mombasa, follow the same procedure given to get to the Conference venue.