THE Salvation Army's International Headquarters (IHQ) is pleased to announce a rescheduled launch for Learning Pathways – a distance learning opportunity for Salvationists and friends passionate about engaging with their community. The launch, originally planned for last year but disrupted by coronavirus containment measures, will now take place on Tuesday 27 April 2021. This will take the form of a series of connected videos, presented in English but with subtitles available in a number of additional languages. The content will be accessible from 10 am UK time on this date via the Learning Pathways website (sar.my/learningpathways) and IHQ’s social media channels.
With the Learning Pathways course eventually covering certificate-, diploma- and degree-level content, the online learning facility – in partnership with Booth University College, Canada –will offer an opportunity for anyone connected with The Salvation Army to deepen their understanding in the areas of community engagement, community development and community project management. The certificate-level material gives the foundation for engaging with a community using an Integrated Mission and Faith-Based Facilitation approach, bringing together theology and best practice, giving practical skills for community engagement and for supporting course participants’ personal development.
The 45-minute launch event will offer potential participants a chance to discover more, and to put questions and comments to the Learning Pathways team using the special hashtag #TSALearningPathways. Videos will include contributions from General Brian Peddle, the international leader of The Salvation Army, as well as from participants from various countries involved in the Learning Pathways pilot course and others with a passion for community engagement.
Any member, officer, employee or volunteer of The Salvation Army is able to participate in the certificate-level course. It is available electronically or in a downloadable print-ready version. All certificate course materials will be available in English, French, Hindi, Mizo, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Tamil. In time, it is anticipated that even more languages will be added.
Major Joan Münch, Capacity Development and Resource Consultant at IHQ, who has project-managed the Learning Pathways initiative, says: ‘Community engagement is at the heart of what we do as The Salvation Army – or should be doing! Sometimes we need to remind ourselves about how to do this well. This course takes us back to our roots and sends us out into the community, right where we need to be. Launching the Learning Pathways course content means offering skills training on community engagement for all of us in our local neighbourhoods.’
Following the launch of the certificate material, follow-up virtual training events will be offered to train territorial Learning Pathways coordinators to support students in their home territories.