Workshop list

2011 December

Workshop on training of grassroots comics, Helsinki

Finland

A one-day introduction to grassroots comics training was given to eight participants as a part of the Finnish Comics Society’s “Anti-racism Initiative ”. The participants were mainly youth activists and comics teachers from different organisations. Intolerance and ethnic conflict were chosen as themes. The workshop was held in Happi youth centre in Helsinki.

2011 November

Grassroots comics for media students, Nykarleby

Finland

Novia – a folk high school in Nykarleby, had a two-day Swedish language workshop on the grassroots comics method for 24 of their media students (their main subject is photography). Their comics were about environment, student life, school and transport issues. Most of the participants explored for their first time comics as a visual communication medium.

2011 November

Grassroots comics workshop, Karis

Finland

VNF – a folk high school in Karis, had a one-day Swedish language workshop on the grassroots comics method for twenty of their visual communication students. The students are taught in making mainstream comics, and this was the first time they made comics about real issues. Their comics were mainly about student life and school issues, such as food, language conflicts, schedules, etc.

2010 October

Comics tutor workshop, Nairobi

Kenya

The workshop was the opening of our cooperation with the organisation Youth Alive! Kenya (www.youthalivekenya.org). We trained eighteen grassroots comics tutors for six different youth and human rights organisations in Nairobi. The tutors ran three test workshops immediately after their training. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Arvela and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland. Funding: Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Cultural Cooperation Funds), Helsinki. Read the full report.

2010 September

Training workshop for school visitors for development education, Helsinki

Finland

The Youth Academy project trains 25 students/activists for a development education campaign using grassroots comics in schools and youth centres. The project intends to make about 225 school visits during 2011 -12. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Anttila and Leif Packalen. Cooperation partner: Nuorten Akatemia (Youth Academy). Funding: Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Development Education Funds).

2011 August

Workshop on the method of grassroots comics, Helsinki

Finland

A one-day introduction to grassroots comics was given to fourteen participants of Helsinki Comics Centre’s “Comics Teacher Training Week”. Five participants came from Latvia, four from Estonia and the rest from Finland. The participants were comics teachers from different organisations and schools. Ethnic conflict was chosen as theme.

2011 March

Grassroots comics workshop, Tampere

Finland

Nine youth workers participated in a workshop to gain skills on the method of grassroots comics for use in youth groups especially in rural municipalities. They came from the network of Nuorten Akatemia (Youth Academy) in Tampere. The workshop was part of the DYNAMO training scheme, which is funded by the European Union. Leif Packalen conducted the workshop.

2011 March

Grassroots comics workshop, Oulu

Finland

Teachers and teacher students were trained in the methods of grassroots comics for global education. The participants came from the network of Maailmankoulu (School for the World) in Oulu. After the workshop, the participants had several new ideas of how to use grassroots comics also in other subjects such as literature, religion, environment and natural sciences, and art. The workshop was run by special education teacher Hanna Anttila, who is also a long time activist of World Comics Finland.

2011 March

Grassroots comics workshop, Turku

Finland

A group of school teachers was trained in how to make and how to use grassroots comics in global education. The response was enthusiastic and the participants were very keen and inspired to use the grassroots comics method in their own teaching. They came from the network of Maailmankoulu (School for the World) in Turku. The workshop was run by comics artist Anna Sailamaa.

2011 March

Teaser workshop on grassroots comics, London

England

Staff members of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) were instructed in the grassroots comics method in a half-day teaser workshop at CAFOD headquarters in London. The workshop was run by Leif Packalen. A small grassroots comics exhibition was shown at a reception for NGO people, and it will also be on display in May in CAFOD's exhibition hall.

2010 November to 2011 January

A story to tell - comics sessions with senior citizens, Vantaa

Finland

Weekly comics sessions with senior citizens who made comics on childhood memories, dramatic events in their lives, and family history. Cooperation partner: Havurasti Center, an activity center for senior citizens in the Havukoski area of Vantaa.

The sessions were facilitated by Leif Packalen and staff at the center.

2010 November

Grassroots comics workshop, Helsinki

Finland

Ten youth workers and teachers were trained in how to make and how to use grassroots comics in youth activities. The participants came from the network of Nuorten Akatemia (Youth Academy) from different parts of Finland. Resource person: Leif Packalen. Funding: Nuorten Akatemia. The workshop was held at the Helsinki Comics Centre.

2010 November

Grassroots comics workshop, Hämeenlinna

Finland

Eight students got training in how to make and how to use grassroots comics in different activities. The participants came from social studies schools in Hämeenlinna. Resource person: Leif Packalen. Funding: ARX-Centre, Hämeenlinna.

2010 July

Comics tutor workshop, Ngozi

Burundi

The workshop trained 20 grassroots comics tutors from eight different organizations, active in Northern Burundi. The newly trained tutors ran test workshops in three locations in Ngozi for about 40 participants. Resource persons: Leif Packalen and Johanna Rojola from World Comics Finland. Cooperation partner: Association pour la Paix et les Droits de l’Homme, Burundi. Funding: Embassy of Finland, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Read the report and see the video.

2009 November

Grassroots comics workshop, the Hague

The Netherlands

Short workshop at the United Networks of Young Peace Builders, African Students Conference.

2009 October-November

Training of trainers, Helsinki

Finland

Training 10 youth workers to incorporate grassroots comics in their activities in the Youth Centers of Helsinki City. Cooperation partner: Helsinki City Authority.

2009 October

Comics tutor workshop in Dudu, Rajasthan

India

Participants: 20 tutor-trainees from India and Nepal. About 40 local ngo-activists participated as a test-group. Resource persons: Ms. Kaisa Leka and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland and Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Government NGO funds and World Comics.

2009 September

Grassroots comics workshop, Silguda

Latvia

Comics workshop for HIV/aids activists. Cooperation partner: Youth against AIDS Coalition. Funding: EU.

2009 September

Training workshop for school visitors, Helsinki

Finland

Training 10 environment activists to carry out a comics campaign in schools on climate change. Cooperation partner: Shalin-Suomi ry. Funding: Foreign Ministry, development education funds.

2009 August

Training workshop for school visitors, Helsinki

Finland

Training 24 students/activists for a globalisation comics campaign in schools and youth centers. Cooperation partner: Nuorisoakatemia (Youth Academy). Funding: Foreign Ministry, development education funds.

2009 March

Grassroots comics workshop, Tallinn

Estonia

Comics workshop for NGO activists interested in international cooperation. Cooperation partners: Mondo and Jaan Tonisson Institute.

2008 December

Grassroots comics workshop, Tallinn

Estonia

Comics workshop for NGO activists interested in international cooperation. Cooperation partners: Mondo and Jaan Tonisson Institute. Resource persons included Sharad Sharma from World Comics India.

2008 November

Grassroots comics workshop, Rovaniemi

Finland

Grassroots comics workshop for Sámi activists. The issues included were minority rights and Sámi identity. Cooperation partner: Rovaniemi Sámi Association. Resource persons included Sharad Sharma from World Comics India.

2008 November

Training comics tutors, Helsinki

Finland

Grassroots comics tutor workshop for NGO activists from development, church, environment and culture organisations. Resource persons included Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Cooperation partner and funding: Kepa.

2008 October

Comics tutor workshop in Guwahati, Assam

India

Participants: 20 tutor-trainees mainly from the North East States. About 40 local NGO-activists participated as a test-group. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Azevedo and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland and Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Government NGO funds and World Comics.

2008 October

Grassroots comics workshop, Växjö

Sweden

Comics workshops for immigrant school children (8 – 15 years). Cooperation partner: Växjö City Library Authority.

2008 February

One-day workshop for comics tutors, Namathanda

Mozambique

During an evaluation on the UFF-ADPP grassroots comics activities, Leif Packalen ran a workshop for tutors in Namathanda. The method of making local comics has spread very well in the organisation, more than 100 workshops have been arranged, 60 new comics trainers trained, and thousands of comics copied and distributed.

From 2007 January to 2008 December

Weekly comics course for refugee children, Espoo

Finland

Weekly comics course for refugee children, who seek asylum in Finland. Cooperation partner: Ingas reception center, Espoo City Authority.

2007 November

Comics tutor course for primary teacher trainees in the Faculty of Education, University of Oulu (Grassroot comics in global education)

Finland

Three-day course for primary teacher trainees who specialise in arts education. The course was organised as part of the university curriculum. Last day of the course was spent running workshops for pupils in Oulu Teacher Training School.

Cooperation partners: Maailmankoulu and Faculty of Education, University of Oulu

2007 October

Comics tutor workshop in Jamshedpur (Tatanagar) Jharkhand

India

Participants: 22 tutor-trainees from World Comics India's partner organisations from 13 states in India. An advanced group of 13 experienced WCI trainers worked on improving their own comics-making skills. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Anttila, Leif Packalen, Ville Tietavainen from World Comics Finland; Tarun Bose and Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Government NGO funds and World Comics.

2007 September

Training comics tutors, Helsinki

Finland

Grassroots comics tutor workshop for NGO activists from development, church, environment and culture organisations.

Cooperation partner and funding: Kepa.

2006 November

Grassroots comics workshop, Helsinki

Finland

International workshop on children’s rights and on hiv/aids. Participants: Children from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Finland. Cooperation partner: Plan Finland.

2006 October

Training workshop for Grassroots comics tutor in Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

The workshop was arranged with Tanzania Popular Media Organisation (TAPOMA) Participants: 15 TAPOMA members. Resource persons: Leif Packalen and Ms. Hanna Arvela. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics.

2006 October

Comics workshop for exchange students, Sipoo

Finland

Comics workshop for CIMO exchange students in Finland. Cooperation partner: CIMO Exchange Programme.

2006 August

Comics tutor workshop in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

India

Participants: 18 tutor-trainees from different organisations from eight states. Resource persons: Leif Packalen and Ms. Maippi Tapanainen, World Comics Finland and Sharad Sharma, World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics.

2005 November

Wallposter comics tutor workshop in Madkai, Goa

India

Participants: 17 tutor-trainees from different organisations from nine states in India. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, World Comics Finland and Sharad Sharma, World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics.

2005 September

Comics tutors workshop, Chimoio

Mozambique

Cooperation partners: UFF/Finland and ADPP Teachers' Training College. Participants: 27 teacher-trainees from ADPP and activists from their network. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Azevedo, Leif Packalen and Ms. Johanna Rojola from World Comics Finland and Lénio Ussivane, graphic artist, Maputo. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and UFF/Finland.

Four follow-up workshops to the above were arranged in Chimoio, Nacala, Namathanda and Maputo, where the newly trained tutors ran their own workshops with backup provided by four resource persons. Here, about 50 persons were trained in how to produce local wallposter comics.

July 2005

Comics training workshop for Palestinian community center activists, Barr Elias

Lebanon

Cooperation partners: Finnish Psychologists for Social Responsibility (FPSR) and the Palestinian organisation Beit atfal Assoumud (BAS) (in English: The National Institution of Social Care and Vocational Training). The idea of the workshop was to train 15 young community activists from different BAS centers in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, so that they could later run their own comics workshops in the camps.

Resource persons: Leif Packalen and Ms. Johanna Rojola (WCF) and Psychologist Ms. Kirsti Palonen and Ms. Jumana Kasim from FPSR. BAS coordination by Ms. Jamilé Shehadé and Ms. Faiza Kassem. Funding: Finnish Government NGO funds and FPSR.

Video: the workshop in July 2005. View

In 2006 we had planned to run a second workshop with BAS, but the war with Israel forced us to postpone the workshop to 2007. Again, in 2007, the attack on the Nahr-al-Bared Camp changed the humanitarian situation drastically there, and only very short workshop sessions could be run by Finnish Psychologist Ms. Kirsti Palonen. The manuscripts of the comics were sent via Internet to Finland and commented upon by Leif Packalen and Ms. Johanna Rojola.

2005 June-July

Wallposter comics workshop, Njombe

Tanzania

The 12-day workshop was arranged by the Finnish Tanzanian Friendship Society (FTFS) as a part of an ongoing hiv/aids campaigning support project with the Tanzanian Lutheran organisation, UKWATA. Resource persons: Ms. Hanna Arvela and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland and Sammi Mwamkinga from Tanzania Popular Media Organisation (TAPOMA). Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and FTFS.

May 2005

Comics workshop, Cotonou

Benin

Cooperation partners: African Movement for Working Children and Youth and Plan Finland. Participants: 20 movement activists, from eight African countries were instructed during seven days in how to produce wallposter comics. Leif Packalen and Sharad Sharma from World Comics were the main instructors. The workshop was sponsored by PLAN.

2004 December

Wallposter comics workshop in Aizawl, Mizoram

India

Participants, 21 rural activists from Mizoram Artists' Society's network. Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg and Ms. Katja Tukiainen from World Comics Finland and Sharad Sharma and Rosamliana Ralte from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Finnish Comic Artists' Society.

2004 December

Wallposter comics tutor workshop in Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Participants: 22 activists from the Tamil Nadu Young Cartoonists Association. Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg and Ms. Katja Tukiainen from World Comics Finland and Basheer Ahmed (TNYCA) and Sharad Sharma World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Finnish Comic Artists' Society.

2004 April

Training workshop for grassroots comics tutor, Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Cooperating NGOs: Tanzania Association of Non-governmental Organisations (TANGO) and Tanzania Popular Media Association (TAPOMA). Participants: 14 members from TAPOMA and TANGO. Resource persons: Tarmo Koivisto, Leif Packalen, Ville Tietäväinen, Katti Ka-Batembo and James Gayo. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics...

2003 December

Wallposter comics workshop in Aizawl, Mizoram

India

Participants: 24 rural activists from the Mizoram Artist Society’s network. Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland, and Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Finnish Comic Artists' Society.

2003 December

Wallposter comics workshop in Tatanagar, Jharkhand

India

Participants: 18 activists from Jharkhand Human Rights Organisation (JOHAR). Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg and Leif Packalen from World Comics Finland, Basheer Ahmed and Sharad Sharma from World Comics India. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Finnish Comic Artists' Society.

2003 May

Grassroots comics workshop, Mariehamn, Åland

Finland

Grassroots comics workshop with peace activists. Resource persons included Sharad Sharma from India and Katti Ka-Batembo from Tanzania. Cooperation partner: Ålands fredsförening (Åland Peace Society).

2003 April

Grassroots comics workshop, Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Cooperating NGO: Tanzania Association of Non-governmental Organisations (TANGO). Participants: Ten NGO activists from TANGO member organisations. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, Ville Tietäväinen, Katti Ka-Batembo and Nathan Mpangala. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics.

2003 April

Anti-corruption comics workshop, Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

Participants: 18 professional comic artists. Cooperation partner: Legal and Human Rights Center, DSM. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, Ville Tietäväinen, Katti Ka-Batembo and James Gayo. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds and World Comics.

2003 January

Grassroots comics workshop, Malmö

Sweden

Grassroots comics workshop for comics activists and NGOs involved in development work. Cooperation partner and funding: Swedish Comics Society.

2002 October

Comics concept workshop, Jakarta

Indonesia

Workshop for creating a comics concept for a campaign to promote inter-communal harmony between different ethnic groups in Indonesia. Cooperation partner: Common Ground Indonesia.

2002 September

Training of comics workshop resource persons in Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Participants: 25 prospective trainers from SAG/VCDS and JOHAR, Jharkhand, MAS from Mizoram and organisations from Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg, Leif Packalen, Ms. Katja Tukiainen, Basheer Ahmed and Sharad Sharma. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Community, Helsinki, Finnish Comic Artists' Society, and the Finnish Indian Friendship Society.

Video: the workshop in December 2002. View

2001 – 2002

Comics course for immigrants, Helsinki

Finland

Grassroots comics course dealing with anti-racism. Participants: Somali youths. Cooperation partner: Nuoriso Kanava ry (Youth Channel) – a youth organisation for immigrants. Funding: Ministry for Education, Finland.

2001 December

Comics workshop, Maputo

Mozambique

Cooperation partner: the informal group "World Comics-Mozambique” and Kepa, Maputo. Participants 17 artists/cartoonists and three NGO activists. Resource persons: Frank Odoi (Ghana), Leif Packalen and Ms. Johanna Rojola. Funding: Embassy of Finland, local funds for NGO Projects.

2001 October

Training of comics workshop resource persons in Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Participants: 14 prospective trainers from SAG/VCDS and JOHAR, Bihar. Resource persons: Matti Hagelberg, Leif Packalen, Katja Tukiainen, Basheer Ahmed and Sharad Sharma. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Otto A. Malms Donationsfond.

2001 July

Grassroots comics workshop, Viljandi

Estonia

Comics workshop for Fenno-Ugrian cultural activists at the ETNOFUTU Conference.

2001 January

Grassroots comics workshop, Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Comics workshop for 15 youth participants at the International World Volunteering Conference.

2000 September

Comics workshop in Karasanoor in Tamil Nadu

India

Participants 39 social activists from VCDS/SAG. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, Ms. Katja Tukiainen, Basheer Ahmed and Marimutthu. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and LIKE Publishing Company.

2000 February - July

Comics group for asylum seekers, Helsinki

Finland

Comics group for refugees and asylum seekers. Cooperation partner Kyläsaari Reception Center and the Finnish Comics Society.

2000 March - May

Comics group for immigrant children, Helsinki

Finland

Comics group for immigrant children at a community club. Cooperation partner: Helsinki City Social Services, North East District.

2000 January

Anti-corruption comics workshop, Casablanca

Morocco

Anti-corruption comics workshop for university students. Cooperation partners: Art group at Hassan II University, Transparency International, and Casablanca City Authority.

1999 November

Comics workshop, Maputo

Mozambique

Participants: 16 cartoonists and NGO-activists. Resource persons: Petri Hiltunen, Leif Packalen and Ms. Johanna Rojola. The workshop was part of the Finnish-Mozambican Culture Week. Funding: Embassy of Finland, local funds for cultural projects.

1999 October

Comics workshop in Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Participants: 32 social activists from VCDS/SAG. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, Ms. Katja Tukiainen, Basheer Ahmed and Marimutthu. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and LIKE Publishing Company, Finland.

1998 November

Comics workshop, Maputo

Mozambique

Cooperation partner: the Finnish-Mozambique Friendship Society (FMFS). Participants: 19 cartoonists, artists, illustrators. Resource persons: Frank Odoi (Ghana) and Leif Packalen. Funding: FMFS and Finnish Govt NGO funds.

1998 October

Comics workshop, Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Participants: 28 social activists from VCDS/SAG. Resource persons: Leif Packalen, Jussi "Juba" Tuomola, Basheer Ahmed. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and LIKE Publishing Company, Finland.

1998 September

Comics workshop for NGOs, Stockholm

Sweden

Comics workshop for activists of development NGOs. Cooperation partner: Forum Syd (a Swedish NGO umbrella organisation).

1997 October

Comics workshop, Karasanoor, Tamil Nadu

India

Our first comics workshop, 6 days, with VCDS/SAG (Village Community Development Society/Social Action Group) in Karasanoor near Tindivanam. Participants: 20 social activists. Resource persons: Tarmo Koivisto, Leif Packalen and Basheer Ahmed. Funding: Finnish Govt NGO funds, World Comics Finland and Wartsila Diesel of Finland.