Picture this: a lively mix of creative minds, dynamic engagements, and knowledge-sharing, converging at CASCADE’s first Learning Lab. On the 9th of May, the Pamuzinda Safari Lodge venue became a space for collaboration and creativity. Being based at a Safari Lodge made the experience even more special. It was a warm, tranquil day with the rays of the sun peeking through the trees, lighting up the venue with all the light we required. Then, with a semi-open setting with sufficient room to maneuver around and breathe in the fresh air, the scene was set for the day.
The room began to fill with enthusiasm and curiosity. The CASCADE team welcomed a diverse group of participants, including individuals from different city departments, fellows from Harare and afar, and many others. Everyone came ready to dive into the day of learning and discovery. The day kicked off with an introduction to CASCADE urging us to step out of our comfort zones and think outside of the box. The learning lab was not completely shy of PowerPoint presentations but the impact of fewer PowerPoint presentations and more team engagement certainly encouraged high spirits.
One of the key elements to ensuring a successful learning lab was the interaction among participants. The image you should have is one where participants are grouped together, discussing burning climate-health issues in the city, writing thoughts onto sticky notes, and mapping out various issues together. Whether it was delving deep into complex and cascading risks or pointing out health impacts, the space was abuzz with important insight and thought-provoking discussions flying around the room.
Everyone knew that the day would be long, however, the energy did not wane. This was thanks to the fun and interactive energizers, enthusiastic facilitation, and the semi-outdoor venue. Of course, a few tensions were expected to arise, which they did, but they were constructive and didn’t cause a fuss. I am sure that many new connections were forged and the hope is that connections between fellows and city actors were forged for long-lasting engagements. A number of the CASCADE team members also used this as an opportunity to catch up and reflect on the design of the learning lab. This was a good reminder that the best academic work stems from involving non-academic actors who share the same drive and enthusiasm!
Personally, a highlight was the emphasis placed on reflection and discussion for every session where we were allowed to absorb information, ask questions, and discuss key points. Towards the end of the day, reflections moved to the outside space which I believed to be a mental pitstop. This gave us a chance to catch our breaths, collect our thoughts, exchange perspectives, and reflect with newfound clarity.
This was the first learning lab for Harare and for CASCADE in general and the connections and insights have sparked ideas and a way forward for the Harare-based fellows. Reflection and feedback sessions, along with preparing an extensive learning lab report kept the momentum alive afterward. Many of us left feeling inspired and motivated and we look forward to where this journey takes us!