Thirty-one women from sixteen Pacific Island countries graduated from the class of 2011 on Thursday, October 13. The Community Education Training Centre’s 48th Graduation Ceremony was held at the CETC campus in Narere. 

The certificates were presented upon completion of the seven-month training programme, Applied Community Development and Management Studies, offered at two qualification levels (Certificate Level II and III). 

The chief guest, French Ambassador Giles Montagnier, applauded CETC for continuing to revise and adapt its programmes to meet the emerging needs of Pacific women from grassroots communities.

 He congratulated the graduates on their achievements and hard work that had opened up new opportunities to advance and sustain the livelihoods of communities and villages in their home countries. 

‘Many of these women have not had the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills for various reasons following their secondary schooling and have gone straight into volunteer work or work with agencies serving the community development sector.  

Today marks the start of a new chapter in their life — an important journey into the world of community development and I wish to encourage you to do your best in your communities with your upgraded skills from CETC,’ Mr Montagnier said. 

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation on behalf of all the SPC member countries and territories for the excellent hands-on training programme offered by CETC over the last 48 years, and said that CETC’s response to the emerging training needs in the areas of leadership and governance, as well as business enterprise, ensured that women at senior management and supervisory levels made the Centre an option for furthering their professional development.

  ‘CETC has provided the women with a platform to be refreshed in their approaches to community development and learn new skills vital for their development efforts in their homes and communities,’ he added. Students entertained the guests with cultural dances and songs from the countries they represent. The certificates were then formally presented and this was followed by a farewell lunch. 

The graduates thanked CETC and their donors for the seven-month training programme and for providing them with a platform for upgrading their skills. The CETC programme is unique in that it offers hands-on learning experiences and an integrated approach to community development using a performance competency approach. 

 Instructors are experts in the range of courses offered and they ensure that students achieve competencies that will enable them to be effective contributors to national and community development when they return to their countries.