Forty-two learners completed the professional courses of the University of the Philippines-Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders Philippines. The commencement exercises were held Nov. 28.
“You are active agents of change — positive change capable of transforming our communities and our world for the better,” UP CIFAL Philippines Director Michelle Palumbarit said as she congratulated the learners.
This year’s courses on water governance and global migration had 21 students each. They consisted of leaders and advocates from various government agencies, international organizations, the academe, civil society, and the private sector.
The professional course on water governance brought 43 experts to address issues surrounding water sustainability and its relations to integrated water resource use, along with education on water supply, sanitation, and hygiene promotion. There were 17 learning sessions across 14 weeks.
Maria Socorro Ester Paluga, general manager of the Valencia City Water District in Bukidnon, delivered her class’s address.
Meanwhile, the professional course on global migration brought more than 40 experts to offer comprehensive and pragmatic approaches to addressing challenges in migration governance in 22 learning sessions across 15 weeks.
Consul Monika Kamille Limpo of the Philippine Embassy in Spain and teacher Safia Hussein Sheikh of the Sheikh Khalid Group of Schools spoke on behalf of their class.
Ebru Canan-Sokullu, deputy director of the UN Institute for Training and Research’s Division for People and Social Inclusion, delivered the keynote address for the commencement exercises.
UP President Angelo Jimenez, in his message, urged the graduates to “translate what they have learned into concrete action” by driving meaningful change in their own communities. “Start where you are… Engage your neighbors. Invite participation. Encourage even the quiet observers to take on starring roles. Change is only a word until someone steps in and gives it meaning.”
View scenes from the event below:
