Training

CETA supports the development and implementation of training programmes at national and regional levels.

Coordination

CETA provides training and capacity building to countries in the Wider Caribbean to enable them to meet their obligations under the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols.

This includes to:

  • Assist in mobilizing financial resources to conduct national and regional capacity building for communities, managers and decision-makers
     
  • Implement the Bali Strategic Plan (BSP) for Technology Support and Capacity-building, formally adopted at the 23rd session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum held in Nairobi, 21-25 February 2005, decision 23/1. 

Training of Trainers in Marine Protected Area Management

One of the most important reasons for the management problems in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Caribbean has been the lack of qualified personnel and financial resources. To address this issue, we launched and supported a “Training of Trainers” Programme for MPA managers (TOT). Managers are trained in all aspects of MPA management and also on adult education techniques to conduct local and tailored training activities in their respective MPAs.

Since 1999, five "Training of Trainers" events were organized in different parts of the Caribbean with a total attendance of 61 persons from 28 countries, most of them closely related with MPA management. Specific training materials were developed for these events, particularly an 8 module Course Manual that was adjusted and updated along the process and is available in English and Spanish. Course reports are also available: 

Training of Trainers

In 2006, we undertook an evaluation of the process to assess its performance, impact, potential for replication, M&E system and training materials. This evaluation was implemented between February and May 2007. The overall assessment of the TOT Programme on Marine Protected Areas Management is very positive.  

The TOT Trainees performed exceedingly well in transferring their acquired skills to other people through different forms of training events.

  • 90% of the participants who provided information for the evaluation had organized training events.
  • Almost 1,000 people (978 to be precise) were trained by them (alone or jointly with other trainers) in 44 events held in 15 different countries (Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Colombia, Cuba, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, México, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela).

Since the evaluation was performed a sixth course for Spanish-speaking countries, was held on 9-22 September 2007 in Tulúm, Mexico, and was attended by 14 MPA managers and practitioners from Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, México, Panama, Nicaragua, and Venezuela and additional local courses are underway in these countries.

English, Spanish and French comprise 8 modules on Caribbean MPA planning, stakeholder participation, management, research, monitoring and regional policy, along with communication and teaching skills. For more information, you can access the program's 2007 independent assessment, and the reports of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 regional courses.

The training of trainers courses meet each year within the region alternating between English and Spanish speaking locations. The courses are taught in the language of the host country. Individuals selected for the course are required to develop follow-up activities within their home countries.

We have provided funding for these courses with the assistance of several partners including the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) and the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation. 

CEP was established in 1981 as part of the Regional Seas Programme in recognition of the importance and value of the Wider Caribbean Region’s fragile and vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems including endemic plants and animals.

© United Nations Environment Programme