Three Tongans were among the 30 plus Pacific Island environmental practitioners and government officials, from 14 countries, to receive a post graduate certificate in Ridge to Reef Sustainable Development from James Cook University, on 1 August, in Nadi, Fiji.

The innovative post-graduate training program in Integrated Water and Coastal Management aims to boost local capacity and establish a team of island-based project managers and technicians.

The three graduates from Tonga include:

Dr Fononga Vainga Mangisi-Mafileo, Communications and Knowledge Management Adviser, Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division with Pacific Community (SPC);
Silia Leger, International Waters R2R National Project Coordinator, Tonga’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; and
Gardinia Funganitao, Assistant Geologist, Tonga’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The program is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), partnering with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Pacific Community (SPC), national governments, and development partners, to implement the project.

Resident Representative of the UNDP Mr Levan Bouadze, said the UNDP's "enduring commitment is to improve resilience of the Pacific Island nations, help them protect their rich biodiversity and secure their ecosystems”.

SPC Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Deputy Director Rhonda Robinson explained local capacity is relied on for best practices in integrated management.

"This is constrained by the scarcity and limited sharing of specialist expertise and technical resources for integrated resource management in the region, which is why this is a significant milestone achievement not just for the programme, but for sustainable development of participating countries, the region and globally.”

James Cook University Deputy Vice Chancellor Tropical Environments and Societies Professor Marcus Lane said they are very proud to partner with SPC on this very important initiative.

“The custom designed course was developed specifically for the R2R programme and practitioners to improve governance and enable positive contribution to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges and leading international debates through its application to the implementation of national projects.”

Graduates have recognised how the course has increased their knowledge of managing projects in the environmental area.

Cook Islands National R2R Project Coordinator, Maria Tuoro, explained that she does not have an environmental background and the course has improved her capacity to manage this project by providing a suite of units tailored for practitioners.

Palau IW R2R Project Manager Leena Mesebeluu was delighted to complete the course and explained that it is already helping her with her work in Palau.

“I am very proud that after the project management course we were able to develop a partnership proposal and pitch it to the bureau of tourism and we are now going to prepare best practice guidelines for terrestrial tourism for the bureau’s implementation,” she said.

The course covered Ecosystem Dynamics, Project Management, R2R tools, and Environmental Governance.

The official graduation ceremony will take place in Townsville, Australia in April 2020.

Graduates started the post graduate diploma on 2 August.