Record number of Commonwealth Youth Diploma graduates for Asia

One hundred and fifty students of the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development Work graduated from Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu, India, last month – a record for the Asia region.

The Diploma, which is offered by 29 partner institutions in 45 countries, was set up by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). It is designed to provide youth workers with a theoretical knowledge on which to base their work with young people; an understanding of the values and ethics of the profession, grounded in the values and principles of the Commonwealth; and the practical skills to undertake the work.

Annamalai University, situated on the outskirts of Chidambaram, is one of eight institutions in Asia implementing the CYP Diploma.

At the graduation ceremony on 4 August 2008, the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor M Ramanathan congratulated the successful students, describing the CYP Diploma as “known for its eminence and excellence”.

He lauded the values and principles of the Commonwealth and thanked the CYP Asia Centre for showing confidence in his university and giving them the opportunity to deliver the course.

In his speech, Raj Mishra, Regional Director of the CYP Asia Centre, stated that the number of successful candidates was a record for the Asia region. This had been possible through the dedication of the tutors and the students, he added. Mr Mishra said the primary objective of the CYP diploma course was to create a core of dedicated youth professionals who could not only work for the empowerment of young people but in the sphere of development as well.

Commenting on his studies, D K Srinivas, one of the graduates, said: “The diploma has put an additional responsibility on me to serve the nation and the international community.” He added that it had also made him realise the difference between “a social worker and a youth worker”. Sister Nirmala, Vice-Principal of the University’s Nursing College, said she had decided to do the course to improve her skills in dealing with young people. Sathya, another student, said the course had instilled in her a “new sense of self-confidence” and taught her a “new approach to life”. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words, “Be the change that you want to be”, she hoped that she would be able to bring about positive changes in her own life and in the community in which she lives.