College of the Extended University to Provide Training to International Agricultural Cooperative Leaders

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Twenty agricultural cooperative leaders from Central America will participate in an intensive six-month management and export development training program at the College of the Extended University (CEU) from Jan. 6 through June 14.

Sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, the program will be administered by Georgetown University's Center for Intercultural Education and Development, Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) Program. Founded in 1985, the CASS Program offers technical education, job training and leadership skills development to young adults and leaders from communities in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

CEU was selected by CASS to provide training for representatives from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The goal of the program is to build administration and market development capacity for agricultural cooperatives in each of these countries.

Working in conjunction with various colleges, CEU will offer training in a variety of areas including accounting and finance, management, total quality control including appropriate ISO, principles of marketing, international marketing, U.S. food and labeling laws and regulations, and bio-terrorism standards. All training will be conducted in Spanish with the aid of translators where necessary.  

Key components of the program include workshops (in-class style) and “hands-on” activities such as team projects, field site trips, short-term internships and community service projects. Living at the University Village, visiting tourist attractions, and forming friendships with local residents will enhance the participants cultural experience in Southern California.

Faculty and staff interested in becoming friendship partners or helping with this training program are asked to contact Sarah Moussavi, CASS Program Administrator, at (909) 869-3798.