The Ecclesiastical Commission of Antigua and Barbuda and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus signed a Memorandum of Understanding today Thursday, launching the Caribbean Theology, Ministry, and Public Life Lifelong Learning Series through UWI’s Lifelong Learning Unit.

The series will offer clergy, lay leaders, and church members a set of accessible, Caribbean-focused courses spanning theology, biblical studies, pastoral care, and public leadership.

The first course will be a 10-week programme in governmental and public protocol, taught by educator Kurt Williams and will prepare church leaders to represent Antigua and Barbuda at official state functions, including this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The ceremony was attended by UWI Five Islands Campus Principal Professor Justin Robinson, Ecclesiastical Commission Chairman Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Elizée, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Rosa Greenaway, along with clergy and representatives from both institutions.

“Later this year, Antigua and Barbuda will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. This will bring global attention to our shores and will involve our state, our institutions, and inevitably our churches,” said Dr. Elizée. “If we are to represent our nation and our faith well in that setting, we need to understand the language of protocol, precedence, forms of address, national symbols, dress and decorum, hosting and hospitality.”

“A nation is built not by infrastructure alone, but by the character, the values, and the capacity of its people,” said Permanent Secretary Greenaway “This is precisely the kind of nation-building investment that the ministry and the government supports.”

The Ministry continues to work alongside Antigua and Barbuda’s faith communities as partners in the country’s social development.