The United Nations (UN) Certified Instructor Development Course concluded today with 24 participants from the UN Asia Pacific member Countries graduating as certified UN trainers.
This includes three Police Officers from Samoa.
This is outlined in a press statement released by the Fijian Police. The Course, which began on the 28th of June, 2023, was supported by the US Embassy Suva and (UN) Department of Peace Operations, Police Division and Integrated Training Services with the intent of forming a pool of certified UN Certified trainers to assist in the delivery of UN peacekeeping training in the Asia-Pacific region.
The participants were law enforcement officers from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Australia and Fiji.
The United States Embassy Regional Security Officer, Special Agent Samuel McRae while closing the course, said the knowledge they have gained would be crucial when preparing officers to serve in conflict areas around the world.
“Be Honest in making decisions. The role you play is crucial, and if you feel that your participants aren’t ready to be deployed, please do the right thing and don’t compromise the training you have undertaken. Most mission areas are not usually what you think, and sending the right people over is the first important step,” said Mr McRae.
Course Director Mr Amod Gurung said the course period has been enjoyable despite the busy learning schedule.
“We started our days at 08.00 am daily and, on most occasions, would finish just around dinner time. Even on weekends, we would continue to discuss and share ideas on what we went through during the week,” said Mr Amod.
Despite that, everyone enjoyed the course and their stay in Fiji.
“We are humbled by the hospitality of the Fiji Police Force in hosting this course and I would like to thank them for the smooth coordination of this event.”
He thanked the Fiji Government for the assistance rendered during the duration of the course and wished all graduates well as they prepared to head back to their respective countries.
The Fiji Police is honoured to have been given the opportunity to host this critical UN course, the 4th to be convened, in our endeavour for Fiji to be the regional hub for the delivery of UN peacekeeping training.
