GDF Officer excels in UN Pre-Deployment Course in India

The High Commissioner of India in Guyana Dr. K.J. Srinivasa has congratulated Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major Sven Douglas on successfully completing the United Nations Pre-Deployment Training (UNPDT)- Training of the Trainers for United Nations Deployment Course held in India.

Major Douglas graduated with the highest examination score and was awarded the prize for Best Foreign Officer.

The Course was held in New Delhi at the Center for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India over a three-week period, from March 14 to April 1, 2022.

Major Douglas was among 19 officers from various countries undergoing training on the programme. He is the Officer Commanding of the Colonel Ulric Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS); Standard Officer Course 54.

The Training of the Trainers for United Nations Deployment Course was designed to enable Officers to function effectively within the United Nations’ environment and train fellow peacekeepers.

Upon successful completion, officers are competent to serve as Commanders as part of their military contingents, prepare contingents for the conduct of negotiations in an area of conflict, carry out observation duties, manage check-points, and organise convoy protection and escort duties.

The curriculum saw participants being exposed to an array of core focus areas such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations- history, evolution and types, legal aspects, mandate and mission and mission analysis, organisation and role– Functioning of Joint Operations Centre and Joint Mission Analysis Centre.

The participants also engaged in thematic subjects such as Child Protection, Protection of Civilians, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Conflicted Related Sexual Violence, Civilian-Military Coordination and Quick Impact Projects amongst others.

The Government of India is very happy to have facilitated this training to a friendly partner country like Guyana with full funding.

This is part of an ever increasing partnership with Guyana, especially in the capacity building of GDF with over 19 training slots allotted to Guyana since 2021 (eight officers have finished training in India already in various courses; two officers are leaving tomorrow for India while nine more are due to go later this year).

The Government of India has further added 10 additional slots for the GDF in addition to the above in 2022. This makes the current programme of cooperation with GDF the largest ever so far between the two countries.

India continues to engage with various Governmental institutions in Guyana for skills upgradation and technical expertise enhancement, under its South-South Cooperation model. (Modified Press Release from the Indian High Commission)