THE DIRECTOR OF FINNISH DEFENCE FORCES INTERNATIONAL CENTRE (FINCENT) VISITS THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE SUPPORT TRAINING CENTER

IPSTC was honoured to host the FINCENT Director Lieutenant Colonel Von Bonscdorff together with his delegation. The meeting which was chaired by Col G G Marrow Commandant PCSS, aimed at chartering possible partnerships between the two centers with a specific interest in capacity building.

During the discussion, it was ascertained that both institutions share similarities in the conduct of training courses for peace support operations. Thus the need for collaborative endeavors to exploit best practices and issues of mutual benefit.

FINCENT was founded in 1969 and is part of the National Defence University, Finland. The institution organizes and conducts training for personnel in the United Nations, European Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Africa Union. Currently, the African Integrated Peace Operation Course(AIPC) is being conducted by FINCENT's Mobile Education Team here in Nairobi.

The meeting was concluded with a photo session and a tour of the institution.

INTEGRATED DISARMAMENT DEMOBILIZATION REINTEGRATION TRAINING GROUP ANNUAL MEETING

On behalf of the Director Brig. J C Sitienei, Lt Col Molle, and Ms. Margaret Cheptile are representing IPSTC in the Integrated Disarmament Demobilization Reintegration Training Group(IDDRTG) Annual Meeting which will run through 2-5 November 2021 at KAIPTC, Accra Ghana.

In this meeting, IPSTC is applying to be an official member of the IDDRTG. IDDRTG is composed of international organizations and training institutes with a common goal of developing and sharing training materials on issues relating to DDR. It develops training for DDR practitioners from international and regional organizations- military, police, NGOs, civil society, and the research community.

The official members of IDDRTG include BICC, FBA, CCCPA, KAIPTC, EMP, and UNITAR among others. The strategic members constitute of UN, AU, and EU.

C-IED EQUIPMENT HANDOVER CEREMONY

The UK Government officially handed over C-IED Equipment to the Humanitarian Peace Support School. The ceremony was graced by James Heappey UK Minister for Armed Forces, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Jane Marriot UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Major General Matiri GOC, Brigadier Ronnie UK Advisor to Kenya, Colonel Alex Wilson BPST(A) Commander, and Brigadier Joyce Sitienei Director IPSTC. 

In his speech, James Heappey, UK Minister for Armed forces assured the various stakeholders of continued partnership. He reiterated the importance of CIED Training to the military. He emphasized the issue of CIED Training as a confidence booster to the troops as it emboldens their effectiveness in the delivery of service. 

The Cabinet Secretary appreciated the UK Government's support in institutional development and capacity building over the years. Through the Defence Cooperation Agreement, the collaboration between the two states is strengthened.

The CIED Training is conducted in line with three pillars; Preparing the force, Defeating the device, and Attacking the network.

The director highlighted possible areas for collaboration with the UK Government which include; trainers from diverse nationalities on a permanent basis and maintenance of the equipment.