Malawi hosting regional security course: UK calls for ‘maximum professionalism’
As security challenges step up and become progressively more ambiguous and complicated there is constant need for security personnel in the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) region to strive towards professionalism in their noble undertaking.
The call was made by the Charge D’Affaires at the British High Commission in Malawi, Kirk Hollingworth when he opened a two-week course on Managing Defence in Wider Security Context at the Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) in Salima.
The workshop comes at a time when there are growing concerns nationwide about security lapse which has seen tens of people being gruesomely murdered on a daily basis.
The Charge D’Affaires observed that the exercising of professional judgment has never been so tested within the security sector as it is being tested today.
“Professionalism – this is an area that we all have to strive at as the security challenges we face around the region multiply and become increasingly ambiguous and complex,” said Hollingworth at the workshop, also witnessed by the Commander of the Malawi Defense Force, General Odillo and Commandant MAFCO, Brigadier General Chimowa .
The British diplomat also noted that security in the region was ever quickly revolutionizing in today’s complex world such that there was need for constant need of analysis.
“I’m quite certain that when you return to your respective places of work, whether that be within a civilian, police or military environment, you will be able to draw on many of the topic areas, to enhance your professional effectiveness,” he said.
Commenting on the issues of governance and strategic leadership, Hollingworth said the two remain absolute areas of interest and security agents are constantly being challenge on how best to organize the architecture to deliver security.
He said: “The importance of the strategic leadership can never be underestimated and it underpins the delivery and realization of successful outcomes. Successful management optimizes organization of resources for the delivery of successful security outcomes.”
Hollingworth then urged the solders to develop a better awareness of governance and management issues, and techniques, in order to deliver more effective armed forces within a wider security context.
He hoped that upon completion of the course, participants would be enlightened in the face of the many facets that make up collective understanding of security, and that they would be able to analyze the regional security sector and defense issues.
“Some of the tools that will be used on this course should certainly enhance performance in your careers,” said Hollingworth.
Malawi Defence Force Commander, General Henry Odillo, commended the British Government for organizing the course.
“We thank the British Government for organizing this course,” said Odillo.
This internationally acclaimed Managing Defence in Wider Security Context course has been running for the better part of 10 years now and the British Government has been the major partner.
The course is delivered in only eight countries around the world each year and is based out of the United Kingdom’s Defense Academy while drawing on the strength and experience of the renowned Cranfield University, as one of its principal academic partners.
Since it started it has created a large network of Managing Defence in Wider Security Context (MDWSC) Alumni regionally.
The course, which drew a diversity of security officers from Botswana, Namibian, Zambian, Mozambican Malawi Defense Forces and the host Malawi, was based on five themes which included Security; Governance; Strategic leadership; Management and Professionalism.
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