GPF, GDF ranks participating in UG’s specialized training on migration, diaspora studies
GPF and GDF personnel following the training programme
To bolster national security and development capabilities, 15 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are undergoing specialized training in Migration and Diaspora Studies organized by the University of Guyana(UG).
This critical initiative is aimed at equipping the officers and ranks with a deeper understanding of global migration patterns, and the role of the diaspora in shaping national development.
The training, being held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre on Camp Road in Georgetown, is being led by Dr. Coreen Jacobs, Director of the UG International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies.
With a focus on enhancing the operational capacities of security forces, this course provides participants with insights into the challenges posed by migration, and the strategies necessary for effective diaspora engagement. As migration continues to influence Guyana’s socioeconomic landscape, understanding its impact has become a key priority for national security.
Officers and ranks undergoing this training would be better positioned to address issues ranging from border security to human trafficking, and also to foster positive diaspora relations, which are crucial for Guyana’s development.
This initiative comes at a time when migration has taken centre stage in the Caribbean, with large movements of people influencing regional dynamics. Guyana, with its growing oil economy, is attracting attention from its diaspora, making this course particularly relevant in preparing the ranks to manage and leverage these trends effectively.
The officers who complete the course would receive academic accreditation that enables them to further contribute to migration policies and security frameworks with a strong research-based foundation.
This initiative also ties into broader efforts by the Government and related agencies to address the challenges posed by migration. In September 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its commitment to collaborating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international bodies to enhance policies related to diaspora engagement, border control, and reintegration of returning nationals.
