First training for women in border security held at OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe
Giorgiana Dumitru, Border Professional from Romania, presents the results of group work conducted at the Leadership and Management session, 13 September 2013 (OSCE BMSC/Ilona Kazaryan)
DUSHANBE, 14 September 2013 –The first ever training course for women leaders concluded at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe today.
The goal of the six-day course was to promote and support women’s participation and leadership in border security and management. It brought together a group of 20 mid-and senior level female officers from 13 countries: Belarus, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the United States.
Participants focused on policymaking in border agencies; border security and management systems; border controls and border crossing points; cross-border trade facilitation, as well as issues of anti-corruption, human rights, leadership and management techniques. The discussions were not limited not only to politico-military dimension, but also encompassed economic and environmental and human aspects.
As part of the course, senior female diplomats accredited in Tajikistan shared their views with participants on what makes a successful and efficient female leader, with a special focus on border security and management.
"This is the very first initiative of this kind, and we are thrilled to host these young, talented and dynamic women leaders at the OSCE Border Management Staff College ,” said Hans Peter Larsen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, during the graduation ceremony. “Effective border control is ensured by successful leaders, and this is why empowerment and professional development of women leaders in border security and management is at the forefront of our activities."
Jonathan Trumble, Customs Adviser of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, who was a senior instructor of the course said: “This joint initiative is an opportunity for participants to discuss their profession in a forum of women with similar duties and responsibilities – an opportunity that was highly appreciated by the participants.