Gang violence, migration patterns among focus for National Defence Institute

The National Defence Institute, established to enhance national defense through training and education, will conduct quarterly reviews on regional issues such as migration patterns and gang violence.

The institute will also evaluate natural disasters and address key regional issues, including elections and democracy.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali made this announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the National Defence Institute.

This initiative aligns with President Ali’s vision of strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and demonstrates the government’s commitment to equipping Joint Services with the skills necessary to tackle contemporary challenges.

The National Defence Institute is expected to become a significant player in both global and regional affairs, providing training to officers across the Caribbean.

“The institute is not just another training institute; it is a crucial part of building capacity and expertise within national defense architecture,” President Ali stated at the launch, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal.

“The curriculum of this institute will reflect the diverse and evolving nature of security threats. It will offer programs that are multidisciplinary in nature and will include studies in areas of national development,” President Ali added.

Former presidents and diplomats are anticipated to contribute to the institute, which will offer training in various disciplines, including strategic and intelligence studies, foreign policy analysis, civilian-military relations, cybercrime, and political sociology.

President Ali emphasized that the institute’s purpose extends beyond addressing Guyana’s border threats and sovereignty issues, stating that it will be “critically linked to the Regional Security Service (RSS).”

“It will not only be an academic research institution but will also be a real-life institution producing action plans for threats and challenges facing the region. The dynamism of this institute will be interesting and evolving. Defence is everyone’s responsibility,” President Ali remarked.

Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), highlighted the institute’s role in bridging the gap between security and development.

“Such an institute nurtures the intellectual and operational capabilities of all our national resources, serving as a beacon for strategic thought and action to support national development. The Defence Institute, therefore, is an integral component of the ecosystem of national development. The establishment of one is a significant step in building out our ecosystem for national development,” Brigadier Khan said.

Dr. Randolph Persaud has been appointed Director of the National Defence Institute. According to Persaud, the institute will serve as a reliable source of expert knowledge, available to the leadership of Guyana and the Caribbean. It will also engage the public to foster a stronger understanding of national security between the government and its citizens.