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| National |
| UK’s Royal Defence College team visits Malawi |
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by
Bright Sonani, 11 October 2006
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06:01:56
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A 13-member delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is in the country for a five-day official visit as part of the ongoing bilateral relationship between the UK and Malawi.
The British High Commission spokesperson in Lilongwe Wendy Freeman said the delegation, which arrived in the country on Sunday, includes members of the UK Army and military personnel from countries like Kazakhstan, the USA, Argentina, Brunei, Hungary and Indonesia. They will be in the country up to October 12.
Freeman said the delegation is touring South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Malawi and while in the country, will hold meetings with Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of civil society organisations.
“The delegation will also take field visits to Dedza, Ntchisi and Mchinji to look at areas of development that the UK Department for International Development (DfID) supports. This includes micro-finance, education and primary justice,” she said.
The RCDS, which was formerly known as the Imperial Defence College and founded in 1927, is an internationally renowned institution and component of the UK’s National Defence Academy.
“The aim of the RCDS overseas tours is to examine the current position and future prospects for the preservation and enhancement of the stability, security and prosperity of the regions and countries visited,” said Freeman.
She said RCDS was established to prepare senior UK officers and officials as well as those of other countries, and future leaders from the private and public sectors, for high responsibility in their respective professions by developing their analytical skills, knowledge of defence and international security and strategic vision.
According to her, the college offers one course a year to a maximum of 88 people, one-third from the UK and two-thirds from overseas.
Three quarters of these are military officers of colonel/brigadier or equivalent rank while the rest are civil servants, diplomats, police officers and representatives from the private sector.
“Candidates are selected to attend the course on the strength of their potential to progress within their profession. Their average age is 46,” she said.
Freeman said next year Malawi will be represented at the courses by Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya, who is Director of Military Intelligence in the Malawi Defence Force.
Ngwenya becomes the third Malawian to attend the courses after Major General Robbie Liabunya who attended in 1987 and Major General D.A.N Maulana in 1992. |
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