Peace Support Training Center Holds Workshop to Mobilize Finance

Addis Ababa  May 02/2018 The Ethiopian Peace Support Training Center (PSTC) held a workshop that aims to mobilize finance to the center today. In his opening remark, PSTC Head Brigadier General Habtamu Tilahun said the workshop is instrumental in achieving the center’s vision in training programs that enable the country and others to deploy skilled personnel to peacekeeping operations. “We have designed a new strategy and this strategy will take us to the next stage of our development to become a center of choice for international students and stakeholders,” he added. Brigadier General Habtamu said the center is committed to the implementation of the strategy. Participants at the workshop raised the need for sharing experiences with other similar institutions that are equipped and organized in order to enhance the center's quality and standard to a higher level. Defense Attaché of Brazil to Ethiopia, Colonel Claudio Pellegrini said his country and the center had been cooperating since last year. According to him, “the center is doing well this year and the cooperation is important to us not only to help but also learn a lot from Ethiopia.” Defense Attaché of Uganda to Ethiopia, Brigadier General Sam Kiwanuka said both Ethiopia and his country are contributing peacekeeping forces to AU missions, including AMISOM. “I was impressed by the organization Ethiopia set here. We normally bring our students and officers here, and I am looking forward to supporting the center,” he stated. The center has trained over 1,500 personnel deployed to peacekeeping missions since its establishment in 2015. Of the total trainees, 11 percent were female. The PSTC gives thematic, pre-deployment and mission specific courses in accordance with United Nations and African Union standards. Protection of civilians, gender, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention are among the courses given by the center. The Ethiopian Peace Support Training Center was established with the objective of conducting research, delivering training and education to military, police and civilian personnel to enhance regional peace and security. Currently, over 13,000 peacekeepers are deployed in Somalia, Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan.