By Andy Anderson
Defence
has adopted on-line technology to improve delivery of pre-deployment
training for personnel on UN and other peace operations.
The e-learning package was launched during a recent International
Peace Operations Seminar in Canberra. It covers all aspects of
basic training for UN peacekeepers, such as:
- Background
on the UN (system, structure and legal framework);
- The
UN Peacekeeper (stress management, attitudes and behaviours,
cultural awareness, child protection and land mines);
- UN
issues (human rights for peacekeepers, humanitarian aid, communication
and negotiation) and;
- UN
support (personnel, logistics and medical).
In
a move to standardise pre deployment training for peace operations,
member states collaborated to produce the UN Generic Training
Modules. The ADF Peacekeeping Centre at Williamtown was involved
from the initial stages.
Australia is the first UN member state to use the modules in e-learning.
The modules are available as part of pre-deployment training for
all Defence members preparing for both UN and other peace operations.
“Australia has played a fundamental role in contributing
to the development of the UN generic training modules,” Commandant
Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre, Brigadier David McKaskill
said.
“This is part of our commitment to thoroughly preparing our
personnel, so they can make the best possible contribution to
peace and stabilisation operations.”
In the future, other government departments and agencies may also
use the e-learning package in preparing their people for deployment.
The implementation of pre-deployment e-learning is in line with
CDF Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston’s comments during the
2004 Air Power Conference.
“We envisage a learning system making greater use of e-learning,
embedded training in workplace equipment and infrastructure, and
joint learning ventures,” he said.
“Ultimately we may have in place a ‘virtual campus’,
where learning could take place anywhere, at any time, providing
a flexible capacity to quickly [train] our people as needed.”
Further
information is available at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/det/campus/
or contact Lieutenant Commander David Murphy on (02) 4964 6082.
