Agenda
Speech by Gary Lewis
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UNODC Computer-Based Training Programme Expansion in South East Asia and the Pacific

Bangkok (Thailand), 17 March 2010 - As part of the preparations to improve its award-winning computer-based training programme for front-line law enforcement officers in South-East Asia and the Pacific, the UNODC Regional Centre convened a meeting of law enforcement training experts from eight countries in Bangkok from 10 to 12 March to share ideas on the new integrated global e-learning strategy.

The three-day workshop was attended by 24 participants from China, Fiji, Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

Computer-based training is particularly effective in imparting knowledge and raising awareness of specific issues. The training is provided using UNODC-approved modules in regional law enforcement training institutions and academies. Because it is computer-based, the training is available continuously, is cost-effective (it generally costs less than US$ 1 per person, per hour) and ensures that everyone is trained to the same standard. Crucially, the training is provided in the native language of the officer.

Since 1999, UNODC has been providing Member States with technical assistance to address a range of issues related to transnational organized crime through computer-based training. The existing UNODC curriculum contains 78 modules and is available in 18 languages. It is currently being delivered via 300 centres in 52 countries. More than 100 of these centres are in South-East Asia and the Pacific. In fact, UNODC started its computer-based training operations working out of its Regional Centre in Bangkok.


At the workshop held in March, participants became familiar with the computer-based training programme, which is a modern platform for training those officers who operate at the sharp end of law enforcement. Currently, the computer-based training material contains over 100 hours of training and covers subjects as diverse as interdiction at sea and in the air, as well as at border crossings, search techniques, controlled delivery, risk management, anti-money-laundering and human trafficking, among others.

In the future, more computer-based training courses will be prepared and new modules will be developed, to be delivered to Member States. The workshop enabled participants to gain valuable insight into the training needs of each country and helped lay a foundation for the implementation of additional computer-based training opportunities. Participants who already had experience with such training were on hand to share knowledge acquired from managing the CBT programme.