Let me begin by welcoming the Galilee International Management Institute to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. We are happy for the support in the area of public safety and security.
The modern era is frequently punctuated by crises emanating from the natural and social worlds that threaten national, regional and even international security. Crises have developed in various ways, including the catastrophic damage caused by natural disasters – for example, hurricanes and earthquakes. A host of transnational threats are also emerging: the rise of international terrorism, the spectre of cyber-attacks by belligerent states and politically motivated groups, climate change and the prospect of resource shortages.
It is therefore critical that senior personnel in all government agencies develop competencies in critically evaluating the prevailing logics of national security and develop their perspectives on the possibility of effective strategy planning in crises; specifically, new perspectives on (i) conceptualizing risks and threats to national security and (ii) operationalizing government’s strategic responses.
REQUIRED: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FIGHTING CRIME
Fighting crime requires a holistic approach based upon cooperation, confidentiality, improved knowledge and capabilities and effective coordination of the administrative and operational contexts. It means that there must be effective communications and actions relating to Government Policies, and amongst Ministries, the Security Forces and the general population.
To effectively meet our national security objectives, the collective capabilities of all agencies must enable the Government to call upon the essential functions that can inform our national security strategy. A review of literature has highlighted a number of outcomes of effective national security and crisis management interventions. These include:
- Threat detection, recognition, identification and monitoring
The ability to detect, assess and monitor potential threats.
- Intelligence, information and knowledge sharing and dissemination
Collecting, analyzing, assessing and sharing timely and useable intelligence and other information. This also includes the ability to develop and maintain knowledge management systems.
- Horizon scanning, risk assessment, modeling and simulation
Reducing uncertainty for decision-makers through the provision of coordinated and analytical scientific and technological support, taking into consideration current and future trends, risks, interdependencies and vulnerabilities. In so doing, there must be planning for capability development, options development and/or consequence assessments.
- National oversight, command, control and coordination
The infrastructure and arrangements at the national level should enable awareness and management of inter-agency operations.
- Public engagement, media and warnings
Communication with the public and media in a timely and coordinated manner, thereby raising awareness and delivering emergency warnings and threat information.
- Incident response, law enforcement, investigation and forensics
Developing the ability to enforce the law, deliver tactical responses to security or unlawful incidents, and to support post-incident investigations and prosecutions.
- Community and infrastructure resilience and recovery
The ability to work with communities and critical infrastructure owners to stabilize against national security risk, through building an awareness of risk and strengthening the capability to prevent, prepare, respond and recover from potentially harmful events. This includes temporary infrastructure for recovery.
- Policy, national governance and capability development
WE must develop the ability to provide strategic policy advice and implement legislation, policies and other forms of regulation to support national security objectives, as well as the ability to promote inter-agency operability.
EDUCATION
This list is by no means exhaustive. But it does serve to emphasize that a course in ‘national security and crisis management’ is by no means a trivial undertaking.
The Government is committed to the continuous building of capacities in the National Security Architecture in order for us to realize a safe, secure and stable environment, in which to live, raise families and do business.
Improving the training, education and development of the Security Forces, Key Persons in Ministries, other Agencies and Departments must therefore be viewed as a critical aspect of this requirement. It is through this means that we build a better understanding of what national security means and entails, and the part we each have to play in combating the threats to our nation. This is what causes us to develop the holistic approach necessary to tackle the problems that confront the nation.
So today is the realization of the engagement of Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Israel, a world-renowned organization that specializes in the delivery of National Security Training and Development at the Strategic, Policy and Operations Levels. The aim is to continue building capacities and capabilities by ensuring that persons in middle to senior level leadership and management positions can avail themselves of critical training and education exposures, allowing greater understanding and cooperation amongst critical elements in the fight against crime.
This is the second in the Series of engagements with GIMI. In December 2017, the Federation sent four Candidates, one each from the RSCNPF, SKNDF, CUSTOMS and EXCISE and HMP to attend a National Security Policy Formulation Course at the Institute in Israel. From all accounts, the training received was extremely relevant and valuable, and we have already begun to benefit from it in the organizations that participated.
The Course commencing today focuses upon National Security and Crisis Management, looking specifically at the problems peculiar to the Federation and seeking to empower participants to be able to deal effectively with them. Utilizing the concept of a holistic approach to National Security, candidates are drawn from the RSCNPF, SKNDF, HMP, SKNFRS, CUSTOMS and EXCISE, the Ministry of National Security and other Ministries of Government.
As crime evolves so too must the capacities and capabilities of the State strive to remain ahead of the game in order to create effective and enduring deterrents. My Government is committed to make St. Kitts and Nevis the safest place to live, work and do business. Given the legacy we inherited of a prolonged period of neglect of security, infrastructure, demoralizing policies, absence of accountability and transparency, we do not expect change overnight. Equally true is that given our significant investment and support for national security, we expect a prolonged season of safety and security for all our residents and visitors alike.
This training should help our Country to better respond to crises when they occur.
I commend all the participants. May you find it rewarding
