Da Nang, 25^th August 2014

A five-day Training of Trainers workshop on Building Comprehensive Capacity to Combat Human Smuggling for 20 frontline border control officials took place between 25 August and 29 August 2014 in Da Nang. The training was organized by IOM with the support of the Canadian Government to equip these officials with necessary knowledge and skills so that by the end of the course they are capable of carrying out subsequent training courses as trainers.

The honoured guests at the opening ceremony included H.E. David Devine – Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr David Knight – IOM Chief of Mission and Colonel Vu Huu Tai – Ministry of Public Security.

In his speech, H.E. Mr. David Devine – Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam – spoke highly of the collaboration between IOM, the Government of Canada and the Government of Viet Nam to combat people smuggling. He noted that Vietnam had to manage an “increasingly diverse regular and irregular migrant flows”. He stated that, through strengthened inter-agency coordination and international cooperation, efforts to combat human smuggling and illegal migration will be even more effective. This training sought to provide appropriate training tools for front-line officials in the fight against human smuggling in Vietnam.

Mr. Knight pointed out that IOM is well-placed to assist Vietnam to face and overcome the challenges of human smuggling. He highlighted the importance of the partnership in countering human smuggling and irregular migration. He said that through the training course, the delegates will gain not only a wealth of insights, different perspectives and experiences in dealing with organized human smuggling crimes but also training methods to deliver the training themselves in the future, in order to sustain the initiative.

Mr. Vu Huu Tai acknowledged that globalisation has created far greater opportunities for international travel, which poses increasing challenges for border control agencies. Capacity building for frontline border control officials on combating human smuggling is therefore a pressing issue. Mr Vu Huu Tai added that the training course is extremely meaningful as it will directly address the issue. He urged the delegates to actively participate and contribute in the training sessions to achieve the best possible results. He also expressed gratitude towards IOM and the Canada Government for their efforts in organising this training opportunity.

The first part of this training course, which was prepared and delivered by Mr. Adrian Loxton, aimed to equip the frontline border control delegates with the knowledge and skills necessary in detecting, investigating and prosecuting organized human smuggling cases. The delegates also had the opportunity to share their own perspectives and practical experiences regarding human smuggling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Que Thu from the legal department, Ministry of Public Security also contributed an inspiring session on Information Sharing and Data Protection in cross-border human smuggling and trafficking cases.

The second part of the training course focussed on Training Techniques and Methodologies, delivered by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ba. In this part of the course, delegates acquired a number of training methods for effective adult learning and put these methods in action through developing and delivering mock teaching sessions.

At the end of the course, the border control delegates expressed confidence that they had gained a sufficient amount of knowledge and skills to prepare their own training curriculum and deliver what they learned from this course to their officer colleagues as trainers themselves.