The Strategic Trade Control Enforcement (STCE) Programme carries on with its capacity building activities through an online delivery format during the last quarter of 2020, hoping that physical trainings will be possible again next year.
From 22 to 25 September 2020, the STCE team delivered a sub-regional training for Customs Administrations in Countries member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Due to the virtual nature of the course, the curriculum had to de adapted to a 3 hours delivery per day, which enabled the trainers to cover an introduction to all main STCE topics, from the International legal framework to the specificities of various goods falling in the definition of strategic and dual-use materials and equipment.
Together with the WCO STCE team, one accredited and one pre-accredited Expert trainers in the region, Mr. Francisco Martins from Angola and Mr. Bongani Dlamini from South Africa, had the opportunity to share their national STCE experience and to present part of the curriculum to their colleagues and neighbours. In addition, the training also counted with the expertise of the WCO small Arms and Light Weapons Project Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Reynolds, who delivered the module on weapons and military equipment by providing some interesting case studies. The representative for Global Affairs Canada, donor of the STCE Programme, Mr. Rickard Kerwin, was also present throughout the whole course and he reiterated the Government of Canada’s trust and enthusiasm for the Programme and praised the WCO STCE Programme for its swift response to the Covid-19 situation through its hosting of these webinars during his welcome and closing remarks.
With 132 participants from 10 different administrations, the speakers made use of different tools to engage the audience, like Mentimeter quizzes and questions, which are being very appreciated by the attendees.
The WCO has received good feedback for the online training, as shown by Ms. Johanna Amukushu’s comment: “First and foremost, let me thank you for the opportunity. Secondly, apart from the informative and practical session, I acknowledge the well-articulated presentations from presenters who knew their subject matters very well. Thirdly, I wish to attend to more of the webinars in future with WCO, particularly on STCE topics.” The STCE team plans to deliver physical trainings in the region once the global health situation will allow it, in the meantime the Programme is organizing two webinars focused on STCE Risk Management and Targeting, for Customs Administration which have already received STCE trainings, which will be delivered in October 2020.