President James Michel – who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces – on Wednesday launched the new military and police young leaders programmes at State House.

These two programmes are aimed at grooming determined young men and women to become future leaders and to bring more professionalism into the Seychelles Police and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces.

The event was attended by, among others, former President James Mancham, Designated Minister Danny Faure, speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, president of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, leader of government business Marie-Louise Potter and opposition leader in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan.

Defence forces chief Brigadier Leopold Payet, police commissioner Ernest Quatre, the military and police young leaders programme coordinator Lucy Athanasius, members of the diplomatic corps and other high government officials were also there.

President Michel addressed the 20 military and 26 police cadet officers telling them they were sending the message that they are ready to serve their country and their people.

“You are ready to lead. You are ready for the future,” he said.
Today we publish the speech President Michel made on the occasion along with a selection of pictures taken during the ceremony.

Ministers, Distinguished Guests, Dear Young Leaders from the police and the defence forces,

We honour today the determination of 46 of our young men and women who are dedicating themselves to leadership in the police and in the defence forces.

There are many challenges in both the military and the police. 

In my state-of-the-nation address, I highlighted the desire of the Seychellois people to have a more professional and dependable police force.  The world has moved fast in recent years, and whereas in the past we may have been outside the sphere of interest of those involved in trafficking the more dangerous drugs, this is no longer the case. 

This shift in modes of criminality needs to be accompanied by a shift in how we deal with such crimes. I outlined some of the key areas I feel we need to address in my speech, including new and updated laws where needed. But a better trained and more dynamic police force will always be a key part of the equation.  I am counting on the 26 young police leaders here today to take the police forward into a new era of professionalism.

The scourge of piracy has threatened our economy and has shaken the lives of many of our compatriots. And it will not simply disappear. As long as Somalia remains a failed state, piracy will continue to be a threat to the seas that surround us. So we must be vigilant and we must be ready to continue to fight and to continue protecting our resources and our people.

It is no secret that the first attacks took us all by surprise. But I am proud of how our armed forces have responded. I am proud of how we have responded as a nation to this threat to our way of life.  As Young Leaders, you must take up this challenge and further prepare our armed forces for us to become the best and most reliable in the region. When I look around me today, I know this is possible. I know that we can be the best. Tazar, our elite force, will continue to receive training for incisive operations to secure our country.

We are happy and proud that those of you here with us today have taken that important step forward, that important step towards leadership in these forces. You have stepped up to the challenge. 

By taking this step, you are sending a clear message – a message that you are ready. You are ready to serve your country and your people. You are ready to lead. You are ready for the future.

I have absolute faith in the youth of our country.  We need to continue to empower our youth, whether it be through promoting entrepreneurship and business creation or through multiplying the opportunities for education and self-improvement.

This process of empowerment is critical to the transformation which is ongoing in our society.  This is why we have extended the core Young Leaders Programme to encompass the military and the police. This is why we now have a university in our country. This is why we will continue to innovate and provide opportunities for advancement to our young people.

The police and the military are the guardians of our freedom. They are the sentinels that ensure that our progress and prosperity can continue unhindered by strife, criminality or external threats. 

As future leaders of these forces, you are in a unique position to shape our country’s future.  Through your motivation and diligence, I know we are in good hands.

So, excel in your performance.

Put service before self.

Be the exemplary patriot.

And be the change – the positive change that our country needs.

Thank you.

Forrás: http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=18824