–as Florida National Guard, GDF partner for women, peace and security workshop 

WOMEN in the field of national security will be exposed to various capacity-building exercises over the next two days, through a women, peace and security workshop organised by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Florida National Guard (FLNG). According to a press release from the U.S. Embassy, visiting delegates from the Florida National Guard will be in Georgetown, from August 5-6, to strengthen relationships and leadership among women in the field of national security. Colonel Elizabeth Evans is leading the delegation and they will cover topics ranging from personal stories of leadership to exploring the obstacles that Guyanese women face as they serve the national security of Guyana. This programme, according to the embassy, seeks to improve operational effectiveness by providing an understanding of women’s response, integration, recruitment, and behaviour within the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), FLNG and GDF.   The U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Programme (SPP) has been successfully building relationships with partner nation forces since 1993, and with Guyana since 2003.  Through SPP, the National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements to support defence and security co-operation around the world.
The partnership between the Florida National Guard and Guyana is a critical component of the security co-operation between the U.S. and Guyana. Through training and shared exercises, the relationships built so far continue to contribute to Guyana’s operational readiness and security.