Commenting on this international event, Assistant Commissioner (Training) David Thomas, who is also Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: "We are all the more honoured because it is the first time the Symposium is held outside France and it is the first time the Force has been invited by the Interpol to co-host the Symposium."

"Building an International Learning Community" - the Symposium's vision statement - has aptly summarised what the international police training community aspires to attain. It symbolises collaborative training efforts, coherent training strategies and close ties and co-operation that will put police training in a global perspective.

The Symposium will share knowledge, skills, expertise and above all experience in developing learning and training solutions to global policing problems.

The Symposium will cover five major themes. They are:

* training solutions to global and organised crime,

* the role of training in crime prevention and crime reduction,

* professionalisation of police training,

* towards technology-led training strategies, and

* developing effective modern police managers.

The Symposium will be held between March 15 and 17 at the Auditorium of Police Headquarters. Mr Thomas added: "It will be not only a chance for us to learn from our counterparts, but also an opportunity for us to showcase our learning initiatives and put us on the world map of police training".

Senior Superintendent Bernie So, who is heading the Symposium Secretariat, said: "Delegates are expected to be officials in charge of police training from around the world, including a 20-member delegation from the Mainland and Macao. Major formations will also be invited to nominate officers to participate.

"The Symposium will be held in conjunction with the Force's 3rd Learning and Development Exhibition, which will be held in the Multi-purpose Hall of the new PHQ and will be open to all Force members," Mr So added.

Force members interested to learn more about the upcoming Symposium may visit the Symposium website: www.interpol-symposium.org.hk.