Anti-Piracy: Shipping cuts piracy roots with learning centre Girija Shettar

From: ihsmaritime360

A German anti-piracy initiative conceived in 2011 has taken shape in the form of an eLearning centre for children and adolescents in Djibouti.

The E-Learning-Zentrum, which can accommodate about 200 students, is situated in Balbala near the port of Djibouti, and offers training in, among other things: languages, office software, and how to apply for jobs.

The centre is located 20km from the Somali border, and is part of a drive by some companies in the shipping sector to eliminate the foundations of piracy in the Horn of Africa.

“At sea we are only really fighting the symptoms. The causes of piracy are to be found onshore,” said Michael Behrendt, president of the German Shipowners’ Association (Verband Deutscher Reeder – VDR), which founded the initiative with children’s charity SOS Children’s Villages International.

“The opening of the eLearning Centre is a key milestone to eliminate the foundations of piracy in the Horn of Africa on a sustainable basis,” said Behrendt.

Full Article Here