Journalists and Press Agents participate in training at CCOPAB
From 19 to 23 June, members of the Media attended the Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas carried by the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Center (CCOPAB, acronym in Portuguese). The goal of the Course is to train journalists and press agents to fulfill their duties in armed conflict areas or in the United Nations missions. The Course also had the support of the Brazilian Army Social Communication Center (CComSEx, acronym in Portuguese) and had the participation of thirty-eight media members from all parts of Brazil.
It was a very intense week with an array of theoretical and practical activities. The opening lecture of the Course was conducted by Colonel Ramires, CCOPAB’s commander, who presented the Center and its activities, which focus on the training of military and police personnel and civilians for peace missions. On the first day of training, journalist Ari Peixoto, from Globo Tv Network, delivered a lecture on his experiences in risky areas of Rio de Janeiro and abroad. He highlighted the importance of security as a major factor for the journalistic work.
Journalist Vera Araújo, from O Globo Newspaper, also brought her personal experiences and the difficulties she faced in news coverages in unsafe places. Military Justice Prosecutor Najla Palma addressed topics on Human Rights and on Humanitarian International Law in her lecture.
The Social Communication Centers of the Brazilian Armed Forces took part in the Course as well. Each Force had the opportunity to show the activities they carry out. Lieutenant General Rego Barros, Chief of the Brazilian Army Social Communication Center, delivered a lecture on the social communication activities the Army carries out, and highlighted the relation with the Media.
The students had the opportunity to take part in many practical activities, such as: first aid measures; progression in risky areas; conduct in case of collapses; fire fighting; procedures in landmine fields; communication and negotiation; chemical defense; firearms effect; and preparation of ration. In the second to last night of Course, the students also participated in a field exercise in order to put into practice what they had learned. The Specialized Training School (EsIE, acronym in Portuguese), the Army Training Assessment Center (CAADEx, acronym in Portuguese), the Specialized Training Center of the Military Fire Brigade of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CIEB, acronym in Portuguese) and the Pathfinder Company contributed to the accomplishment of the practical exercise.
CCOPAB also counted on the participation of Rodrigo Pimentel, former captain of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State and security assistant, who delivered a lecture in order to finish the Course.
