CCOPAB finishes Peace Mission Preparation Course
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On 14 November, the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Center (CCOPAB, acronym in Portuguese) – Sergio Vieira de Mello Center –, finished the Peace Mission Preparation Course. The closing ceremony was held by GEN Kleber Nunes de Vasconcellos, Head of Peace Missions Operations, Aviation and General Inspector of the Military Police from the Land Operation Commander.
The course is entirely in English and aims to prepare military personnel to serve as General Staff Officer, Military Observer and United Nations Police Officer. The course gives them both theoretical and practical lessons.
In the first phase, the students received general information on the development of the course. They learned about the UN Charter, Brahimi Report, Capstone Doctrine, Independent High Level Panel on Peace Operations Report, and Cruz Report. They also had lessons on "Action for Peacekeeping", which was an on-line course held by United Nations agencies.
The second phase lasted for four weeks and it aimed at providing the students with opportunities to put their English into action in peacekeeping mission-related situations, such as filling in reports, delivering briefings, receiving authorities and interaction with the media, among other activities.
The third phase was carried out from 21 October to 14 November, when they learned about Specialized Training Material, which prepares them to perform their functions once they are deployed in the field. The last drill was carried out in Gericinó field. In order to improve their performances, students from the Brazilian Institute of Medicine and Rehabilitation took part in role play activities in different languages.
The CCOPAB had the collaboration of invited instructors from the Brazilian Army, the Special Forces, the Military Police, civil entities that are dedicated to the study of peace operations, as well as from friendly nations (United Kingdom and Switzerland). Forty-five students finished the course: twenty-eight were from the Brazilian Army; three from the Brazilian Navy; four from the Brazilian Air Force and ten from the national military police forces.
TRANSLATION: LT RANGEL.
