Journalists and Press Agents attend Course at CCOPAB
Rio de Janeiro – Between July 16 and 20, the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Center (CCOPAB, acronym in Portuguese) carried out the Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas (EPJAIAC, acronym in Portuguese). The aim of the course is to train journalists and press agents to work in armed conflict areas or in peace missions under the aegis of the United Nations. The course, which is held once a year and is supervised by the Brazilian Army Social Communication Center (CComSEx), had 35 press members as attendees, who came from different Brazilian states and one from Canada.
For five days, the participants experienced an intense routine, with an array of theoretical and practical activities. On the first day of course, Colonel Machado, CCOPAB’s Commander, delivered a lecture as well as journalist Ernani Alves, who shared his experiences as a member of the press.
Major General (Air Force) Antônio Ramirez Lorenzo, Lieutenant Commander (Navy) Rodrigo Fernandes Monteiro and Army Colonel Botelho, representatives of the Brazilian Armed Forces, showed the activities that are carried out by their respective Social Communication Centers, with special focus on media relations.
During the practical activities, the attendees could learn about the use of Simulation Devices for Tactical Engagement, Advance in Risky Areas, first aid measures, conduct in case of collapses, fire fighting, procedures in landmine fields, communication and negotiation, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, firearms effect and ration preparation. On the second to last day of course, a field exercise was carried out for the attendees to practice what they had learned.
Throughout the course, there was also the participation of the following guest instructors: Army Colonel Carlos Frederico Gomes Cinelli, Air Force Colonel Edmilson Leite Guimarães Filho, and Mrs. Karenine Miracelli Rocha da Cunha. The Specialized Training School (EsIE, acronym in Portuguese), the Airborne Infantry Brigade and the Specialized Training Center of the Military Fire Brigade of the State of Rio de Janeiro contributed to the accomplishment of the practical exercise.
As the last activity of the course, there was the participation of the renowned journalist Lília Teles, who delivered a lecture on her coverage of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
TRANSLATION: CPT CAMILA PAIVA
