Closing Day of the Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas – 2013
July 12, 2013 was the last day of the Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas at the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operation Joint Center (CCOPAB). After a week of intense theoretical and practical activities, the media professionals produced videos related to the course, which they presented to their classmates in the morning of that day. After that, they joined to their instructors in the closing ceremony headed by the Commander of CCOPAB Colonel Baganha.
The morning of July 11 started with the presentation of Advisor Alexandre Brasil da Silva, from the Press Assistance of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office. Mr. Brasil da Silva spoke about "Media in Armed Conflicts". After that, the apprentices went to the Basic and Advanced Center for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants of the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro, where they participated in the drills of "Advance in Risky Areas" taught by MP Captain Sérgio.
During the third day (July 10) of the course, the journalists had their first practical activities, with instructions at the Brazilian Army's Specialized School concerning "Land Mines and Procedures for Potentially Risky Areas" presented by Major Alexsandro and "Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense" presented by Captain Anderson Wallace. After the theoretical part, the apprentices entered a tear gas chamber, and considered it a thrilling and important experience due to the effects caused in them and the proportion imagined in a possible chemical war.
Sound of Peace Band is composed of military musicians from the Brazilian Navy, Brazilian Army, Brazilian Air Force, and military firefighters and policemen of the State of Rio de Janeiro. After a pause in the activities, Sound of Peace Band resumed its presentations on July 5 for the birthday celebration of the Commander of the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (CCOPAB) Colonel Baganha; in that opportunity, the band's gift to the Center's commander was the "Dobrado Comandante Baganha", a military song composed especially for him. The band also made a presentation during the ice-breaking activity of the Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas on July 8 in the area of Sergio Vieira de Mello Cultural Facilities.
In the beginning of the second day of the course (July 9) at the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (CCOPAB),Military Justice Prosecutor and Ms. in International Humanitarian Law Najla Nassif Palma presented a lecture on "International Humanitarian Law and Media Protection". After that, Commander Toscano talked about "Improvised Explosive Devices" and Master Chief Petty Officer (Marines) Esteves made a speech on "Non lethal weapons".
July 8 was the opening day of 2013's Course for Journalists in Conflict Areas, held at the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (CCOPAB). The course counts on the participation of journalists and professionals who work in several areas of communication and military personnel from social communication, and aims at the preparation of the apprentices with practical and theoretical classes through five days.