Opening Ceremony of Exhibition “Peacekeeping Missions”
On July 22, there was the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition "Peace Missions" at Sergio Vieira de Mello Cultural Facilities. The new exhibition, sponsored by the telecommunications company Oi, portrays the activities developed by the military personnel from the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (CCOPAB) and the courses offered for the preparation of military personnel, police and civilians from Brazil and friendly nations assigned for peacekeeping and humanitarian demining missions. The event was honored by the presences of military and civilian apprentices from the Course on Protection of Civilians from the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay, military personnel from CCOPAB and guests, as well as by the members of the Sound of Peace Band.
From 22 to 26 of July, 2013, the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (CCOPAB) will offer the Course on Protection of Civilians (POC) at Sergio Vieira de Mello cultural facilities, Rio de Janeiro-RJ. This course aims at presenting the material produced by the Integrated Training Service (ITS), at enabling the concern on the need of protection of civilians, and also at developing and allowing discussions on the ways to fulfill these goals.
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.