On September 1st, the course “Technical French” ended for the very first time at the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU), with the support as Coordinator of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Ramos, from the French Army currently serving in CAECOPAZ – Argentina.

Said course was held between August 28th and September 1st with the participation of 16 students including 3 foreigners, from the Federative Republic of Brazil, the United Mexican States and the Republic of Ecuador, also from the Ministry of Interior and the National Army.

This course was developed so that the personnel to be deployed in peacekeeping missions of French speaking nature have the ability and mastery of that language to perform a better work.

It should be noted that prior to the start of the course an evaluation test was conducted which determined the level of each student, forming two subgroups Basic and Intermediate Level.

In addition to the coordinator, among the instructors, we had the support of Dr. Ana De Oliveira, Sgt, Maj. Alejandra Dominguez, Professor Sonia Frigerio and Professor Alejandro Santoro this last one from the Institute “Alliance Française”.

As part of the course, a practical exercise was done that consisted of a Check Point where the students had to apply the knowledge acquired in class.

On August 29, the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU) received the visit of Hon. Consul of the Republic of Suriname, Lic. Nelson Simatovich.

Said Diplomat was received by the Director of ENOPU, Colonel Niver Pereira and the Deputy Director of ENOPU Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Caubarrere, whom after welcoming him exposed the academic activities realized by this School, as well as statistics and experiences from Uruguay in Peacekeeping Missions.

Later, they realized a tour around the facilities and accommodations of the School.

The National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU), with the support of the Department of Social Communications of the National Army, held between August 21 and August 24 the course ¨Press Correspondent – Journalist in Conflict Zones.”

The course had a total of 27 students, including foreign representatives, one students from the United Mexican States and two from the Republic of Paraguay. The course also had the presence of journalists, reporters, graduates in Social Communication and college students from communication careers.

Among the media, there were representatives from Sputnik News Agency, El Observador, Radio Uruguay, Press from the Ministry of Defense, Radio Sarandi, press office from Salto´s administration and Army personnel.

The instructors were from the Army, the Air Force and it had the special participation of journalist Carlos Maggi.

The topics developed in class were: deployment of Uruguayans in peacekeeping missions, basic equipment to work in such areas, security measures, preventive health measures and diseases, experiences from the UN Press Office and negotiation.

Then, a practical exercise was done in the Military Camp N^o 6 “Abra de Castellanos”, which began with a helicopter flight and security briefing and how to embark in the aircraft in charge of the Uruguayan Air Force.

The Armored and Mechanized Training Center (CIBM) and the Mechanized Cavalry Regiment N^o 4, who were performing exercises, collaborated with the logistic aspects and gave a class about ambushes and reactions to an attack.

Later exercises with role players were realized in which they had to put into practice the knowledges obtained previously such as negotiation, stress management, hostility, and pressure. Said exercised finalized with a night attack to evaluate their capacity of response.

To stay overnight, the accommodations existent in the place were used, which were built to support pre-deployment instruction, thanks to financial funds provided by GPOI.

On the way back from the Camp, the students visited the Engineers Instruction Center, where they received instruction about explosives and minefields; demonstrations of the K9 Military Group of work with dogs in charge of the Brigade of Infantry N^o 1 “General Eugenio Garzon”, and the Terrorist Artifacts Deactivation Team (EDAT) belonging to the Material and Weapon Service (SMA).

Finally, as part of the training activities, they received a lecture by the journalist Martín Sarthou, referring to his experience in the subject.

After that, a tour in the Parachute Infantry Battalion Nº 14 was carried out, where survival classes and guidelines were received to survive a kidnapping. The journey culminated with activities related to the rescue of hostages, shooting with long and short weapon.

As part of the activities of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU for its Spanish acronym), on Friday 28 July the Seminar “Women, Peace, and Security” finished.

The course was integrated by 28 students, among which there were four foreign students belonging to the Argentinian Air Force, two from the Federative Republic of Brazil and the last one from the Republic of Chile.

This Seminar included a variety of instructors including staff from the National Army, civilians, highlighting the presence of Dr. Deborah Gibbons from the Naval Postgraduate School. By the Ministry of Interior, the Technical Sub-Director from the Gender Policy Division Ms. Cecilia Erhardt; from the Ministry of Defense Dr. Isabel Suarez; from the Minsitry of Education and Culture Mrs. Rosita Angelo. From UN Women Ms. Magdalena Furtado and from the Minstry of Foreign Affairs, the Genreal Director of Politicas Affairs Ambassador Enrique Loedel.

Also, the Seminar had the pressence of Mrs. Angelina Vunge, author of the book “Angelina- The footprints left by Angola”, who told her experience abuot Violence in Areas of Armed Conflict, which moved and sensitized all the presents.

Also, as part of the Seminar a Conference was held in the Antechamber of the Senators Chamber with members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Women´s Bicameral bench, at the Uruguayan Parliament.

Said conference was in charge of Senator Ivonne Passada, member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), representatives of the Women´s Bicameral bench (BBF): Senator Monica Xavier, Deputy Gloria Rodriguez and Carolina Acher (assessor of the Deputy Susana Montaner).

The topics developed in class were based on the: Implementation of Security Council Resolution N 1325, that was in charge of Mag. Maria del Rosario Rodriguez who spoke about gender inclusion in all areas of United Nations. Approaching subjects like women in peacekeeping mission areas, sexual violence issues and matters around gender, that involved the female population in the areas where those missions are taking place.

The closure of the Seminar was attende by the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Jorge Menendez; The Director of the National Support System for Peacekeeping Operations (SINOMAPA for its Spanish acronym) General Marcelo Montaner; the Director of the  National Center for Higher Studies (CALEN for its Spanish acronym) General (R) Domingo Montaldo; the Director of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU) Colonel Niver Pereira The Deputy Director of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay, Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Caubarrere, among other special guests.

In this occasion, the Minister highlighted that in the most vulnerable areas, “the mere presence of the Uruguayan Flag and the Uruguayan woman, generates empathy, because the woman is the center of irradiation of Peace”.

While the Coordinator of the Seminar, Capitan (Apy-Abg) Carina de los Santos left the following message: “Women for the single fact of being women are considered victims of conflicts and are not seen in other roles of society. The International Law recognizes that she can be part of the negotiation processes, be part of the decision-making positions and be present in Security and Defense Institutions. United Nations promotes these roles.”

As part of the activities of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU for its Spanish acronym), on Friday, June 23 the ¨Pre-deployment course for the Special Transport and Engineers Groups – MFO Sinai¨, was completed.

A total of 33 students integrated the course, the topics developed in the classes were based on the tasks realized by the MFO members once they are deployed to the Sinai Peninsula.

It consisted of several activities, among them we highlight the organization of MFO force. Technical training, legal aspects, transport, driving, finances, rules of engagement, personnel safety, threat detection, and behavior in convoys, as well as English classes, Close-order Instruction, and physical education.

Also, Basic Vital Support training was provided at the Medical School of the Armed Forces, defensive driving with technicians from the State Insurances Bank, practical driving lessons at the Army Service of Transport. A convoy exercise was done at the Cavalry Regiment No. 4 and shooting at the Army School of Physical Education and Shooting.

To complete this, we had the presence of a Lecturer from the Diplomatic Corps of the Embassy of Israel, Consul Mr. Ariel Bercovih and the Professor Susana Mangana Responsible for the Cathedra ¨Islam and Arab World¨ from the Humanistic Formation Department of the Catholic University of Uruguay.

Consul Ariel Bercovich – Lecturer of the diplomatic corps of the Embassy of Israel

Professor Susana Mangana – Responsible for the Cathedra ¨Islam and Arab World¨ from the Humanistic Formation Department of the Catholic University of Uruguay

As part of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU) activities, on May 12^th, 2017 the course: Close Protection V.I.P. was completed.

The aim of this course was to prepare qualified personnel to fulfill the tasks of V.I.P Custody in Mission areas and risky zones.

47 students were part of the course, among them, there was a foreign student from the United States of Mexico being the rest of them from the National Army, Security of the Presidency and Ministry of Interior.

The topics developed in the class were about the formation of teams to protect the V.I.P person, how to organize the task, the roles played by each member assigned to protection, their responsibilities, and equipment.

It was dictated by a group of ENOPU instructors with support from personnel from the US Embassy who have an extensive experience in the area imparting knowledge in security and prevention, as well as in tactics to be used in an armed confrontation.

Also, special techniques for protection of personalities were provided, with emphasis on techniques of prevention, reaction, and deterrence of threats.

The classes taught by the staff from the US Embassy trained the personnel with IED and auto-bomb classes, as well as protective measures for vehicles and residences in high-risk areas, also they showed techniques of evasive management and tactical medicine.

The course culminated with two days of practical exercises at “Cortijo Vidiella” belonging to the Parachute Infantry Battalion number 14, in which Operational Procedures for the V.I.P. Protection in high-risk areas were carried out, these procedures were in charge of instructors from the Battalion (Bn. Parac. N^o 14), staff of the US Embassy and ENOPU Instructors.

Instructional aids such as armored vans, paintball, and shooting were used.

Last May 11, the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU), received the visit of the Georgian Ambassador, Mr. Guela Sekhniachvili.

In this opportunity, the Institute also received the visit of Officers who served in UNOMIG, who shared a pleasant reception.

Mentioned authorities were received by the General Director of SINOMAPA, General Marcelo M. Montaner and by the Director of ENOPU, Col. Niver B. Pereira.

The latter, after welcoming them exposed a presentation about the academic activities carried out by this school, as well as statistics and experiences from Uruguay in Peacekeeping Missions.

As part of the visit, life experiences from the Veterans who served in UNIMOG were shared in the words of Maj. (R) Ronald Garcia.

On the other hand, the writer Maria Laura Doutor, who wrote the book “Kitoko Mingi” shared an advance from her next work in which the experiences of the Officers that served in Georgia will be reflected.

The Director of ENOPU, Col. Niver Pereira dedicated the following words to the veterans:

Dear Veterans from Georgia,

Thank you so much for the support received and your presence. The meeting at ENOPU was very emotional. Hearing the words of several veterans, from the first (Klanian) to the last (Aldaya) takes us to reflect about how we were worthy representatives of our beloved country and that our strengths are the gift of people, our simplicity, and our humanitarian conception.

Due to the characteristics of that mission and especially for the hospitality of its people I have concluded that all of us who served in UNOMIG are bound by a unique feeling. Those experiences and the warm of each Georgian family that adopted us marked us forever.

To those who could not be here, thank you anyways, and we wait for you next time. Because there will be other meetings given that time will escalate the life experience and work for peace and above all the fact that we were privileged to have the opportunity of serving in UNOMIG.

To the Georgia Ambassador, Mr. Guell Sekhniachvili, thank you very much for your visit and for making us remember unique moments of our work as peacekeeper and from our lives.

And to the writer, Laura Doutor and Major Ronal Garcia for leaving us engraved in the best history of the Uruguayan work for world peace. Strong hug veterans!!!

As part of the activities of the National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay (ENOPU), on Friday April 28, 2017 the JMAC course: “Intelligence in Peacekeeping Missions” was completed.

With the aim to prepare and deployed Peace Forces trained in intelligence for the Operative Peacekeeping Missions.

The course was attended by 16 students, among them there were foreign students from the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of Paraguay, the remaining were from the Army, the Navy, Air Force and D.I.E.

 The topics developed in class included information analysis, intelligence characteristics, the methodology of intelligence production, structure, mission, JMAC operations in MINUSTAH and MONUSCO and new technologies applied to the Intelligence area in PKO.

Also, a video conference was held with Maj. (R) Sebastian Fasanello, chief of JMAC in MONUSCO.