The auditors spent a day and a night at the CEFE (Equatorial Forest Training Centre).
The instructors, legionnaires of the 3th Régiment étranger d'infanterie (REI), introduced them successively to the art of setting up a camp in the forest, survival in the jungle, the many ways of lighting a fire without a lighter or matches, the rudiments of seamanship needed to set up a hammock... After a meal shared around the "RCIR" ration box, the bivouac in the pouring rain gave listeners a chance to get to grips with the constraints of the Guianese terrain, as they waited to discover the progress by pirogue and the "Pécari" route, which was decidedly muddy, in the early hours of the morning!
This particular approach convinced the audience of the need for a perfect knowledge of the equatorial environment, as well as the respect to be given to its fauna, flora and dangers; above all, it aroused immense respect mixed with gratitude for the men and women who carry out this mission of instruction in the heart of the Guianese forest.
Listeners discover the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in Kourou
After their immersion in the jungle, the 700 km2 of the space centre appeared to them to be particularly futuristic. Whether from the bleachers of the Ibis site, where the constraints of protecting the centre were explained to them, or in the Jupiter control room, or even on the Ariane 6 launch site, the listeners appreciated in situ the professionalism of the many players - military, engineers and technicians - who are contributing to this great French and European adventure.
In addition to this geopolitical aspect, a series of demonstrations and lectures gave the audience an insight into the difficulties involved in combating illegal gold mining, maintaining law and order in the department against a backdrop of drug trafficking, combating illegal fishing, and so on.t and the difficulties of economic life in a continent structured by Mercosur.
In addition, by visiting the Iles du Salut, they were able to discover a very special historical aspect of the département: "the hell of the penal colony in a paradise setting"! Although now overgrown, the remains of the penitentiary facilities that once housed Captain Dreyfus and 'Papillon' still exude that astonishing atmosphere a century later...
These strong and contrasting experiences have undoubtedly enabled the auditors to understand in situ the challenges and opportunities that characterise this French exclave in South America.
