The Rio Branco Institute, located in Brazil, was created in 1945. The Preparation course for the diplomatic career was established in March, 1946 and it has just celebrated its’ 50th anniversary. In order to enter a diplomatic career an individual must complete a rigorous program at IRBr and pass a stringent National Examination upon completion of all of the course and field work.
The Diplomatic Career Program is a two year course of study and field work. Upon completion, you will begin the Graduation and Improvement Program which, upon successful completion, will provide you with an equivalent to a Masters Degree in Diplomacy. Beginning your diplomatic career, will require that you take and pass an IRBr Entrance Examination that is given annually. Announcements for the examination are posted in October and November prior to the examination. Qualifying for the program will require that you have an undergraduate degree with a focus on diplomacy and have all necessary documents and paperwork in order.
The course of study PROFA-I is a career-oriented training which is provided to students to assure that they are able to participate confidently and successfully in international relations. This program is updated as changes to policy and tasks are adjusted so that all individual in the Diplomatic Corps are kept current on protocol, policy, and information.
During your first year of studies, the primary focus will be on reviewing and evaluating your prior diplomatic knowledge. There will be forty weeks spent working in several disciplines that fall into one of three categories. You will be studying Diplomatic Concepts, Languages, and Career-Oriented Studies.
During the 2nd year of study, you will be focusing on development of professional skills. Mornings will be spent honing your diplomatic skills in meeting with department heads and Itamaraty’s administration methodology. In the afternoon, you will be working in a trainee capacity off-site. Training aboard will take place during at the close of your second year in training.
A full evaluation and review of your training and knowledge will take place at the close of your 2nd year. At this time successful students will receive a recommendation for confirmation to the Foreign Service.
When you have completed the two years of training, the National Examination will be the next challenge that you will face. The examination is completed in five phases. However, you must successfully pass the Pre-Selection Examination to compete in the other 4 phases of the examination.
Phase 2 of the National Examination is a Language Test in English and Portuguese. Phase 3 of the National Examination are six tests which is given both written and orally. The content tested is Contemporary International Relations, English, History, Geography, Notions of Law, and Notions of Economics.
In Phase 4 you will receive a Physician and Psychological evaluation; and, Phase 5 will include an Application in the Graduation and Improvement Program.
Once you have successfully passed the National Examination, your career will start as a 3rd Secretary with your training continuing through the Post of Counselor through the Diplomats’ Improvement Course (CAD). Following successful completion of this phase, you will move to Second to the First Secretary and enter the Higher Studies Course (CAE). The next step in your career path will be the Counselor to Second Class Minister.
When you have successfully completed the IRBr program, you will enter a wonderful career that will take you all over the world. You will experience new adventures, challenges and use your skills and knowledge on a daily basis. You will have become a representative of the best that Brazil has to offer and a wonderful servant of your people and Country.
Do you want to learn information that could be helpful for the IRBr. Well, for those that know about this, , we can provide you some of the best information about the Relacoes internacionais (International Relations). One step away from learning about it.
