Activities Around the Globe on the Second Anniversary of the Opening for Signature of the 1997 Landmines Convention and International Day for Disabled Persons

Angola: Public awareness-raising events and media. Contact: hbarlevi-at-unicef-org

Belgium: Opening of exhibition "Terres Minées". Contact: stan-brabant-at-handicap-be

Brazil: Press release and letters urging ratification to relevant lusophone governments. Contact: banirminas-at-viavale-com-br

Cambodia: International Disabled Day celebrated in Samroung village Wat (temple) in mine affected Ochrou district, Banteay Meanchey, by hundreds of disabled people, villagers, monks, non-governmental organizations and ministry and district representatives. "It is an occasion to raise awareness of the issues of disabled people and to celebrate the anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty to Ban Landmines," said Ms. Sok Eng, spokesperson for the campaign in Banteay Meanchey. At Banteay Prieb, Kandal province, disabled students gathered for their own mini Olympics. Humor, courage and perseverance triumphed over athletic prowess, said the eyes of Klieng Vann, a campaigner who rode his cyclo from Paris to Brussels to encourage the mine ban in the lead up to the 1997 treaty. Battambang will hold a parade on Sunday 3 December and a public event is scheduled for Phnom Penh at the National Assembly Park. Press release. Contact: jrscam-at-forum-org-kh

Canada: Six world-class singers will be performing at the National Arts Centre in commemoration of the third anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty. Regular concert tickets sold out in a matter of days. Vietnam Veteran's of America Foundation (VVAF) hosts the concert which features performers such as: Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Prine. This concert is part of a five-stop North American tour in support of continued public action of the landmine treaty. During the concert the Vietnam Veteran’s of America Foundation (VVAF) will present former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy with an international award for his service in this issue. Mines Action Canada and the Canadian Landmine Foundation will be hosting a post-concert Golden Circle reception. Press release. Other activities include "mining" of public spaces, displays and awareness-raising presentations across Canada in conjunction with the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Program Contact: MAC at macinfo-at-web-ca www.minesactioncanada.com or VVAF at clfw-at-vi-org www.vvaf.org

Colombia: Public events and media release. Contact: cccminas-at-cccminas-org

France: Letters sent to all African Embassies in France urging participation in the SC meetings in Geneva and the upcoming pan-African landmines seminar in Bamako, Mali in February. Contact: kgavand@compuserve.com

Georgia: Action to support disabled persons organized by Georgian CBL and other Georgian NGOs. Contact: icblgc-at-access.sanet-ge

India – Seminar on Landmines 6 December in Kohima, India . Contact: iipdep-at-nagpur.dot.net-in

Mauritius – Awareness-raising film presentation to commemorate the anniversary. Contact: sbkeetharuth-at-yahoo-com

Nepal: National Seminar: Ban Landmines for Human Rights and Peace on the occasion of Human Rights Day and the anniversary 11-12 December. Contact: wodes-at-unlimit-com

Russia: St. Petersburg, Russia. First Hockey-on-Prostheses Championship, a central event for the Russian National Congress "People and Health" devoted to the World Day of Disabled and the Anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty. " Contact in Russia: ph-at-peterlink-ru In US: mpitkin-at-lifespan-org http://www.hop.spb.ru/

On the eve of the 3d anniversary a seminar for journalists (TV and press) will be held including a visit to one of the Engineer brigades located near Moscow. Opening of the exhibition of George Gittoes "Minefields" at the Central House of Journalists, Moscow on Dec 4 along with the IPPNW-Russia photo exposition "Ban Landmines". Lectures by George Gittoes at the Moscow-based medical/general educational institutions. TV Broadcast of video-clips "Stop Landmines".

Contact: scippnw-at-online-ru

Sri Lanka: Public awareness-raising event. Contact: ifpdlm-at-itmin-com

USA: over 45 student groups and landmine activists in 31 states are sponsoring landmine-related events around the country this week. Some of the events planned for today include an enormous pile of shoes in Hermantown, Minnesota symbolizing those who lose a limb or life to landmines each year; activists in Reading, Massachusetts collecting signatures on a petition to President Clinton; and over 200 students from across Colorado educating their classmates about US policy on landmines and the reality of daily life for those living in mine-affected countries. "We hope that President Clinton will take steps to salvage his legacy on landmines before leaving office," said Gina Coplon-Newfield, Coordinator of the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL). "And for the safety of civilians and soldiers alike, the treaty should be a top agenda item for our next Commander-in-Chief." The USCBL is urging President Clinton to take several steps before leaving office to move the United States towards joining the treaty. Contact: banmines-at-phrusa-org www.banminesusa.org

International: Report on Second Meeting of States Parties published and sent, with letter urging ratification/accession and full participation in the SC meetings, to all governments. Press release.