Workshop on Engaging Non-State Actors on Landmine Ban

(Tuesday 05 August 2003 Bangkok, Thailand) Open Invitation to Participate in the Workshop on Lessons Learned on Engaging Non-State Actors on a Landmine Ban 13 September 2003, Bangkok

Landmine ban advocates, students and practitioners in the field of disarmament, humanitarian law and conflict resolution, and other interested parties are invited to join the whole-day workshop on Lessons Learned on Engaging Non-State Actors on a Landmine Ban. The workshop will take place on 13 September 2003 at:

The Suan Dusit Palace Hotel 295 Ratchasima Road, Dusit Bangkok 10300, Thailand.

Interested persons who register for the workshop before 31 July will be provided with conference materials, meals and snacks during the workshop. Please register by indicating your interest and providing some basic information (name, affiliation, e-mail address) at mferrer "at" kssp.upd.edu.ph c/o Miriam Ferrer and at twsc "at" kssp.upd.edu.ph c/o Sharon Quinsaat. There is no registration fee.

Participants who wish to make presentations on any of the suggested themes below are asked to send their abstracts not later than 31 July 2003 to the same e-mail addresses.

The September workshop in Bangkok, will be held on the Saturday before the Monday opening of the Fifth Meeting of State Parties (5MSP) to the Mine Ban Convention on 15 September, also in Bangkok. If you wish to know more about this and other activities being organized around the 5MSP, please visit the ICBL website.

Room rate at The Suan Dusit Palace Hotel for non-funded participants is $15/night (including breakfast). Requests for booking should be made to Ms. Tai at the Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines/International campaign to Ban Landmines 5MSP office at 5MSP "at" icbl.org.

Funded ICBL participants should coordinate with Liz Bernstein at banemnow "at" icbl.org.

The one-day “Looking Back, Looking Forward” Workshop will comprise of several panel presentations addressing various aspects of NSA engagement work. Tentatively, these panel themes include:

1. APPROACHES & INSTRUMENTS FOR ENGAGEMENT OF NSAs ON A MINE BAN -
   case studies of different approaches and strategies in engaging NSAs on a mine ban, and discussion of lessons & comparative advantages; case studies in the use of different instruments for NSA adherence to a mine ban, including the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment, and comparative discussion; review of the initial guidelines for engaging NSAs on a mine ban.
2. ENGAGING NSAs ON A MINE BAN WITHIN & OUTSIDE PEACE PROCESSES -
   case studies of the two scenarios (engagement within & outside peace processes) in different as well as in the same countries, with lessons drawn; discussion on the relationship between a mine ban & the peace process; comparative analysis of the advantages & disadvantages of the two scenarios.
3. IMPLEMENTATION & MONITORING OF NSA MINE BAN COMMITMENTS -
   case studies of NSA measures of implementation of a mine ban commitment, with lessons drawn; case studies of monitoring & verification, with lessons drawn; discussion on the interrelationship of landmine monitoring with human rights , international humanitarian law, peace & ceasefire monitoring (using existing or creating new monitoring networks).
4. EXPERIENCES IN NSA MINE ACTION, WITH OR WITHOUT A MINE BAN -
   case studies of the two scenarios (with or without a mine ban commitment); discussion on the relationship between mine action & a mine ban; case studies of NSA mine action and community rehabilitation & development.
5. REVIEWING THE LEGAL REGIME FOR ENGAGING NSAs ON A MINE BAN -
   reviewing the relevant strengths and weaknesses of the Mine Ban Treaty, and discussing possible recommendations for the 2004 Review Conference; reviewing other international legal norms, inc. Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons; reviewing some relevant cases of national legislation.

If you are interested to be a presenter please complete the following information:

Name

Affiliation

Email Address

Title of Presentation

Abstract

Note: Abstracts should identify the focus and coverage of the presentation, and the key points, lessons or arguments to be made.

Full papers will not be required for the presentation. Given the limited time for the workshop, it is suggested that presenters come prepared with an outline of their presentation and bulletpoints of major statements/findings/conclusions.

Please submit the above required information not later than 31 July 2003.

The workshop is a project of the ICBL NSA Working Group and Geneva Call, with the Philippine and Thai campaigns as lead organizers.