Media Highlights and Photo Opportunities

Please check back regularly as additional media opportunities will be added as they are confirmed.

Unless otherwise indicated, please call Nancy Ingram at +385 (0)98 958 7256 or email media@icbl.org for more information on these opportunities.

Monday, November 28

13:00-14:00, 6MSP Opening Press Conference, Zagreb Fair Ground, Conference Room #1, Hangar 7

Interview/Photo opportunities:

• Speaking at the press conference will be: President designate of the 6MSP, Croatia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; ICBL Ambassador and Nobel Co-Laureate, Jody Williams; current presiding President of the Meeting of States Parties, Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch of Austria; and the Vice President of the ICRC who will share their hopes and expectations for the outcome of this meeting.

14:00-15:00, Charting Progress: Global findings from Landmine Monitor Report 2005,Zagreb Fair Ground, Conference Room #2, Hangar 7.

The 7th annual report of the ICBL will be presented to 6MSP participants. A network of 77 researchers from 72 countries contributed to this research initiative. This year's report, at 1,071 pages, reports on 112 countries, focuses on mine-affected countries; States Parties with continued Treaty implementation obligations; and non-States Parties.

Media opportunity:

• ICBL’s Head of Delegation, Steve Goose will provide delegates and media with overview of latest findings and trends in the 2005 Landmine Monitor Report.

17:30-18:00, Inauguration of world-renowned landmine photographer John Rodsted’s exhibition, Halfway: Bosnia , 10 years after the war, Plenary Lobby, Hangar 7a.

Halfway, Bosnia, 10 years after the war is a comparative photo exhibit of photo’s taken in 1995 and 2005. In this exhibit we are able to see the scars of war slowly disappearing behind new houses, new businesses and playgrounds in Sarajevo. Pictures of an ex-solider who helps clear the mines he has laid during the war. Zorko Peric, injured when he was 12-years old by a mine while collecting woods in the forest and now at 22 years old. The message in the exhibit according to Rodsted is, “ Bosnia is a clearance project that has come halfway. International commitment and dedication need to be maintained to see the job through to the end. Only then will we be able to label this piece of history as finished.”

Interview and photo opportunity:

• From 17:30-18:00, Zorko Peric, one of the young landmine survivors featured in the then and now exhibit, will be on hand to pose for photos in front of his 1995/2005 pictures and to share his story of how his life has changed over the past 10 years. World-renowned photographer, John Rodsted, will also be on-hand for interviews about the exhibit and why he felt compelled to create it. Damir Jaksic, Programme Manager- NPA Croatia Mine Action Programme

18:00-18:15pm, 6MSP delegates will gather for the official unveiling of the exhibit sponsored by Norwegian People’s Aid.

Tuesday, November 29

14:00-15:00pm, Book launch of “ Landmines and Quran”, Zagreb Fair Ground, Conference Room #1, Hangar 7

Dr Qibla Ayaz, Dean Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies, University of Peshawar,Pakistan will give a talk on Landmines and the Islamic perspective on mine use. Arguing that landmines are inherently un-Islamic, Dr. Ayaz will introduce a book containing quotes from the Quran and Hadiths. Sponsored by Landmine Action.

Media opportunity:

• Dr. Qibla Ayaz will launch his book entitled “ Landmines in Islam” at an open discussion where he will present information on how Islamic teachings view the use of landmines. Interviews available after the session.

Wednesday, November 30

13:00-15:00, Launch of “Armed Non-State Actors and Landmines. Volume I: A global report profiling NSAs and their use, acquisition, production, transfer and stockpiling of landmines” report, Conference Room #2, Hanger 7

Geneva Call will launch this report, which builds on an initial analysis published in 2004, provides a comprehensive mapping of non-state actor (NSA) use, acquisition, production, transfer, and stockpiling of landmines, through a presentation of individual group profiles and a global analysis.

Interview opportunities:

• Interview opportunities with representatives of Geneva Call will be available before or after the report launch. English, French and Swiss language available.
• Interviews can also be arranged with Landmine Monitor 2005 Research Coordinator for Non-State Actors, Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan in English or Thai.

19:30-20:15, 1000 Km Against Landmines - Welcome to Armin Koehli, Student Centre, Foyer

Armin Koehli, a cyclist with both lower limbs amputated, is cycling from Geneva to Zagreb for a more than 1000 km journey sponsored by Geneva Call. He wants to alert the public and the media to the struggle against landmines and to the needs of mine victims. Following the welcoming, a local acrobatic theatre group from Split called "Hram" will give a short performance. The evening will end with a concert by over 30 young landmine survivors who have been sponsored to attend summer music workshops in Rovinj by Norwegian People’s Aid and Croatian Mine Victims Association.

Photo and interview opportunity:

• Armin will cycle into the Student Centre accompanied by several local cyclists to be greeted by the Vice President of Croatia, 6MSP delegates, 30+ landmine survivors and delegates from the “In Our Lifetime” International youth symposium. Interviews available with Armin or the sponsoring organizations.

Thursday, December 1st- Friday, December 2nd

13:00-15:00, Survivors Handicraft Village, Hangar 7, Exhibition Hall

Assisting landmine survivors with full rehabilitation and reintegration is one of the obligations of States Parties under the Mine Ban Treaty. As such, the ICBL will mount a Handicraft Village to showcase the various handicrafts made by survivors as one example of an income generation activity. Survivors from Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Tajikistan, Guatemala, and Nepal will be showcasing their products.

Media and photo opportunities:

• Landmine survivors from various parts of the world selling their crafts to delegates in a market-type atmosphere.

Interviews with survivors and/or regional campaigners on their personal experiences and the challenges of fulfilling the needs of landmine survivors around the world.

Friday, December 2

14:00pm (place TBC), Mines for Vines/Roots for Peace “Toast for Peace”

The grapevine is a symbol of peace. Whether the juicy nectar of fresh grapes, raisins or a fine bottle of wine, the grapevine is a time-honored symbol for peace as we celebrate a harvest of hope. Nobel Co-Laureate, Jody Williams and 6MSP delegates will toast for peace to mark the ending of the 6MSP and the International Day of the Disabled on Saturday, December 3rd. Sponsoring organization, Roots for Peace, has made significant donations to support CROMAC’s efforts of clearing land in Croatia. Wine will be served from regions of Croatia where landmines have been removed and vineyards have been restored.

Photo and interview opportunity:

• Nobel Co-Laureate Jody Williams leading the Toast for Peace surrounded by 6MSP delegates, survivors and youth.
• Interview opportunity with Roots for Peace founder and CEO, Heidi Kuhn on their mine clearance initiatives in Croatia and Afghanistan.

Late afternoon immediately following end of 6MSP, currently scheduled to close at 18:00pm, 6MSP Closing Press Conference, Zagreb Fair Ground, Conference Room #1, Hangar 7

Interview/Photo opportunities:

• Speaking at the press conference will be: ICBL Ambassador and Nobel Co-Laureate, Jody Williams; a senior official of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Peter Herby of the Mine Action Unit of the ICRC will share their respective views on the outcomes of the 6MSP.