Are there learning points for others?
- NO! Some activists argue that the landmine issue, the campaign, and the period leading up the establishment of the Mine Ban Treaty are unique. So, lessons from the campaign are not easily transferred, they say.
- YES! Others argue that the campaign provides a new model for international advocacy and that, while total replication may be impossible, there are lessons that can be shared. And, they say, both non-governmental organizations and governments alike are already applying these learnings.
A number of studies have been made on why the campaign succeeded in getting a Mine Ban Treaty drawn up in such a short period of time and the successes in its implementation.
What worked for us
1. Clear campaign message and goal
A total ban of antipersonnel mines was something straightforward for everyone to rally around. In addition to having a simple message, we also framed our argument in a particular way. We focused on humanitarian as opposed to disarmament issues when motivating for a ban. The campaign’s message was backed up with strong visual images and the support of well-known personalities. This in turn helped to get the issue into the media, capturing the public's imagination.
2. Non-bureaucratic campaign structure and flexible strategy
This allowed for speedy decision-making and implementation. This flexibility meant we could work outside the UN system when we participated in the Ottawa process and within the UN later on when the Mine Ban Treaty came into force.
Jerry White and other landmine survivors outside a Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) meeting in Geneva, 1996. The Mine Ban Treaty was a solution to the failed revamp of the CCW. Photo: John Rodsted.
3. Effective coalitions
Alliances were built among and between NGOs, governments and international organizations. This was in part facilitated by improved electronic communication (first faxes and then emails) and also by the personal relationships between those involved.
4. Favourable international context
The context in which the treaty was negotiated was most favourable: the Cold War had ended, small and medium-sized states took the lead, governments provided strong leadership and used non-traditional diplomacy. Importantly, the treaty negotiations took place outside of UN institutions -- so there was provision for voting rather than a reliance on consensual procedures and NGOs were formal participants -- and this in turn ensured that the treaty remained focused and strong.
- Source: Don Hubert, “The Landmine Ban: a Case Study in Humanitarian Advocacy”, Occasional Papers Series published by The Thomas J Watson Jr. Institute for International Studies, USA.
- Jody Williams, The Role of Civil Society in Disarmament Issues: Realism vs. Idealism, 2 - 4 April 2002, Beijing.
- See also Mine Ban Treaty 101 for more on the Ottawa process which lead to the treaty’s establishment.