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1 March 2006 ACT NOW!
Share your plans, and let's make the list big!
AUSTRIA
The Austrian Aid for Mine Victims will inform the media, do a press release, and contact its government to discuss mine action funding. They also plan to fundraise for Cambodia's first women demining team of Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
BANGLADESH
On 23 February, a meeting has been organised for giving prizes after a national picture contest under the theme "For Peace, Let the World Be Mine Free". In front of the media, the work of Nonviolence International Bangladesh and of the ICBL has been presented and discussed.
CANADA
Canadian Landmine Awareness Week: Public events organised in over 10 canadian cities, under the theme "Act Now For a Mine Free World. No reservations. No exceptions. No loopholes. No excuses." Activities include the Roundtable Forum for International Leaders in Mine Action, where diplomatic representation from countries whom have demonstrated financial, political and regional leadership in the mine ban movement will be in attendance. More ICBL info: Mines Action Canada
CAMBODIA
The Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines participated in a national meeting on Mine Awareness Day (24 February). The Campaign also sent letters to ambassadors, government ministries, NGOs, and will lobby for continued funding at a donors meeting in Phnom Penh on 2 and 3 March. A workshop on landmine survivors peer counselling is also planned.
DENMARK
Denmark against Landmines marks the day: a famous Danish artist has performed a litography especially for the event, and Her Highness Princess Alexandra will unveil this in the Alexander Hall, that Her Majesty the Queen has given permission to use. More ICBL info: www.landminer.dk
FRANCE
During its campaign “Stop Landmines!” launched after the Nairobi Summit, Handicap International collected thousands of petitions calling for the universalisation of the Mine Ban Treaty and addressed to the members of the UN Security Council which still are non-States Parties (China, Russia and the United States). Handicap International will meet representatives of China and the United States on 1st March at their embassies in Paris, in order to officially hand them in these petitions ; an answer from the Russian embassy is still expected. On the occasion of 1st March Handicap International also sent a letter to each non-signatory to the Treaty through their embassies in Paris.
GREECE
A piece is being written for a UNHCR media campaign about refugees, including a focus on landmine survivors.
INDIA
After a workshop on Non-State Actors and a national seminar in February, the Indian CBL will hold a press conference/briefing to press reporters on the Mine Ban Treaty in Nagpur, on 1 March. A regional seminar in North India, on SALW and landmines, is also planned.
LAO PDR
In response to feedback received from participants of the Youth Symposium held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2004, the Australian Network - International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL-AN) is organising a Youth Leadership Workshop (Vientiane, 3-5 March). The aim of this workshop is to further build the capacity of youth in mine action within the South East Asia-Pacific region. The workshop is for up to 28 young people between 18-26 years of age from countries in the region, who are willing to commit to working in their country for a mine-free world after attending the workshop. More ICBL info: Australian Campaign to Ban Landmines, australiaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org
LEBANON
Zero Mine Awareness Campaign (details to come)
NEPAL
Activities planned (details to come)
PAKISTAN
On 1 March, Sustainable Peace and Development Organisation (SPADO) will be briefing media and press releases will be sent. A meeting is planned with the Director General Disarmament in the ministry of Foreign Affairs. The youth branch of SPADO, "Youth for Peace", has also organized several activities that include quiz/essay competition among students on the landmine issue. A a seminar is planned for mid-March, during the visit of General Baril, the former Chief of Defence Staff of Canada. Diplomats, government officials, NGOs, politicians, religious scholars, media representatives and landmine survivors have been invited.
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