So you want to plan an event?

Action Checklist

Taking action on the landmines issue involves much more than actually carrying out an action. It also includes things such as planning and evaluating your activities. Keep these stages in mind when taking action.

What’s Your Situation?

Every campaigner is in a unique position. Your country situation, religion, culture, social and economic circumstances, aspirations and interests will determine your approach. Recognizing your situation may help you decide on the best actions to take.

Ask yourself:

• Do you live in a country that has been affected by war?
• Do you live in a country affected by landmines?
• Has your country ratified the Mine Ban Treaty?
• Has your country signed the Mine Ban Treaty?
• Is your country a Mine Ban Treaty non-signatory?
• What actions have you seen other activists in your community take on the landmines issue or other social justice issues?
• What actions are appropriate to take in your community?
• Are you taking action on the landmines issue alone?
• Are you part of a youth group that is taking action?
• Do you have the support of adult leaders or ICBL member organizations?

Setting Goals

Setting both short- and long-term goals is essential to the successful outcome of any project. Setting a long-term goal can be compared to choosing your holiday destination and setting a short-term goal is like deciding what you need to do in order to get there (i.e. What mode of transport will you use? What do you need to pack? When will you go? etc). Before starting any project make sure to take time to set your goals.

Ask yourself:

Long term goals:

• What is your ultimate goal - a landmine-free world? This goal will take years to achieve (maybe even a whole lifetime), but it is useful to know what you are aiming for before you begin.

Short term goals:

• What do you want your project to accomplish? Do you want to raise money for mine clearance? Do you want to make your fellow students more aware of the dangers of landmines?
• Set more specific goals. How much money do you realistically expect to raise? How many people do you expect to attend your event?

Always make sure your goals are:

• Realistic. Do you have a well-defined, attainable set of goals?
• Measurable. How will you know if you have achieved your goal?
• Timebound. Can you meet your goal in the amount of time available for the project?
• Significant. Do your short-term goals contribute to achieving your long- term goals?

Finding Support

It can be difficult and frustrating to take action in isolation. The ICBL has member organizations in 90 countries. Click here to find out if ICBL members are active in your country. Ask member organizations if they have youth programs or projects you could work on. Ask if they have resources and other contacts in your area that might be useful.

Friends, classmates, family members, community and religious leaders, NGOs and educators may also support your projects. Contact individuals and organizations you think might be interested in getting involved with the issue.

Education is the key to getting support. Make people aware of the issue and let them know how they can get involved. Often interested youth and supporters can be recruited through other organizations, by holding small public events, class presentations or meetings.

Photo: John Rodsted

When seeking support from those around you have a clear idea of what you expect from them. Do you need someone to listen to your ideas? Do you need assistance with portions of your projects? Do you need access to information and technology (i.e. email)? Do you need the public support of a prominent social or religious leader?

Youth activists around the world are working on the landmines and other social justice issues. Getting in touch with them is an excellent way to share experiences and ideas and learn from each other. See the e-campaigning section of this booklet for more information about connecting with other youth.

Often the difficult part about taking action is choosing what action you will take out of the many exciting options available! It is important that you focus on one or two successful events rather than planning many that you will not be able to put into practice. Use the action ideas in this booklet or create your own. When deciding what action to take remember to set your goals and choose an appropriate action for your situation. It’s often best to start with a small action and work up to bigger actions.

Once you’ve chosen an action:

Event Time!

When it’s time to take action, make sure you’re prepared and remain flexible, calm and collected. Don’t be disappointed if things don’t go exactly as expected - they rarely do!

Following-up

It’s very important to evaluate actions during the implementation and follow-up stages since there are lessons to be learnt even from the most successful events! Learning from what went wrong and what went well will help you do things better the next time you organize an event. Ask yourself and your organizing group

• Did you meet your goals?
• What are the lessons to be learned?

Doing self-evaluation and written or oral group evaluations is an important way to learn how to turn challenges into future successes.

All events require follow-up.

• Thank speakers, other guests, and recognize volunteers. Whether it’s a thank you card, or some other token of appreciation, people like to feel wanted, and by recognizing their work they are more likely to participate or volunteer again.
• Remember to follow-up and thank sponsors.
• Promptly return borrowed or rented resources and equipment.
• Follow-up with people who express interest in getting involved. Contact them and let them know how they can become involved in future events.

Afterwards you’re ready to start the campaign cycle all over again: planning, implementing and evaluating!