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History of the Youth Against War Treaty

Mine-Ban Treaty and People's Treaty
 

In December 1997, country representatives from around the world gathered in Ottawa, Canada to sign the Mine-Ban Treaty (otherwise known as the Ottawa Treaty). While officials met and signed the Treaty, Mines Action Canada (MAC), as part of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) launched what is called the People's Treaty. The People's Treaty can be signed by everyone and it outlines the desire of everyday people - like you and I - to work for a world completely free of landmines. This Treaty was first signed by Song Kosal,a landmines survivor from Cambodia, followed by Lindsay Willcox, a young volunteer from the Ottawa-area. The signing continued by numerous other participants, including landmine survivors and dignitaries before spreading throughout the world. This was only one of the events leading up to the Mine Ban Treaty at which Kosal's participation was significant. But, as you know, her work has not ended even though the Mine Ban Treaty has been signed. In fact, the young teenager has kept her commitment to the People's Treaty and become the ICBL's own Youth Ambassador.
 
 
 

Launching the Kids Against War Treaty 

In October 1998, Song Kosal was invited to participate in a conference in Australia dedicated to discussing the effects of war on children. While the seminar had both international and national experts speaking out against landmines and child soldiers, Kosal met with local school children to raise awareness about these horrific weapons and to relate her personal experience on the issue. Kosal also used this opportunity to speak out against landmines and to launch "Kids Against War", a treaty which encompasses four simple, but effective phrases which are acommitment to peace.

This campaign is an essential tool for the involvement of youth in speaking out against war, and more specifically,against landmines. We are the decision-makers of the future and we must help people live in mine-free countries everywhere.

December 3^rd, 1998: First Anniversary of the MB Treaty

Youth Against War Treaty is launched in Canada

On December 3^rd, 1998, as part of the 1^st year anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty, the Youth Against War campaign was launched in Canada. The campaign was given a new title, in order to encompass youth of a broader age-range. This desire to "Join Song Kosal" was launched simultaneously in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Montréal and Saint John, NB. In Ottawa, Lindsay Willcox and her brother Jordan were the first to sign the Youth Against War Treaty, as a reaffirmation of their commitment to a mine-free world. The launch was part of a larger event held to celebrate the anniversary, but also to remind people that the Mine-Ban Treaty is only a piece of paper until there are no landmines left in the world.

Youth Against War around the world
 

Following the launch of the Youth AgainstWar Treaty in Ottawa, campaigns around the world launched their own versions of the Treaty. In Italy, the Treaty was again renamed to: "Giovani per la pace" (Youth for Peace) and launched; in Switzerland, it was launched on March 1^st 1999, celebrating the Entry-into-Force of the Mine-Ban Treaty. In Brazil, youth have launched the treaty and continue to work for peace - their efforts were rewarded when Brazil ratified the Treaty. World Vison Australia has also fully embraced the YAW Treaty by promoting the Treaty and the website in their own newsletter and website.
 

Hague Appeal for Peace

In May 1999, Song Kosal and Mines Action Canada organized a workshop for the youth component of the Hague Appeal for Peace (HAP), which took place in the Hague,Netherlands. Well over 5,000 people were at the HAP from around the world, and from various walks of life to speak out for peace. The workshop "Landmines as a fallout of war- Youth Action for Peace" was successful in attracting a variety of youth to hear about the Youth Against War Treaty and to ask Song Kosal diverse questions. This was yet another opportunity to expose youth to the issue of landmines as well as to spread the Treaty.
 

Promoting the Youth Against War Treaty to the U.S.A.

On March 1^st, 2000, Mines Action Canada re-launched the Youth Against War treaty with a new focus and purpose. The plan of action is to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures to the Youth Treaty and to present all of these signatures to the next President of the United States. The objective of this initiative is to raise awareness about the insidious nature of landmines internationally, to unite youth from around the world in a common peacebuilding initiative and to encourage the United States to sign the 1997 Mine Ban treaty. The signatures will be presented on March 1^st, 2001 to commemorate the second anniversary of the entry-into-force of the Mine Ban Treaty.

West African Conference on Children Affected By War

In April, 2000, the Youth Ambassador for Mines Action Canada traveled to Accra, Ghana to participate in the West African Conference on Children Affected By War. One of the youth participants to this conference, Sarany Diatta, is a young landmine victim from Senegal. Sarany was particularly interested in the Youth Against War campaign and took it upon himself to begin collecting signatures from youth in his home region of the Casemance. He is now the Senegal Youth Ambassador for the ICBL. The other youth who participated in the conference are also working to collect signatures from across West Africa. The youth against war campaign has already helped bring together youth organizations in West Africa and helped raise substantial awareness about the anti-landmine campaign in this region of the world.

Song Kosal

Song Kosal is now 17 years old,the fourth of eight children from a farming family living in the Thai-Cambodia border town of Boval. Kosal was six years old and in the rice fields with her mother when she had her accident. Although there is now peace in Cambodia,many young people like Kosal grew up surrounded by the fighting in Cambodia, and despite the silence of guns today, the legacy of landmines remains.

Many ask why Kosal walks leaning on a single crutch rather than with a prosthetic leg. Kosal has tried using a prosthetic twice, but the discomfort is unbearable, due to the extent to which her limb was amputated. She has been helped tremendously by the Jesuit Refugee Services in Cambodia,who work with landmine survivors and refugees by offering skills and training and social re-integration programs.
 

Despite the obstacles which Kosal has faced,she is often seen flashing a beautiful smile. Her courage and her desire to eradicate these horrific weapons should be an inspiration to all who hear her story. Without any doubt, Kosal touches the hearts and minds of all who have met her and to the thousands who have heard of her.
 

For Kosal and others who have suffered and survived the legacy of war - landmines - sign the Treaty.