Sarajevo hosts "Students for a Mine Free World" Conference
By Mirza Muminovic
From 25 to 29 October 2001, Sarajevo welcomed a group of highly motiveted students who came for the International Student Conference Against Landmines, subtitled 'Students For A Mine Free World'.
Medical student Mirza Muminovic, main organizer of the event says: 'The Conference had two main aims: to increase the awareness among students on the landmine issues and international humanitarian law; and to provide the attending students from all continents with knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for total ban of landmines worldwide.
Although attendance far was lower than expected (due to the current situation in the world), we had quite an interesting group. Participants came from Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo (FRY), Norway, Scotland (UK), Slovenia, Singapore and United States of America.
Very informative and interesting lectures were held by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about international humanitarian law (including Ottawa Treaty) and mine awareness. Federal Mine Action Center spoke about current landmines situation worldwide and more specifically, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Definitely the best part was a field trip organized by Norwegian People's Aid which included visits to several minefields, a small demonstration of demining procedures and use of dogs, their warehouse, etc. Besides that, participants were informed about the activities of ICBL and its incoming Youth Campaign kit.'
Mirza adds: 'We had a very interesting program and discussions about the landmines situation and ideas for the future steps. But most of all, I am glad that it was not just talking we did those days in Sarajevo. We collected a small amount of money and helped a 10-year-old boy Kemal Karic who lost his leg in a mortar explosion while his mother was killed. He was only two at the time. Therefore, besides our further activities on mine awareness and advocacy for ban of landmines, we will continue to support
this boy. Needless to say that he is not the only one but as the saying says 'He who helps one man, helps the whole world'.
Resolution from the Conference has been drafted and will be finalized in incoming weeks, as will the final report which will be available from the web. As for the future activities, there might be a follow-up conference again in Sarajevo next year, several presentations in student conferences, etc. The participants keeps in touch via mailing list of the Conference.ree World"
For more information about this event please contact Mirza Muminovic at mirzam@hotmail.com.
