Media Advisory
Advocacy Tools Launched for Young Anti-Landmine Campaigners
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC, USA, 3 December 2001- The 1997 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) launched two new youth advocacy tools today – the Youth Campaign Kit and Youth Website, available at http://www.icbl.org/youth . The new resources are designed to boost the capacity of young campaigners taking action for a mine-free world.
The launch coincides with the fourth anniversary of the opening for signature of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which prohibits all use, production, stockpiling and trade of antipersonnel mines and has been ratified by 122 nations and signed by another 20.
The Youth Campaign Kit, a series of six booklets in English and Spanish, is a practical guide for effective campaigning and includes information about:
· The global landmines situation and movement to eradicate landmines;
· Landmines-related resources;
· How to take action;
· How to deliver a landmines presentation;
· Methods of publicizing events; and,
· Getting involved in the Youth Against War campaign.
The Youth Website includes:
· News about youth-related events;
· Information about the landmines issue and available resources;
· Information about taking action;
· Online Youth Against War Treaty;
· Calendar of events and a mailing list.
From a mine awareness radio show in Georgia to collecting petition signatures in the United States, youth around the world are actively campaigning against landmines. Eighteen-year-old Cambodian landmine survivor and ICBL Youth Ambassador Song Kosal, a leader in this youth movement, sums up the attitude of many young campaigners: “Our generation wants peace! We want our children to be able to run and play freely in the beautiful fields of our planet. We want people living in mine-affected communities to have enough food to eat; a house that shelters them from the rain, schools and healthcare for their children and no more mines!”
Up to one third of landmine victims in some countries are children. Young people around the world, whether landmine survivors or concerned citizens, have been taking action to ensure that no more children fall prey to these insidious weapons.
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Contact media@icbl.org or:
· Sue Wixley, ICBL Advocacy and Communications Officer, +44 20 7820 9577
· Jackie Hansen, ICBL Youth Coordinator, +1 202 547 2667
