Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exchange For Peace, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A project organized by the office of the National Councilor Roland Wiederkehr (Member of the Swiss Parliament), Exchange for Peace brings young people from all over the world together to discuss and share their experiences and hopes for a brighter future. The theme of this year’s event was landmines and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the field of mine action.

The Americas: Regional Mine Action Seminar In Peru, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During a two-day conference in Lima, Peru, participants reaffirmed their collective commitment and dedication to becoming a hemisphere free of AP mines.

Cha Improves Mine Survivors’ Quality Of Life, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Cambodian Handicraft Association (CHA) for the Landmine and Polio Disabled is a safe-haven for Cambodia’s in-need mine victims. The organization works with the survivors and their communities to give the disabled a chance to rebuild their lives.

The Cost Capture Issue In Humanitarian Mine Action, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The necessity of cost capture is often overlooked in the mine action community. A truly successful cost assessment must include clear and effective cost-capture mechanisms and even a standard structure used throughout different mine action programs.

Hiking In Africa: Mines And Mountains, Trekking Through Angola, Ginge Fullen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Highest Challenge Project is an ongoing expedition to climb the highest mountain in as many of the 193 countries of the world as possible. Already holding the world record for being the first person to climb the highest mountain in every country in Europe (47 countries) and 51 out of the 53 countries in Africa, Ginge Fullen also holds the record for scaling the highest mountain in more countries than anyone else to date, presently 118 countries. The following article from Fullen describes his difficulties in scaling Serra Moco, the highest mountain in Angola, because of landmines.

Lessons-Learned: A Learning Process, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During the summer of 2003, we were tasked with soliciting information regarding experience and lessons learned from the mine action community while interning for the Mine Action Information Center (MAIC). We were highly enthusiastic throughout our project while learning the many rigors of data collection and information sharing.

The Office Of Weapons Removal And Abatement: Broadening Mine Action To Include Other Conventional Threats, Hayden Roberts

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The U.S. government has been a pioneer and dedicated supporter of humanitarian mine action since the first mine clearance programs began taking shape in Afghanistan in 1988. Through the investigation of new detection and clearance technologies, the development of indigenous mine action capacities and the formation of a wide array of public-private partnerships, the United States has demonstrated that its response to the persistent landmine problem remains a high priority. Impressive as the combined accomplishments of the U.S. government, the private sector, and other donor governments have been, they still, however, do not provide a full response to the enormous …

Vegetation Clearance Equipment: Huge Potential In Productivity Improvement, Nathan Kunz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Upon development of its D-1 vegetation clearance vehicle, DIGGER DTR (Demining Technologies) has successfully responded to many of the demands of the demining community. The second generation, the D-2, will feature several new upgrades and is expected to appear on the market by 2005.

Can Honey Bees Assist In Area Reduction And Landmine Detection?, Jerry Bromenshenk, Colin Henderson, Robert Seccomb, Steven Rice, Robert Etter, Susan Bender, Phillip Rodacy, Joseph Shaw, Nathan Seldomridge, Lee Spangler, James Wilson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Honey bees have recently received considerable attention from the popular press as an innovative method to detect a variety of explosives, landmines and UXO. Many of these reports are inaccurate and may encourage individuals and demining groups to “sell” a service that they poorly understand or lack the experience to properly apply. As the developers of this technology, we offer the following summary about the current status of this alternative for landmine detection, including its strengths and limitations.

Mechanical Application In Demining: Modernising Clearance Methods, Alexander Griffiths, Leonard Kaminsky

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Even as mechanical mine clearance systems are increasingly employed throughout the world, the full potential of these machines remains to be seen. Further study of the issue has prompted the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) to release the “Study of Mechanical Application in Mine Action,” due in December 2003.

Rest In Bosnia: A Pilot Test Of Detection Capability, Rune Fjellanger, Ian Mclean, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following report discusses the results of a pilot study designed to investigate the possibility that Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST) technology can be used for area reduction in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Uxb International Inc. Offers Technological Capabilities For Global Mine Action, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article highlights the successes of UXB International Inc. in mine action through exploring its technological advances.

Bridging The Gap Between Users And Developers, Jennette Townsend

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Has the communication between demining technology users and developers improved over the last 10 years? Most agree that while there have been improvements, the need for further improvement overshadows the positive developments.

Priority Setting For Mine Action, J.J. Van Der Merwe

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Due to a lack of resources to enable all mine-affected communities to be cleared, countries must prioritize mine action activities. The following article addresses prioritization and suggests a new model to help improve the process.

Masg Update, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG). Included are updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Bits And Bytes From Bogota, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In mid-November, the U.S. State Department and the Organization of American States (OAS) co-sponsored a regional meeting hosted by the government of Colombia dealing with mine action in Latin America. The goal of the meeting was to identify items of consensus and concern, which would help define a clearer way ahead for obtaining and managing casualty data and for carrying out more effective victim assistance programs. Over 130 participants from 12 nations took part in spirited discussions and focused work groups that attempted to frame key data collection and victim assistance issues. The ideas that surfaced there and the suggested …

Mine Problem In The Region Of Southeastern Europe: The Itf And Seemacc, Damir Gorseta, Eva Veeble, Sabina Beber

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

SE Europe is one of the most mine-affected regions in the world. This article examines the extent of the mine and UXO problem in each of the mine-affected countries in SE Europe, as well as discusses the steps being taken by various organizations in order to solve the mine-related problems in the region.

Uidma In Bosnia And Herzegovina, With Possibilities For Wider Use, Almir Budalica

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) recognized the need for and developed a new model of the Unique Identifier of Mine Action (UIDMA). The author outlines the new model and its benefits in identifying aspects of mine action.

Hierarchic Approach To Mine Action In Croatia, Nenad Mladineo, Snjezana Knezic, Damir Gorseta

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Republic of Croatia is one of the 10 most mine-contaminated countries in the world. There are almost 750,000 mines on 1,630 sq km of mine-suspected areas. About 170 sq km are actual minefields, while the rest of the area is contaminated with individual explosive ordnance. Mine-affected areas that have not been used for years, pose a huge economic problem and obstruct infrastructure development, reconstruction, and return of displaced persons to their normal lives. They also pose a significant safety problem. In particular, any activities carried out in mine-contaminated areas significantly threaten human lives and material assets. It is estimated …

From Kosovo To Afghanistan, Cluster Bombs Again, Fernando Termentini

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cluster bombs have created problems in several countries, as they are one of the many unexploded hazards often left behind after a conflict. This article gives an overview of the threat and shows how the organization Intersos has been working to help clear up the problem.

True Stories From Mine Victims In Northern Albania, Aurora Bushati

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mine and Weapon Victims Association (MVA) has worked to keep the population of 39 border villages in northern Albania informed about mine threats. MVA has also helped victims rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. Izet Ademi and Lumturi Muhadri are among those working successfully with the MVA.

The U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program In Iraq, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States government has developed a wide-ranging plan to build an indigenous mine action capability within Iraq. The plan will help rid Iraq of the threat of landmines and UXO so that the country can focus on rebuilding its society.

The Progress Of Mozambique’S Accelerated Demining Programme, Florencio Chongo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In order to help make Mozambique a safer place, the Accelerated Demining Program (ADP) has expanded its capabilities with the addition of more mine detection dogs (MDDs) and a new mechanical clearance device.

From Puppets To Empowerment: The Bosnia And Herzegovina Genesis Project, Dijana Pejic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Genesis Project is a local, non-governmental, non-profit, humanitarian organization established in June 1996 in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The main project objectives are the following:

• Interactive education of children through live puppet show performances representing diverse educational topics (mine risk education (MRE), children’s rights, prevention of all sorts of addictions, etc.).

• Education of children and youth about healthy lifestyles.

• Community strengthening with the purpose of informing the public on freedom of speech, democracy and fundamental human rights.

• Assistance to war-traumatized children and their families.

• Development and support through various coexistence initiatives throughout BiH.

• Building of …

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U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Programs In The Balkans And Caucasus, Whitney Tolliver

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since the establishment of the Republic of Slovenia’s International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) in 1998, the United States has provided more than $52 million (U.S.) in humanitarian demining assistance to the countries in southeast Europe. This includes the recent expansion of funding assistance to countries in the Caucasus region. Together, the United States, the ITF, the mine-affected countries in the region and an impressive number of donors have demonstrated the success of regional cooperation.

Bosnia And Herzegovina Mine Problem: Priority Setting, Darvin Lisica

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With so many tasks to complete and limited resources with which to complete them, the importance of priority setting to mine action cannot be overstated. The author describes how priority setting relates to mine action in Bosnia and Herzegovina and suggests how to go about setting such priorities.

Demining In Bihac With 5 Korpusa Of The Bosnian Army, Peter Hindy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the end to years of brutal fighting in Bosnia, landmines left behind from the war still threaten the safety of local populations. The following article gives a firsthand account of a former Canadian soldier’s demining experience in Bosnia alongside the Bosnian army.

Masg In The Balkans, Klaus-Peter Koschny

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In order for members of the Mine Action Support Group (MASG) to fully understand mine action programs and to study the implementation of mine action at the national level, several MASG representatives visited and met with government and UN representatives in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This article describes the discoveries and conclusions they made on their trip.

Mine Action In Bosnia’S Special District: A Case Study, Matthew Bolton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Brčko Municipality, located in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), was a fierce battleground during the war from 1992 to 1995. Because of the Brčko district’s unique, strategic and symbolic significance to all sides of the conflict, it was the only issue left unresolved by the Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in December 1995, which had divided the country into two decentralized semi-autonomous “entities”: the Republika Srpska (populated mostly by Serbs) and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (populated mostly by Bosniaks and Croats).

Ddg Initiates Mre In Ingushetia And Chechnya, Michaëla Bock Pedersen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to educate internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mine Risk Education (MRE) through public institutions, food distribution points, traffic junctions, services at mosques and school programs.