Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Croatian Media In Mine-Risk Education, Josip Ĉerina

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In its work, the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) has found that various forms of media, from new Internet applications to newspapers and the radio, are uniquely situated to raise awareness among at-risk populations about the realities of landmines. To examine the media's effectiveness in mine-risk education, in 2008, CROMAC completed a study evaluating the Croatian media's coverage of landmine incidents and related news. With cooperation, CROMAC hopes better reporting about MRE programs will prevent mine accidents and create a more informed population.

Firearms Safety In Somaliland: From Mine Action To Community Safety, William Vest-Lillesøe

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Multiple border and civil wars have left Somaliland contaminated with explosive remnants of war and a surplus of small arms and light weapons. Today, unsecured firearms threaten daily life in rural villages, resulting in more deaths in Somaliland than from recent landmine incidents. Addressing the need for firearm security, Danish Demining Group provides training and awareness through its Community Safety program.

Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) is a nonprofit global humanitarian organization that helps create peace and prosperity by removing deadly remnants of war.

Priority-Setting In Mine Action: Getting More Value For The Investment, Albert Souza Mülli, Ted Paterson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article presents an overview of the main elements and key challenges involved in implementing sound national prioritization systems in mine-action programs. Since all mine/explosive remnants of war-affected countries are different, the article does not provide a standard blueprint; rather, it introduces the basic principles, components and considerations involved in prioritization. This will be valuable when implementing and designing priority-setting systems that cater to national and local contexts in each mine-/ERW-affected country.

Canadian Scientist Receives Grant To Continue Developing Innovative, Low-Cost Prosthetic, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Economically impoverished survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war not only face psychological and physiological trauma but also economic upheaval as they may not be able to continue previous professions, especially those involving physically taxing work such as farming, manufacturing or construction. Furthermore, a survivor of a mine-related accident "typically requires amputation, multiple operations and prolonged physical rehabilitation," all of which are extremely time-consuming and costly. The reality is harsh for many landmine and ERW survivors in the developing world who lack access to adequate health care and safe, effective and affordable prosthetic limbs. Thus, one of the most …

The Role Of Mine Action In Curbing The Small Arms Threat, Albert Souza Mülli, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article’s purpose is to share concrete examples of how mine-action organizations are playing an increasingly visible role in curbing the threat of small arms and armed violence more broadly, and to examine the reasons behind this trend.

In Remembrance: Kaido Keerdo Estonian Demining Expert Killed In Libya, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As efforts to clear landmines and other explosive remnants of war from Libya continue, international deminers risk their lives to eliminate the risks to people in the area. On 3 March 2012, a suspected Type 84 anti-tank mine, a Chinese-made cluster munition, killed civilian contractor Kaido Keerdo in Dafniya, 180 kilometers (112 miles) from the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Although Estonia's Government has not deployed any demining specialists to Libya, Estonian mine-expert Keerdo was working for DanChurchAid as a demining technician after having served six years with an explosive-ordnance disposal unit in the Estonian military.

Agnés Marcaillou Appointed Unmas Director, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In March 2012, the United Nations Mine Action Service appointed Agnès Marcaillou as Director. Marcaillou replaced Justin Brady, who served as Acting Director from 11 April 2011 to 19 March 2012. Brady became Head of Office for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Somalia.

Environmental Simulations For Eod Shaped Charges, Reto Liechti

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article describes the methodology and importance of environmental simulations and testing of shaped charges used for the disposal of explosive remnants of war and landmines. The author discusses a single sequence of tests conducted on a specific product as an example of the depth to which environmental factors should be investigated in order to address them before final production and manufacture.

Landmines Blow!, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines and cluster munitions kill or injure thousands of people each year, while also restricting access to water and agriculture necessary to maintain health, income and greater livelihood sustainability.

Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Golden West Humanitarian Foundation is a public charity established in 1997 to address operational limitations in mine and unexploded-ordnance-clearance efforts, and to protect the lives and livelihoods of individuals affected by landmines and UXO.

The Gichd Tool For Management Of Mechanical Demining Operations, Pehr Lodhammar, Erik De Brun

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In response to a need for an operational management tool for the mechanical demining community, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining developed a system called the Management Tool for Mechanical Demining Operations. This system increases the efficiency of mine-clearance operations by using a database that organizes and creates data reports. GICHD is working to improve the system including the addition of a GPS tool in 2012.

Handicap International, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Handicap International is an independent organization working with local partners to improve the lives of persons with disabilities who became disabled as a result of poverty or conflict.

Environmental Determinants Of Landmine Detection By Dogs: Findings From A Large-Scale Study In Afghanistan, Rebecca Sargisson, Ian Mclean, Jennifer Brown, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article's purpose is to examine the strengths and weaknesses of mine-detection dogs in different environments. The experiments employed a total of 39 dogs in Afghanistan between October 2002 and July 2003. The results are discussed here.

Afghan Experience Calls For Innovative Approach To Ddr, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Criminal activities, illegal arms trading and violence against civilians continue threatening Afghanistan's stability and security, and hinder the work of humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. As a result, potential investors are discouraged from making heavy capital investments, and NGOs cannot implement projects that could dramatically improve the socioeconomic condition of civilians. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration appear to be crucial steps for the success of post-conflict recovery in Afghanistan. Conducting DDR in the complex and turbulent Afghan environment has proven difficult, and this article explores past attempts at DDR in Afghanistan to draw lessons for future efforts.

Swiss Foundation For Mine Action, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Established in 1997, Fondation Suisse de Déminage (the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action) is a private, international mine-action organization located in Geneva, Switzerland that has implemented mine-action programs in 15 countries.

Small Arms/Light Weapons And Physical Security In Misrata, Libya, Adam Forbes

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

During November 2011 DanChurchAid performed a small arms/light weapons field assessment in Misrata, Libya. In this article, DCA outlines this assessment and explains why SA/LW risk education is a valuable and appropriate response to this situation.

International Committee Of The Red Cross, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Founded in 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross provides nondiscriminatory aid to victims of armed conflict.

National Committee For Demining And Rehabilitation, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Jordan has been contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants war from various armed conflicts during the second half of the 20th century: the division of Palestine in 1948, the Arab-Israeli conflict in the late 1960s, civil war in 1970 and the 1975 conflict with Syria.

Jordan Declared Minefield Free, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After nearly two decades of landmine removal, Jordan is the first country in the Middle East to declare itself “free of minefields.” In the aftermath of this event, nongovernmental organizations and mine-action groups are working with landmine survivors to change negative perceptions of people with disabilities.

How Dtra/Scc-Wmd Is Minimizing The Risk Of Catastrophic Accidents, Anne Marek

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction are taking measures to reduce the number of accidents caused by conventional weapons. More accidents are occurring with the proliferation of small arms and light weapons; DTRA wants to significantly reduce those accidents and the risks of their occurrence. In doing so, DTRA's SA/LW Program organizes and conducts seminars on the practices for physical security and stockpile management throughout the world. Its goal is to educate countries through seminars on proper management of stockpiles and to ultimately assuage the risk of those …

Unplanned Explosions At Munitions Sites: Concerns And Consequences, Eric Berman, Pilar Reina

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Over the past 25 years there have been reports of more than 400 unplanned explosions at munitions sites in almost half the world's countries. The UEMS rate is quickly increasing. Whereas the Small Arms Survey's UEMS Database shows 70 such incidents for the 10-year period between 1987 and 1996, more than this number was registered in the past two years alone. These events occur in large part because states store their munitions improperly. This article reviews the direct and indirect consequences of these explosions on peace and security. It also notes steps states are taking—or should take—to improve practice in …

Urban Land Release In Libya: Bac And Land Release In Built-Up Areas, Robert Keeley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article's aim is to present several land-release principles for use in the battle-area clearance of Libya's built-up areas, also called Urban Land Release. Based on the practical, empirical experience of DanChurchAid, it is not intended as a one-size-fits-all solution to BAC task planning, but it may be helpful in other locations when compared with local knowledge of the situation on the ground. It does not apply to landmine clearance. BAC is the traditional means of clearing unexploded ordnance in open areas. Libya is now contaminated with UXO and explosive remnants of war as a result of the uprising that …

Livelihoods Analysis Of Landmine/Erw Affected Communities In Herat Province Afghanistan, Gichd, Mine Action Coordination Centre For Afghanistan, Gender In Mine Action

Global CWD Repository

The Mine Action Coordination Centre for Afghanistan (MACCA) and the Department for Mine Clearance (DMC) are seeking to better understand the development outcomes of demining. They plan to undertake community-level surveys on a periodic basis to document these achievements and identify changes to policy and practice that could further enhance the contribution that the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA) makes towards Afghanistan’s development. The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), working within the framework of the MoU between the GICHD and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), assisted with the design and implementation of a pilot project that …

To Walk The Earth In Safety 11th Edition (Fy2011), Us Dos Pm/Wra

Global CWD Repository

In 2011, the United States continued to lead the international donor community in providing assistance for the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Department of State allocated $142 million in assistance to 42 countries, thereby helping communities recover, and countries become more secure. This 11th edition of our annual report, To Walk The Earth In Safety, details the programs and partnerships that make the United States’ Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program a lasting success.

Increased instability as a result of …

Transitioning Mine Action Programmes To National Ownership I Albania, Gichd

Global CWD Repository

In response to the limited guidance on the topic of transition to national ownership, the GICHD commissioned nine country case studies in 2011 to highlight different contexts, processes, challenges, good practices and lessons learnt from the process of transition to national ownership.

Based on lessons learnt and the good practices highlighted in the case studies, the GICHD, in collaboration with UNMAS, produced a Guide on Transitioning Mine Action Programmes to National Ownership.

Leveraging Emerging Technology To Visually Promote Library Resources, Carolyn Schubert

Libraries

Objectives: Use emerging technologies to create and deploy a virtual bookshelf of new books to increase circulation. Previous studies completed by the library have documented the increased circulation of materials upon creation of themed physical book displays.

Methods: Currently, visitors can setup an RSS feed for each month's new listing of title. However, circulation of materials remains low. Therefore, I will use virtual bookshelf technology with graphics, such as LibraryThing book covers, to promote new monographic materials for the health sciences and nursing departments. The virtual bookshelf will appear on the home page of the health sciences and …

Investigation Of Personal And Collective Mortality Threats In Individualistic And Collectivist Cultures: A Cross Cultural Study., Catherine Munns

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The purpose of this this study was to expand our knowledge of the ways in which people defend their worldviews under conditions of threat. Within the framework of Terror Management Theory (TMT), mortality salience (MS) in individualistic and collectivist cultures was investigated. Specifically, this study sought to directly examine MS effects as they relate to personal mortality and collective mortality. To accomplish this analysis, a 2 (Country: Russia and the U.S.) X 3 (Condition: Personal Mortality Salience, Collective Mortality Salience, and Control) design was employed. The current study consisted of undergraduate student participants from two cultures: U.S. and Russia. The …

Demonstrating Validity Evidence Of Meta-Assessment Scores Using Generalizability Theory, Chris D. Orem

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Meta-assessment, or the assessment of assessment, can provide meaningful information about the trustworthiness of an academic program’s assessment results (Bresciani, Gardner, & Hickmott, 2009; Palomba & Banta, 1999; Suskie, 2009). Many institutions conduct meta-assessments for their academic programs (Fulcher, Swain, & Orem, 2012), but no research exists to validate the uses of these processes’ results. This study developed the validity argument for the uses of a meta-assessment instrument at one mid-sized university in the mid-Atlantic. The meta-assessment instrument is a fourteen-element rubric that aligns with a general outcomes assessment model. Trained raters apply the rubric to annual assessment reports that …

The Development Of The Well-Being Interview, Craig Alexander Asselin

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Although psychologists and psychotherapists have long been concerned with the construct of well-being, currently there exist only self-report measures of the construct. This is potentially problematic because, as a number of researchers have pointed out, there are many different kinds of biases that can undermine the validity of data obtained from self-report measures. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive, user-friendly, clinician administered interview to assess well-being. In order to accomplish this, the Well-Being Interview (WBI) was developed, based on recent developments in positive psychology (e.g., Diener (2000), Ryff (1995) and Seligman (2011) and theoretical unification (Henriques, …