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Full-Text Articles in Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

In Remembrance: Zarema Sadulayeva, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

In Remembrance: Zarema Sadulayeva, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Zarema Sadulayeva, the head of the Chechen charity Let’s Save the Generation, and her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov, were found dead on Tuesday, 11 August 2009, in a suburb of Grozny, Chechnya. Sadulayeva and Dzhabailov, both 33 years old, were abducted from their offices on Monday, 10 August 2009, and were found the following day with multiple gunshot wounds. This is not the first time tragedy has struck the nongovernmental organization. In 2005, the former head of LSG, Murad Muradov, was found murdered. Sadulayeva began working for LSG following the murder of Muradov in 2005 and Dzhabailov joined the organization following …


Regional Cooperation:Mddc For Se Europe, Marija Trlin Nov 2009

Regional Cooperation:Mddc For Se Europe, Marija Trlin

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

As the refinement of mine-detection methods becomes more important, the Mine Detection Dog Center for South East Europe is answering the call, training dogs and handlers for effective detection. Working with animals is not easy, but the MDDC has been very successful in its operations. The organization focuses on regional cooperation, and has worked in areas such as Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iraq, where it has proved to be an effective asset to mine detection and clearance.


Research In Colombia On Explosives Detection By Rats, Luisa Fernando Mendez Pardo, Andres M. Perez-Acosta Nov 2009

Research In Colombia On Explosives Detection By Rats, Luisa Fernando Mendez Pardo, Andres M. Perez-Acosta

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The interdisciplinary research group INVESTUD is investigating the effectiveness of mine-detecting lab rats. In Africa, the APOPO program is well-known for using African giant pouched rats for mine detection, but INVESTUD hopes to build on and even surpass APOPO’s progress to advance Colombia’s mine-clearance efforts.


The Colombian Hd Workshop: Developing A Plan Of Action, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

The Colombian Hd Workshop: Developing A Plan Of Action, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Four decades of near-continuous conflict between non-state actors and government forces have left Colombia with an extensive, deadly legacy. Landmines, improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance litter the countryside, and casualty rates remain among the highest in the world. As conflict has subsided, Colombia has begun the challenging task of addressing and gathering information on problems caused by explosive remnants of war.


Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield Nov 2009

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Ian Mansfield

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining provides operational assistance to mine-action programs and operators, creates and disseminates knowledge, works to improve quality management and standards, and provides support to instruments of international law.


Unmas And Gender Mainstreaming In Mine Action, Aaron J. Buckley, Akiko Ikeda Nov 2009

Unmas And Gender Mainstreaming In Mine Action, Aaron J. Buckley, Akiko Ikeda

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In order to further the development of proper protection from and response to landmines and explosive remnants of war in conflict and post-conflict countries, the United Nations Mine Action Service and the International Mine Action Standards Review Board are taking the necessary steps to ensure gender perspectives become an integral part of national mine-action plans. This article briefly describes the evolution of gender mainstreaming in mine action and how UNMAS has addressed the issue.


Unsung Hero: Akech Athieu, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Unsung Hero: Akech Athieu, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Dedication to his job, competence, diligence and strength of character are just a few admirable qualities of Akech Athieu. His outstanding dedication to mine action in South Sudan has played a vital role in eliminating the region’s mines following decades of civil war.


Organization Of American States Coordination Activities, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Organization Of American States Coordination Activities, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Organization of American States has come a long way in its 61-year history, effectively organizing its member states to promote humanitarian demining among Western nations. After assisting Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Suriname in becoming “mine free,” the OAS is continuing to fund mine-action efforts, and is currently conducting projects in Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Peru.


Organization Profile: Humanitarian Peace Support School, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Organization Profile: Humanitarian Peace Support School, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Kenya has been a State Party to the Ottawa Convention since 2001, but the presence of the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Embakasi, on the outskirts of Nairobi, shows that the country’s commitment to promoting peace in East Africa goes beyond its obligations to this convention. Through a partnership with the United Kingdom, the ever-expanding HPSS (formerly the International Mine Action Training Centre), offers various courses in tactical peace-support operations, disaster management and response, and demining and disarmament.


Anti-Personnel Landmine Detection For Humanitarian Demining: The Current Situation And Future Direction For Japanese Research And Development, Book Review Nov 2009

Anti-Personnel Landmine Detection For Humanitarian Demining: The Current Situation And Future Direction For Japanese Research And Development, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The interest in developing technology for humanitarian demining has grown in Japan ever since the country became a signatory to the Ottawa Convention on 3 December 1997. In fact, from October 2002 to March 2008, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, which is under Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, funded a comprehensive program to jump-start research and technology development in the field of humanitarian demining. This program, titled “Research and Development of Sensing Technology, Access and Control Technology to Support Humanitarian Demining of Anti-personnel Mines,” consisted of 12 projects that were chosen out of 82 different …


Undp Involvement In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Undp Involvement In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United Nations Development Programme was created in 1956 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its influence stretches across the globe as it helps nations establish democratic governance, reduce poverty, carry out crisis prevention and recovery, solve environmental and energy issues, and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.


Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo Nov 2009

Aid Effectiveness In Insecure Areas, Sharmala Naidoo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The issue of aid effectiveness in conflict-affected and insecure areas is receiving increased attention within the development community. The Paris Declaration on Aid EffectivenessPrinciples for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations and the recent Accra Agenda for Action signal donor and recipient commitment to improve the effectiveness of aid. Conflict-affected countries often present aid-effectiveness challenges that require special attention—but what does this mean for countries affected by mines and explosive remnants of war? This article examines recent developments, highlighting some implications for mine action.


Unmas's Rapid-Response Exercise, Liban Holm, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Unmas's Rapid-Response Exercise, Liban Holm, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In a post-conflict country littered with mines and explosive remnants of war, the capability to deploy highly qualified mine-action staff rapidly is key to saving lives. The United Nations Mine Action Service recently spearheaded a new 10-day emergency training program based on lessons learned from previous rapid-response efforts in Kosovo, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This exercise emphasized the importance of interagency coordination and was designed to simulate a scenario in which these relationships would be called upon heavily in order to achieve success.


Ieds And Their Impact On Mine Action, Adrian King Nov 2009

Ieds And Their Impact On Mine Action, Adrian King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article addresses the increasingly prevalent threat of improvised explosive devices around the world. The author carefully defines this often unpredictable and unconventional “weapon of choice” and outlines the steps to eliminate the hazard it presents to global security. The article also discusses the role IEDs play within the scope of mine action, arguing their danger exceeds that of traditional mines and other unexploded ordnance.


Blast Testing Of Visors Used For Humanitarian Demining, Charlene Fawcett Nov 2009

Blast Testing Of Visors Used For Humanitarian Demining, Charlene Fawcett

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses experimental results from blast testing of Security Devices Ltd. polycarbonate visors used by humanitarian deminers. Visors used in the blast testing fell into one of three categories: new visors, manually scratched visors, and scratched and heat-gun-repaired visors. Results show that the visors in all three categories failed to meet the draft international standard for blast testing relevant at the time, that further research is required to establish pressure profiles for the standard charge size being tested, and that the proposed heat- treatment method does appear to degrade the blast resistance of the visor used in the test.


Change Is The Only Constant, Zlatko Gegic Nov 2009

Change Is The Only Constant, Zlatko Gegic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Because of the nature of mine-action organizations and programs, they are often placed in post-conflict areas where humanitarian work faces several obstacles. It is important to consider possible setbacks before embarking on demining in a post-conflict country.


A Broader Canvas: Jordan’S Erw Training Course, Mohammad Briekat, Olaf Juergensen Nov 2009

A Broader Canvas: Jordan’S Erw Training Course, Mohammad Briekat, Olaf Juergensen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Jordan is embracing the role of international humanitarian ambassador, particularly in the field of mine action. Jordan’s National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation has hosted several events for mine-affected countries and has recently completed its first explosive-remnants-of-war training course.The Kingdom of Jordan has a long record of participating in international humanitarian crisis-prevention and peacekeeping efforts. On a per-capita basis, Jordan is one of the largest contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions—with an emphasis on providing field hospitals and support for mine action. Jordan regularly dispatches relief supplies and heavy equipment when natural disasters strike around the world.


The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

The Halo Trust, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The HALO Trust has actively been working to reduce existing landmines across the globe. Guy Willoughby, the founder of HALO, has focused on creating fast responses to landmine problems. With help from increased donations, HALO will be able to make more countries mine-impact free within the coming years using a variety of techniques.


In Remembrance: Femisberto Novele, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

In Remembrance: Femisberto Novele, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Femisberto Novele, a member of Mine Action Centre in Cyprus, was killed by an anti-tank explosion on 28 October 2009. Novele, 48, was working in Yeri, only 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southeast of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. A native of Mozambique, Novele is the first death MACC has suffered during its five years of working on the island, although nine people, including civilians and deminers, were injured in 2008.


The Rapid Response To Operation Cast Lead, Elena Rice Nov 2009

The Rapid Response To Operation Cast Lead, Elena Rice

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

When the United Nations Mine Action Service was asked to assess the need for a mine-action presence in the Gaza Strip following Operation Cast Lead, a 23-day conflict involving the Israeli Defence Forces and Palestinian militias in 2008, it was thrust into one of the world’s most complicated humanitarian operating environments. This article provides a background for the mine-action program in Gaza, summarizing the key challenges and lessons learned during the first four months of operations in this complex environment.


Insight Into Gis Usage In Dangerous Area Survey, Penelope Caswell Nov 2009

Insight Into Gis Usage In Dangerous Area Survey, Penelope Caswell

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Western Sahara’s 16-year conflict with Morocco caused widespread contamination from landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Landmine Action is a U.K.-based nonprofit organization that has conducted survey, marking and clearance activities in Polisario-controlled areas of Western Sahara since 2006. Its main goals are to make these areas safer for the people of Western Sahara, to reduce risks and land denial caused by contamination, and to successfully carry out humanitarian demining.


Masg Update, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Masg Update, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The following article highlights the recent activities of the Mine Action Support Group, including updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF. It is excerpted from the United Nations’ newsletter covering the period from March to May 2009.


Survey And Land Release: Lessons From Recent Country Experience, Charles Downs Aug 2009

Survey And Land Release: Lessons From Recent Country Experience, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Suspected Hazardous Areas bring fear to local communities and hinder socioeconomic development, but in most cases the majority of the land contains no mines at all. Survey for land release may put an end to this fear, and it allows for an accelerated solution to the landmine problem.


Reflections From The Field: Lao Pdr, Surveys And Land Release, Stephen Pritchard Aug 2009

Reflections From The Field: Lao Pdr, Surveys And Land Release, Stephen Pritchard

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With an example and a discussion of Norwegian People’s Aid’s work with UXO Lao in Lao PDR, the author explains how choosing the right tasks and performing the tasks correctly can allow land to be released safely and confidently.


Land Cancellation And Release, Parvis Mavlonkulov Aug 2009

Land Cancellation And Release, Parvis Mavlonkulov

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Initial surveying and resurveying of areas contaminated with mines are imperative processes in the Land Cancellation and Release process in Tajikistan, where estimates indicate thousands of acres of Suspected Hazardous Areas. It is necessary to re-survey contaminated areas to ensure accurate results. Even with limited funds, the Tajikistan Mine Action Centre has made great efforts to release the land and promote mine-risk education, victim assistance, and capacity building.


Clearing Areas Right; Clearing The Right Areas, Håvard Bach Aug 2009

Clearing Areas Right; Clearing The Right Areas, Håvard Bach

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Although land release is a widely used term, its definition is not universally understood. There are various approaches to mine clearance with different survey steps taken before conditions of safe land release are met, and some techniques are more efficient than others. This article examines ways of improving land-release methodology to more effectively define and ultimately resolve the landmine problem.


A Conversation About Land Cancellation And Release With H. Murphey “Murf” Mccloy, John Stevens Aug 2009

A Conversation About Land Cancellation And Release With H. Murphey “Murf” Mccloy, John Stevens

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Land Cancellation and Release in mine action is looked at by many experts as the next logical step to the safe and time-effective return of mined areas. This interview examines the benefits of the land-release method and addresses its criticisms.


Land-Release Policies And Human-Security Complexities, Kjell Bjork Aug 2009

Land-Release Policies And Human-Security Complexities, Kjell Bjork

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article reviews the need for transparency and community participation in the land-release process. Participation is a fundamental part of post-war reconstruction, and the author argues that combining reconstruction with transparent participation will contribute to the quality, accountability and national ownership of the land-release process.


Could Local Agricultural Machines Make A Country ‘Impact Free’ By 2010?, Emanuela Cepolina, Matteo Zoppi Aug 2009

Could Local Agricultural Machines Make A Country ‘Impact Free’ By 2010?, Emanuela Cepolina, Matteo Zoppi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Many countries affected by landmines are also facing food crises, underscoring the necessity of cost-effective mine removal. Converting agricultural machines already available in many mine-affected countries for use on mine-action projects saves not only time but also money by speeding up the removal process and turning the land back into an agricultural resource.


Making Land Release In Mozambique Operational, Antonio Belchior, Charles Downs Aug 2009

Making Land Release In Mozambique Operational, Antonio Belchior, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mozambique’s national program for land release has cleared many Suspected Hazardous Areas in the past eight years, but the Instituto Nacional de Desminagem (National Demining Institute) aims to make the program even more effective. In March 2009, IND collaborated with the Survey Action Center to host a workshop at which land release terminology and concepts were discussed, hoping that improved survey methodologies would lead to a more efficient land-release process. The workshop resulted in the creation of national land-release draft elements and criteria that will help to develop practical land-release standards in the near future.