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

Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills Apr 2008

Getting A Piece Of The Pie: Lebanese Women Become Deminers, Marie Mills

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency was one of the first organizations to enter Lebanon after the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel. The enormous amount of unexploded ordnance littering southern Lebanon led to a need for a more sustainable program than the initial small operation provided. The more expansive program sought deminers and, to the surprise of the SRSA, many women showed interest. Several were hired and trained, and proved themselves to be able workers in the field. The success of the program in Lebanon has had some wondering why it has taken so long for women in the Middle East …


Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour Apr 2008

Landmines/Explosive Remnants Of War And The War On Terrorism In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena), Ayman Sorour

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article looks at the relationship between the existing landmine and explosive remnants of war problem in the Middle East and North Africa, and terrorist activities in the area by explaining the scope of the mine/ERW problem in the region; the huge availability of explosives for use in illegal activities, particularly terrorism; and the case of Algeria and Egypt being affected by recent terrorist acts.


Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson Apr 2008

Global Environmental Demining Issues, Ian Mclean, Rebecca Sargisson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The environmental impact of any human action cannot be underestimated—even humanitarian demining—given the global repercussions in this era of explosive growth. The authors discuss the consequences of thoughtless action and provide valuable context concerning the vast extent to which human beings impact the environment.


Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian Apr 2008

Mine Action And The Environment, Faiz Paktian

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While global warming is a hot environmental topic these days and scientists agree that unless we act soon to significantly reduce global pollution, average temperatures will continue to rise, causing heat waves, rising sea levels, droughts and wildfires. It is also important to look at mine-action procedures and activities to ensure our industry is in compliance with the world's requirements on environment protection. There is perhaps a need, more than ever before, to remind national mine-action authorities and demining organisations of their responsibility to ensure that demining operations not only be carried out in a safe, effective and efficient manner, …


Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Mag (Mines Advisory Group), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

MAG, also known as the Mines Advisory Group, whose motto is "saves lives, builds futures," takes a proactive role in meeting the needs of individuals in mine-affected countries through peacebuilding, community liaison and mine-risk education. With operations located in Angola, Cambodia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam, MAG has learned to incorporate old and new techniques, resulting in prosperous futures for many.


A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn Apr 2008

A Harvest Of Hope: Roots Of Peace Celebrates 10 Years, Heidi Kuhn

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Roots of Peace focuses on mined farming areas and specializes in rebuilding these areas for farmers. To aid this process, the organization promotes the growing of sustainable and high-value crops. This article describes some of the organization's successful efforts in Afghanistan and argues the effectiveness of its approach for future mine-action efforts.


Iraq, Country Profile Apr 2008

Iraq, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 2003, the government of Iraq has taken action against mines and unexploded ordnance. On 15 August 2007, Iraq acceded to the Ottawa Convention becoming the 155th State Party. The rising levels of violence in the region, however, have made focusing on mine action difficult for the Iraqi government—or anyone, for that matter. The decrease in security has taken focus, time and energy from ridding the country of its extensive problems with landmines and other explosive remnants of war.


The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic Apr 2008

The Va Information System In Bih, Zoran Grujic

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Because of the conflict there in the 1990s, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been plagued by landmines, unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and all of the problems associated with them. With so many victims, the need for an organized system to help these people was imperative. In this article, the author describes how the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center and other organisations helped establish an information system in BiH to help inform landmine victims about what they can do to help themselves and their families.


As Mines Grow Old, Colin King Apr 2008

As Mines Grow Old, Colin King

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In most cases, the mines being cleared around the world were emplaced decades ago; yet the techniques and equipment being used during clearance treat them as though they were new. The author looks briefly at the effects of ageing on mines and considers possible implications.


Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack Apr 2008

Minesweeper: Not Just A Game Anymore, Andres Mack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Cornell MineSweeper is a nonprofit student organization founded in 2006 by Cornell University engineering student Vikas Reddy that integrates robotics technology and humanitarian initiatives. The team, comprised of over 40 highly dedicated Cornell students, is designing practical robotic vehicles—still in the concept stage—to assist with demining efforts worldwide.


Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli Apr 2008

Kurdish Landmine Plight Across And Along The Borders, Armin Köhli

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the intricate global and internal conflicts that plague the Kurdish region with emphasis on the profound impact these conflicts have on mine action in this area of the Middle East.


Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Unsung Hero: Howard "Jim" Yoder, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since getting involved in mine action six years ago, Jim Yoder has contributed his dedication and long hours in the field to help reap humanitarian benefits for many people in Thailand, Cambodia and now the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Yoder is an inspiration to his peers and the many others he has reached through his work.


Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi Apr 2008

Mine-Clearance Activities And Ansa Participation: An Analysis, Sadi Caysi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Effective mine action requires numerous actors to peacefully collaborate: governmental and nongovernmental, international and local. Armed non-state actors (ANSA) that operate beyond central control, such as rebel opposition groups and paramilitary organizations, and private defense companies can often provide necessary contributions to mine action. Understanding ANSAs allows humanitarian organizations to communicate, cooperate and avoid conflict.


Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron Apr 2008

Clearing The Way For A More Productive Future, Sophia Aron

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For many communities, the land is their livelihood; however, the threat of landmines has affected agricultural communities all over the world. In this article, the author describes how, in Yemen, the United Nations Development Programme and other organizations are using techniques that fully preserve the environment and still allow for safe, successful demining.


Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal Apr 2008

Buy A Schonstedt, Save A Life, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Schonstedt Instrument Company takes an active role in promoting social responsibility by donating one magnetic locator to the United Nations Mine Action Team for every Tracemaster II or XTpc commercial cable/utilities locator Schonstedt sells. In creating and implementing this initiative, the company helps countries lacking extensive resources increase their demining capabilities.


Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs Apr 2008

Undp Management Training Programme For National Mine Action Managers, Charles Downs

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The current training programmes for National Mine Action Managers are examined to determine the advantages of the courses as well as areas in which the programmes can be improved.


Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar Apr 2008

Environmental Damages From Minefields, Raafat Misak, S. Omar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Desert Storm brought Iraqi Forces to Kuwait and, with them, mines. Aerial diagrams illustrate the areas of Kuwait still littered with landmines. Landmines are causing significant short- and long-term damage to the environment, resulting in soil erosion, destruction of vegetation and topsoil, and negatively impacting wildlife.


Demichain: A New Concept Of Mechanical Demining, Rene Joeckle Apr 2008

Demichain: A New Concept Of Mechanical Demining, Rene Joeckle

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

DEMICHAIN is a new concept for mechanical demining, in which a horizontal web of heavy chains hung several metres above a surface to be cleared is dropped in a free fall and delivers a mechanical impulse over the whole surface hit by the chains. A pressure wave expands in the soil and is expected to trigger the active landmines. A description of the device is given, as well as comparisons to other demining devices. The author offers that DEMICHAIN provides numerous advantages to current mechanical-demining techniques, though it requires further testing before it can be used in real-life situations.


Gender In Mine Action: The Tajikistan Experience, Shahrinisso Davlyatova Mar 2008

Gender In Mine Action: The Tajikistan Experience, Shahrinisso Davlyatova

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article discusses the involvement of Tajik women in educating those in their communities about the threats of landmines and unexploded ordnance. It also highlights why there is an increased danger from landmines and unexploded ordnance for women and children.


Humanitarian Impact Evaluation: Battlefield Area Clearance In South Lebanon, Aneeza Pasha Mar 2008

Humanitarian Impact Evaluation: Battlefield Area Clearance In South Lebanon, Aneeza Pasha

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Handicap International sent battlefield-area clearance teams to South Lebanon to help clear the land of unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war. This article is a report of the impact on the civilian population due to the conflict and the impact of the cleanup efforts by HI. It aims to provide narrative and statistical data to demonstrate the humanitarian impact of Handicap International’s BAC efforts in South Lebanon from December 2006 to December 2007.


Gender Issue: An Example From Lao Pdr, Jo Durham Mar 2008

Gender Issue: An Example From Lao Pdr, Jo Durham

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article begins with a brief overview of the literature that helped frame a gender assessment MAG undertook and put gender into perspective within the broader development discourse, helping to identify where there are important linkages between gender and mine action. Following this summary, which highlights the centrality of gender in poverty-eradication efforts, an overview of the assessment (including methods and key findings) is provided


Will Oslo Be The Next Ottawa? The Cluster-Munitions Debate, Jeff Abramson Mar 2008

Will Oslo Be The Next Ottawa? The Cluster-Munitions Debate, Jeff Abramson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

More than a decade has passed since the monumental Ottawa Mine Ban Convention was opened for signature in December 1997. Now, with the adoption of the text of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in May 2008, the global community is closer than ever to an international agreement prohibiting the use of cluster munitions. A review of the key issues underpinning the debate on cluster munitions follows.


Connecting The Dots: The Ottawa Convention And The Ccm, Ken Rutherford, Nerina Čevra, Tracey Begley Mar 2008

Connecting The Dots: The Ottawa Convention And The Ccm, Ken Rutherford, Nerina Čevra, Tracey Begley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions have refined the victim-assistance concepts found in the Ottawa Convention by defining victim assistance and clarifying VA obligations in the CCM. As the authors note, States Parties recognize that change can only be created through the people who implement it.


Gis Technology Helps Rid Southeast Asia Of Landmines And Uxo, Carla Wheeler Mar 2008

Gis Technology Helps Rid Southeast Asia Of Landmines And Uxo, Carla Wheeler

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Southeast Asia remains one of the most heavily mined regions in the world. Cambodia, which has a 2009 deadline for the Ottawa Convention, has requested a deadline extension because it will be impossible to meet its clearance obligations by then. The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority is being aided by software from ESRI, which is used to create databases, maps and charts to record the location of mines and unexploded ordnance. This information is used to more effectively locate and demine contaminated areas. As Cambodia’s population increases, it is becoming more critical to clear the land of mines.


Gender In Community Consultations, Hilde Vandeskog Wallacher Mar 2008

Gender In Community Consultations, Hilde Vandeskog Wallacher

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmine removal within Cambodia has been an important, unsolved problem for many years. This article focuses on mine-action strategies for gender mainstreaming in the community consultations carried out in rural, mine-affected areas in Cambodia.


Reaching The Right People: Gender And Mine Action, Melissa Sabatier, Reuben Mccarthy Mar 2008

Reaching The Right People: Gender And Mine Action, Melissa Sabatier, Reuben Mccarthy

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Statistics suggest that males suffer anywhere between 75 and 95 percentof all mine- and unexploded ordnance-related accidents; however, mines and UXO also have a negative effect on community development, which directly affects female populations. As a result, governmental and nongovernmental organizations are increasing the involvement of women in mine-clearance practices as well as mine-risk education programs. More specifically, countries are beginning to understand the value and importance of “gender mainstreaming” in mine-action processes.


Gendered Structures Of Mine Action, Marie Nilsson, Virginie Rozes Mar 2008

Gendered Structures Of Mine Action, Marie Nilsson, Virginie Rozes

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

To examine the relevance of gender in the mine-action sector, the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines conducted a global survey and in-depth interviews. The author presents the findings of this research and its implications.


Weapon Contamination Manual: Reducing The Impact Of Explosive Remnants Of War And Landmines Through Field Activities, Book Review Mar 2008

Weapon Contamination Manual: Reducing The Impact Of Explosive Remnants Of War And Landmines Through Field Activities, Book Review

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The International Committee of the Red Cross—which has had an important role in the global effort to eradicate and ease the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war—released its Weapon Contamination Manual: Reducing the Impact of Explosive Remnants of War and Landmines Through Field Activities in August 2007. It consists of three parts, or “books,” and is designed to serve as the institutional reference for ICRC field operations, as well as provide guidance to others working in an environment impacted by the presence of landmines and ERW.


Mechanical Demining: From 1942 To The Present, Pehr Lodhammar Mar 2008

Mechanical Demining: From 1942 To The Present, Pehr Lodhammar

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Although demining machines have been in existence since 1942, they were not used in the field of mine action until about the early 1990s. Demining machines were initially only used by the military. With the growing number of casualties stemming from landmines, especially among civilians, it became necessary to employ machines for humanitarian purposes. From the first demining machine constructed in early 1942 to the present, tremendous improvements have been made.


Unmas/Gichd Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey Mar 2008

Unmas/Gichd Technology Workshop, Nicole Neitzey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

This article highlights the United Nations Mine Action Service/Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining Technology Workshop held in September 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.