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

Micro-Projects Help Socioeconomic Recovery Of Cleared Areas, Carlos Orozco Jul 2010

Micro-Projects Help Socioeconomic Recovery Of Cleared Areas, Carlos Orozco

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Organization of American States’ recent experiences in Nicaragua and Colombia have shown that, in addition to large projects, micro-projects—such as building farms or gardens—are a necessary step in the rehabilitation of cleared lands. Because of the extensive amount of vulnerable area in these mine-affected countries, the continual support of micro-projects not only facilitates development activities, but also lays the groundwork for reaching the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.


Fellows Gain Experience At U.S. Department Of State, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

Fellows Gain Experience At U.S. Department Of State, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship of Humanitarian Demining has been awarded to promising students and recent graduates of James Madison University for more than 10 years. This fellowship with the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA) has provided Fellows with a stepping stone to careers in mine action and continues to leave a lasting impact on its participants.


Mine Action Support Group Updates, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

Mine Action Support Group Updates, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Mine Action Support Group works to share information and increase coordination by the world’s foremost donor states and the United Nations for humanitarian mine action Included are updates on the United Nations Mine Action Service, United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF from the latest newsletter, which covers 19 May to 15 September 2009.The next newsletter is expected to be published in September 2010.


Dtra Pssm Global Efforts To Reduce Stockpile Threats, John Schmitt Jul 2010

Dtra Pssm Global Efforts To Reduce Stockpile Threats, John Schmitt

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

While international efforts to reduce the amount of military-grade weapons among civilian populations are increasing, the storage, security and management of the resulting weapon stockpiles present a new set of challenges and dangers. The United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency has a lead role within the U.S. government in making sure the solution to one problem does not create another.


A Mine-Free Central America: How Can We Improve On Success?, Carl Case Jul 2010

A Mine-Free Central America: How Can We Improve On Success?, Carl Case

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since 1991, the Organization of American States has worked to eliminate the threat of anti-personnel landmines in the Americas. In 2010, the OAS Mine Action Program marked a major milestone toward that goal as Nicaragua completed its national demining plan to establish a once war-torn Central America as a mine-safe region. Notwithstanding the success of these efforts, it is important to understand what could have been done better to achieve mine-clearance goals more efficiently and effectively and how these lessons might be applied to other programs.


United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

United Nations Office For Disarmament Affairs, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is one of 14 U.N. bodies or programs that carries out mine action work. UNODA’s work focuses on advising the U.N. Secretary-General’s efforts to fulfill obligations to the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. This article outlines UNODA’s goals, partnerships and recent progress with disarmament efforts, particularly concerning the nonproliferation of SA/LW around the world.


The Humpty Dumpty Institute: Sri Lanka, Savrithi Rodrigo Jul 2010

The Humpty Dumpty Institute: Sri Lanka, Savrithi Rodrigo

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With the remnants of more than 25 years of war embedded in the country, Sri Lanka was in desperate need of clearance in 2006. A partnership among The Humpty Dumpty Institute, The HALO Trust and Land O’Lakes International Development has bettered the lives of the Sri Lankan people by clearing the land of explosive remnants of war and providing innovative techniques for milk production, while also allowing many to return to their homes after years of displacement.


Endnotes, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

Endnotes, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Endnotes


Non-State Actors And Mine Action: Complications And Solutions, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

Non-State Actors And Mine Action: Complications And Solutions, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The role of non-state actors in mine action is an important and complicated issue to consider. While the United Nations does not recognize NSAs as official representatives of countries or governments, NSAs can still play an active part in reducing landmine and weapons proliferation around the globe. This article discusses the complications surrounding NSAs and the efforts being taken to include them in mine-action discussions.


Prioritization And Partnership In Lao Pdr, Sean Sutton Jul 2010

Prioritization And Partnership In Lao Pdr, Sean Sutton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosive remnants of war continue to be a problem in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, affecting children and schools in many communities. With funding provided by the Humpty Dumpty Institute, Mines Advisory Group and International Relief and Development have collaborated to combat the problem of unexploded ordnance and improve affected communities. This article focuses on UXO clearance and its impact in Khammouane province.


Mine-Action Success Story: Nepal, Stephen Robinson Jul 2010

Mine-Action Success Story: Nepal, Stephen Robinson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

After a decade of conflict in Nepal, the signing of the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement initiated mine clearance. By December 2009, all explosives in the Maoist cantonment sites had been eliminated. This article examines the extent of Nepal’s mine-action successes, while offering a number of lessons for mine-afflicted states to consider in their programs.


Profile: Clear Path International, Cisr Journal Jul 2010

Profile: Clear Path International, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Every year landmines kill or injure an estimated 24,000 people. The majority of these victims suffer long-term injuries, including the loss of a limb, a physical disability, post-traumatic stress disorder or permanent internal injuries due to shrapnel. Life for landmine victims is never the same, as they require treatment for more than just physical injuries. Many victims need psychological assistance and help finding their place in society, since landmine victims are often ostracized by society. Recovering from a landmine explosion is a life-long process. Clear Path International recognizes the need for landmine-survivor assistance and has taken great strides to help …


The Itf’S Role In Demining Serbia, Macedonia And Montenegro, Gregor Sancanin Jul 2010

The Itf’S Role In Demining Serbia, Macedonia And Montenegro, Gregor Sancanin

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance has been offering its services to Southeast Europe’s most war-affected countries since 1998. In states affected by the break-up of Yugoslavia, such as Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, this involvement has been critical to fulfilling the Ottawa Convention’s goals.


Physical Security And Stockpile Management, Dave Diaz Jul 2010

Physical Security And Stockpile Management, Dave Diaz

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Physical security and stockpile management is quickly becoming one of the most pressing threat-reduction issues the United States and other countries must address. Aging stockpiles of conventional weapons and increasingly unstable munitions from the Cold War or earlier pose a serious threat in many countries that no longer have a national-security need for them.


A Tribute To Dennis Barlow, John Noftsinger Apr 2010

A Tribute To Dennis Barlow, John Noftsinger

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

When I first met Dennis Barlow in the Senate Armed Services Conference Room on Capitol Hill in February 1996, he was dressed in his U.S. Army uniform. He had been summoned from his Pentagon office by Virginia’s Senior Senator John Warner to meet with James Madison University’s then-President Dr. Ronald Carrier and me. We engaged him in conversation, explained our purpose for the meeting and explored several ideas.


Ottawa Survey Results, Nicole Neitzey Apr 2010

Ottawa Survey Results, Nicole Neitzey

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In the last issue, The Journal ran an editorial by Dennis Barlow suggesting the Ottawa Convention should be amended to redefine the endstate required for clearance goals to be met. We then asked our readers to submit their opinion via a short online survey.


Building The Foundation For Sustainable Prosthetic And Orthotic Services In Cambodia, Michael Scott Apr 2010

Building The Foundation For Sustainable Prosthetic And Orthotic Services In Cambodia, Michael Scott

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Cambodia Trust was formed in 1989 to meet the rehabilitative needs of Cambodia’s many landmine survivors. Five years after its inception, the Trust helped establish the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, which has since provided invaluable services to Cambodia’s landmine survivors. This article explores the various ways rehabilitation services are being strengthened in Cambodia through this school and its partnership with other organizations.


An Analysis Of Mre Provisions In Recent Ma-Related Conventions, Gustavo Laurie Apr 2010

An Analysis Of Mre Provisions In Recent Ma-Related Conventions, Gustavo Laurie

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A trend in the international community regarding explosive remnants of war and mine action is the incorporation of mine-risk education, highlighting the effectiveness of the process as a tool to avoid accidents. MRE as a concept is an appropriate course of action for mine-affected countries, and thus is included in the most influential provisions and conventions.


Arwa: An Inspiring Story For Landmine Survivors, Mansour Al-Ezzi, Lauren Hill Apr 2010

Arwa: An Inspiring Story For Landmine Survivors, Mansour Al-Ezzi, Lauren Hill

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 1999, Arwa Ali Saeed Wais was herding sheep in Al-Atabat village in the Morais district of Al-Dhale’e governorate, Yemen. As was the tradition in Arwa’s village, she spent much of her childhood caring for her family’s sheep in the nearby mountainous area instead of attending school. When she was 10 years old, she stepped on a landmine. Her right leg was immediately torn off, and her left leg was severely damaged. She was sent to Ibn Khaldon Hospital in Lahj governorate, where she underwent an above-the-knee bilateral amputation. After she was discharged from the hospital, she returned home to …


“We Love Life!”: A Novel Approach To Explosive Remnants Of War, Kamel Sa'adi Apr 2010

“We Love Life!”: A Novel Approach To Explosive Remnants Of War, Kamel Sa'adi

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 2009 a team of nongovernmental organizations, academics and artists secured grant funding from the U.S. Department of State to use theater as a delivery method for mine-risk education. As a result, more than 7,000 Jordanian children have seen the highly successful stage play “We Love Life.”


Amending The Ottawa Convention: A Way Forward, Dennis Barlow Nov 2009

Amending The Ottawa Convention: A Way Forward, Dennis Barlow

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With clearance deadlines for States Parties to the Ottawa Convention approaching or having passed, and available humanitarian aid being spread among an exploding number of worthy activities, should mine-action programs be held to the stringent letter of the Convention? The author posits that, with a simple solution, States Parties can fulfill the spirit of the agreement while eliminating costly, time-consuming and inefficient clearance obligations.


The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 13.3 (2009), Cisr Journal Nov 2009

The Journal Of Erw And Mine Action Issue 13.3 (2009), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Focus: Enhancing Mine Action through Cooperation and Coordination | Feature: Mine Action in Complex Situations | Special Report: The Effect of IEDs on Mine Action | Notes from the Field | Research and Development


Mine-Risk Education In Nepal, 2009, Purna Shova Chitraker Nov 2009

Mine-Risk Education In Nepal, 2009, Purna Shova Chitraker

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Despite the signing of a 2006 peace agreement by the Nepalese government and the Maoists, Nepal’s mine clearance remains a work in progress due to the after-effects of its decade-long Maoist conflict and the emergence of small, armed groups. Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL) is at the forefront of the country’s mine-risk-education efforts. This article examines NCBL’s MRE program objectives, expectations, methods and achievements, as well as the many challenges it faces.


Usafricom's Approach To International Stability, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Usafricom's Approach To International Stability, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States Africa Command, created in 2007, is responsible for military relations in 53 African countries. Having assumed responsibilities formerly housed in three other combatant commands, USAFRICOM is now tasked with a broad range of humanitarian, military and policy objectives on the continent, including conducting mine action and remediating the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war. This article explores the massive tasks facing USAFRICOM as it stands up, and the ways in which the command is already making a much-needed difference.


Itf’S Experience With Regional Cooperation, Luka Buhin Nov 2009

Itf’S Experience With Regional Cooperation, Luka Buhin

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

A key element to the success of the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance, particularly in Southeast Europe, has been its facilitation of a regional approach to mine action and subsequent contributions to regional structures and systems. Encouraging regional cooperation is an important confidence-building measure, not only in countries emerging from conflict but also in countries undergoing transition. A regional approach has become one of the guiding principles of ITF’s work.


Fria, The Kurdish Mine Action Magazine, Cisr Journal Nov 2009

Fria, The Kurdish Mine Action Magazine, Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In 2007, the Fria Society for Mine Action Professionals published the inaugural issue of Fria, The Kurdish Mine Action Magazine. Founded in 2006, the FSMAP, a nongovernmental, nonprofit group based in Iraqi Kurdistan, began publishing the magazine out of a desire to improve training, education, and information-sharing among Kurdistan’s mine-action professionals. According to the magazine’s publisher and FSMAP Director, Jamal J. Hussein, the magazine “is the single mine-action magazine that publishes mine-action news and issues related to mine action in (the) Kurdish language in the region.” The magazine’s staff is comprised of a core group of FSMAP-affiliated mine-action professionals, including …


Ieds: A Major Threat For A Struggling Society, Pablo Esteban Parra Gallego Nov 2009

Ieds: A Major Threat For A Struggling Society, Pablo Esteban Parra Gallego

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The use of improvised explosive devices by guerrillas, drug cartels and paramilitary groups has threatened Colombian society for the past 30 years. This article examines the types of IEDs found in Colombia, and the extent and history of its IED problem. Also outlined are the Colombian government’s efforts to counter IEDs, and possible solutions to the challenges ahead, such as enhanced intelligence and community security.


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.


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.